Melanie Greene grew up in Manteca aware of the countryside, farming, and rivers literally in the city’s backyard.

That, however, is often not the case for many of the district’s current 25,600 students.

It is why Greene — who is now a district assistant superintendent — is a big advocate of Manteca Unified utilizing the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s Outdoor Education Center nestled between Airport Way and the San Joaquin River six miles south of Manteca.

It is there, Greene notes, district fourth graders can see up close what most just read about in books.

“They hike up and over the levee and explore the ecosystems,” Greene said of the school day field trips fourth graders to the former county park site.

It is just one portion of the district’s multi-faceted outdoor education effort aimed at enhancing the learning experience for elementary students.

Further underscoring the emphasis that the district places on outdoor education, trustees this year have authorized covering the $250 per student cost of the week fifth graders participate in what is known as science camp.

Most attend science camp at Sky Mountain, the SJCOE owned facility in the Sierra at 5,190 feet near Emigrant Gap on Placer County. A few schools attend science camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

And for students whose parents aren’t comfortable with the extended trip, the district offers an alternative day program for them at Durham Ferry when their classmates are at the other science camp facilities.

The district funding fifth garde science camp ended the need for students to raise $250 apiece in order to attend.

The ability of Manteca Unified to cover the tab is thanks to the district’s fiscal management.

Many districts in California are now facing budget crunches.

It is why Fresno Unified this week eliminated funding for all field trips district wide in its school system for kindergarten through sixth grade as part of broader budget cuts.

Education experts stress outdoor education improves academic performance, mental health, and social growth by moving learning outside traditional classroom

*Hands-on experiences help students remember information longer.

*Natural settings spark curiosity and make lessons more exciting.

*Brief time in nature restores attention and helps students concentrate indoors.

*Moving around outdoors builds cardiovascular health and motor skills.

Durham Ferry is more than just an outdoor education site.

Manteca Unified takes advantage of the SJCOE Venture Academy facilities at Durham Ferry to participate in engineering and tam building activities.

Durham Ferry also offers enrichment programs for students throughout the year that MUSD takes advantage of including intersession opportunities.

The facilities are also used for MUSD staff development.
Durham Ferry includes over 80 acres of wild riparian ecosystem.

It features miles of hiking trails, seasonal ponds, oak woodlands, picnic areas, a working farm, and outdoor educational programs.

There are outdoor pavilions, classrooms, and facilities available for educational use.

The regional STEM and outdoor educational facility consists of 200 acres overall.

Summer camps are also conducted at the facility.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com