UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Older adults who love being around children and nature are needed for a new intergenerational environmental program sponsored by Penn State's Shaver's Creek Environmental Center and Penn State Cooperative Extension. The program is designed to demonstrate that older adult volunteers can have a positive impact on young people's learning when they participate in environmental education programs.

"Intergenerational Outdoor School" is a weeklong program beginning Monday, Sept. 23 at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center. The school will bring together fifth-grade students and older adults to learn about the natural world and gain insight into each other's lives, including their values of caring for the environment. This unique outdoor experience will feature natural history mini-lessons, discovery walks and community values discussions.

"We believe that, as a society, we need to nurture opportunities for people of all generations to have dialogue about taking care of the environment," says program coordinator Shih-Tsen (Nike) Liu, graduate student in Penn State's agricultural and extension education department. "We hope to start a trend in environmental education centers, where older adults regularly join young people in their learning and service experiences."

John Buzzell, a retired research chemist who was the first senior adult to sign up for the program, explains, "For 40 years, I have had a love of the woods. In recent years, this has grown into a personal commitment for taking care of our forest resources. The only way I can see keeping this wonderful resource for future generations is to figure out ways to interest young people in nature and to foster in them a sense of stewardship."

Any individuals age 55 or older who are interested in sharing their enthusiasm and interests in exploring and discussing nature with children are encouraged to join the program. Older adults will be asked to volunteer their time and experience for about 4 hours a day during the weeks of Sept. 23 or Oct. 7. Prior experience and background in education are not necessary.

Meals and a short training session will be provided. The nature center is approximately 14 miles south of downtown State College. (Take W. College Ave. to Pine Grove Mills, turn left on Route 26 to go over a mountain, and then follow the signs after turning right on Charter Oak Road.)

For more information including the dates of orientation sessions, contact Nike Liu by phone at 814-863-7877, by mail at 414 Agricultural Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802, or via e-mail at SXL234@psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Nike Liu at 814-863-7877 or SXL234@psu.edu.

Contact: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax #217