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Environmental Center

Environmental Center (9)

Friday, 15 September 2023 08:43

Lessons for Teacher Led Activities

Written by

Resized Animal Wall

Below you will find links to lessons designed to be led by teachers at the Environmental Center.

We have found that these resources can be helpful for teacher led rotations. 

 

Nature Room Lessons

2nd Grade Activity Guide

3rd Grade Activity Guide

4th Grade Activity Guide

5th Grade Activity Guide 

Outdoor Teacher Led Activity Resources

Hatchet Throwing Rules and Guide

Outdoor Challenge Activities Teacher Guide - Coming Soon

Nature Hike Teacher Guide - Coming Soon

Wednesday, 26 October 2016 14:13

Weather Station and Air Quality

Written by

weatherstationWeather

Proud to be part of the Mesowest weather network, the Environmental Center weather station provides current and historical weather data for the area click here . Mesowest is a University of Utah sponsored network of weather stations that provide weather data that assist forecasters and computer models with ground based real time weather information.

Spend some time at the sight adjusting the viewing parameters to see what happened here yesterday, last week, last month or last year. Check out other sites in Weber County and around the state. Mesowest is truly a valuable tool for those interested in weather in Utah and beyond.

 

Air Quality.

A global network of Air Quality sampling stations allow you to see what the PM 2.5 level is in your area.  Search for "Purple Air." 

Near the Swanson's North Fork Environmental Center are two (8) stations, 

https://www.purpleair.com/map?#14.62/41.33846/-111.84832 

and 

https://www.purpleair.com/map?#13.6/41.3775/-111.86674 .  

Link to those stations to get a good idea what the air quality is at the Center and compare it to stations near your school.

Let's work together to see just what the air quality problem is and how we can reduce levels of harmful pollutants.

 

Things you can do:

Reduce vehicle idle time.

link your errands so you drive less.

When buying a vehicle consider fuel efficiency and zero emission vehicles as you make your choice.

If you have a wood burning stove replace it with a natural gas stove or clean burning wood stove.  There are grants available to do just that. https://deq.utah.gov/air-quality/wood-stove-conversion-assistance-program

 

Wednesday, 26 October 2016 13:52

Staff Directory (Environmental Center)

Written by

Bowen, Grant

PT Custodian

NORT FORK ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER (801) 745-2057
 

Wednesday, 26 October 2016 13:46

Scheduling Information

Written by

For the current school year ('23-'24 including the summer of '24)

To schedule the center for the current school year, look through the calendar below and find an open date or dates that suit your needs.

Email Ben Prall at  with your desired date(s) and infromation about your group. Ben will work with you to finalize dates and details.

You may also call Ben at 801-745-2057 but he is often out of the office so leave a message and he will get back to you. Groups outside of Weber School District may begin scheduling dates after Oct. 1 of each year.

For the next school year ('24-'25 including the summer of '25)

Scheduling for the next school year begins March 1 and is on a first come first served basis. Notification of next year's schedule is sent out to all applicants in May. After May 1st, check the "Days Still Open" page for available dates and then email Ben Prall at  with your desired date(s) and infromation about your group. Ben will work with you to finalize dates and details.. Groups outside of Weber School District may begin scheduling dates after Oct. 1 of each year.

What its all about

Field trips to the Center are all about helping kids have a powerful and fun learning experience. The Center is a place where students can be out in a mountain environment to see and feel the interactions there. It is a place where students can be challenged with fun and exciting activities they will remember for a lifetime. 
Field trips also aim to build teamwork and cooperation and to allow students to discover new things about themselves and their abilities.

To accomplish these objectives we must limit the number of people at the Center at one time.  Maximum group size target is 80 people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, 26 October 2016 13:41

Materials and Equipment

Written by

Picture of snow shoe equipment.

The Environmental Center has materials and equipment to help you engage your students during your time at the Center.

Below is a list of available materials:

Audio-Visual

  • Sound System: Amplifier, computer, VCR, BluRay Player
  • LCD projector and big screen
  • microphone

Paper

  • Big rolls 36" wide in colors
  • Scratch paper

Writing Materials

  • Chalk
  • Crayons
  • Magic markers
  • Pencils

Art-Craft

  • Staplers and staples
  • Masking tape
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Lap boards 

Cooking (Outdoors)

  • Dutch ovens (5-#14)
  • 8 burner Propane Grill with two skillets
  • Propane fire bowl for marshmallow roasting
  • Fire pit
  • Water jugs
  • Ice Chest

Science Materials

  • 8x hand lenses 
  • Microscope  Lab with 26 scopes
  • Compasses 
  • GPS units (35)
  • Telescopes (3)
  • Bird books
  • Mammal books
  • Digital Thermometers (5)
  • Infra-red thermometers (15)
  • Avalanche transceivers (10)
  • Snow science tools like shovels (36), probe poles (5), crystal size cards (12), clinometers (5)

Recreation

  • Indoor climbing walls (2)
  • Outdoor volleyball court
  • Ping pong tables (8)
  • Hiking trails
  • Cross-country skis and groomed trails (200 pair and 25 km of trails)
  • Snowshoes (155 pair)
  • 9 holes of disc golf and discs
  • 10 lane archery range with equipment
  • Speed Stackers
  • Tomahawk throwing (9 targets, 27 tomahawks)
Wednesday, 26 October 2016 13:35

Driving Directions - 4840 N. 2250 E. Eden Utah 84310

Written by

 USE GOOGLE MAPSDO NOT USE MAPQUEST or Apple Maps (They take you to the wrong place)

From Ogden Canyon

  • Travel east on 12th street, up Ogden Canyon to Pineview dam.
  • Turn left across the dam (or proceed around through Huntsville if the dam road is closed) and follow the highway to the 4-way stop by Valley Market in downtown Eden.
  • Turn left and drive for 2.9 miles, on hwy 162 past Snowcrest Jr. High, to 4100 N. where there is a 3-way stop.
  • Turn left and travel West for.2 miles.
  • Turn right on 3300 E. and travel North for 1.3 miles.
  • Turn left on 5100 N. (formerly Shhaw Drive) and drive West the 1.5 miles to the Environmental Center black archway sign and the parking lot.
  • Park your vehicle in the parking lot and walk the .5 miles up to the Environmental Center.

From North Ogden Divide

  • Turn left on 3300 E. in Liberty like you were headed to Avon and North Fork Park. 
  • Travel North for 1.3 miles.
  • Turn left on 5100 N. and drive West the 1.5 miles to the Environmental Center black archway sign and the parking lot.
  • Park your vehicle in the parking lot and walk the .5 miles to the Environmental Center.
Wednesday, 26 October 2016 13:23

Calendar of Availability

Written by

We are currently only making reservations for Weber District groups.  

Please see calendar below to for availability.

We are currently only making reservations for WSD groups. Groups outside of WSD can make reservations starting Oct. 1

If you are looking for a weekend, holiday or have any other questions email Ben Prall at

Wednesday, 26 October 2016 13:17

Activity Ideas

Written by

red coatResized North and West Wall Resized Moose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a lot of fun things to do at the Environmental Center. 

Some ideas include:

  • Nature Discovery Room

  • Hikes, short and long, "See map"   Trail Distances

  • Geocaching

  • Disc Golf

  • Archery

  • Tomahawk Tossing

  • Cross country skiing

  • Snowshoeing

  • Igloo/snowcave building

  • Snow science

  • Avalanche basics

  • Nature Hike (with hand lenses or field microscopes)

  • Microscope Lab (part of Nature Discovery Room)

  • Indoor bouldering wall

  • Ping pong

  • Volleyball

  • Scale model of the solar system

  • Team building activities (Spider web, Caterpillar walk, Stump Challenge, Platform)

 

Summer Activities:

Ask your teacher for more details.

  • Band Camp

  • High School Choirs

  • Student Government training

  • Hope Squad training

Contact Ben Prall , the teacher/facilitator, for more ideas or adaptations for your group.

 

Explore on your own:

Places to go and explore:

Wednesday, 26 October 2016 11:06

Swanson's North Fork Environmental Center

Written by

Benjamin Prall Environmental Center Teacher (801) 745-2057

Benjamin Prall

Environmental Center Teacher

(801) 745-2057

Swanson's North Fork Environmental Center is dedicated to providing a safe outdoor experience for students K-12, helping them understand core curriculum and the workings of the natural world.  Consider it your destination field trip spot.

Picture of Environmental Center in SummerPicture of Environmental Center in Winter

Mission Statement

The Environmental Center will be a facility and a setting for all students to safely learn about the workings of nature, about themselves, and to build positive relationships with each other and the natural world. 

Experience

Experience the joy of learning in nature's laboratory. Through recreational pursuits kids will learn about nature and themselves. 

Serving grades K-12 the Center provides a central lodge with kitchen, dining and restroom facilities. Equipment for activities year round is available at the Center.

The Center provides a natural setting for a fine field trip, that will provide fun and great memories. The Center can be used to teach key scientific concepts that may be hard in the traditional classroom.

The Center can also be a great location for Team Building and student conferences. A great location for student and teacher leaders to build unity while learning and working.