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Colin in Prague at the
World Environmental Education Congress
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Camp Cooper Director Colin Waite has been busy! Not only did Colin prepare and present for SVP Fast Pitch (read below), but Colin also travelled to the Czech Republic to attend the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) last month.
The congress is a leading global network of those working to develop
education for environment and sustainability. Colin represented Cooper Center, the University of Arizona, and Tucson Unified School District at WEEC, along with UArizona Research Scientist Dr. Corey Knox and College of Education Dean Bruce Johnson, who was a keynote speaker for the conference.
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Director Colin also visited Sedmihorky Environmental Center as part of the World Environmental Education Congress. The Center is located approximately an hour from Prague in a part of Czech Republic known as "Bohemian Paradise," and it is adjacent to a Unesco Global Geopark with a landscape much like Chiricahua
National Monument here in Arizona.
His visit to the Sedmihorky Environmental Center was an opportunity to learn more about their outdoor classrooms and to share the Cooper Center's approach to our own programs.
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Pravhoc Rocks Unesco Site in Bohemian Paradise
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The impacts of the Ukrainian war could be felt during the congress. Events were unfolding in real-time and refugees were being housed in the same
conference center as the WEEC. This experience gave Colin reason to reflect on the topic of environmentalism in times of war.
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"While it may be easy to look away or ignore what is happening when we are thousands of miles away in the United States, it is impossible to do so when living examples of war’s toll are right in front of you."You can read Colin's thoughtful op-ed on the topic here.
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Director Colin and Dr. Corey Knox present on Culturally Responsive Environmental Education and Teacher
Professional Development
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Colin also delivered reportage of the conference on Cooper Center's Facebook page. You can view more photos and information about Camp Cooper and Colin at the World Environmental Education Congress by clicking the post below:
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Teachers! There's still time to start your Moon Journal! Register for this unforgettable event!
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Moon Journals:
The
Intersection of Science, Literacy, and Art
Friday, April 29, 2022, 12:00 - 8:30 PM
Cooper Center for Environmental Learning
Cost: FREE
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Join us for an afternoon and evening of inquiry, writing, and art, all stemming from a moon journal.
Participants will keep a moon journal, a daily/nightly record of observations of the moon and day/night sky, for two weeks prior to the workshop.
Teachers should pack water and a snack. Partners for Equitable Science Instruction will be providing dinner with a vegan/vegetarian option. Dr. Larry Lebofsky, of the Planetary Science Institute, will be
our guest speaker between 6:30 p.m. - 7:30, p.m. when it will be dark enough for stargazing. As part of the workshop, Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will bring telescopes for night sky viewing after sunset. We hope you take advantage of this fabulous opportunity to spend time in nature, share a meal, explore possibilities for fully integrating curriculum, and sharing the wonder of our own dark skies.
About Guest Speaker Dr. Larry Lebofsky
Dr. Larry Lebofsky received his PhD in Astronomy in 1974 from the California Institute of Technology, where he studied the chemical composition of Saturn’s rings and icy satellites. Prior to joining PSI in 2008, he was a Senior Research Scientist at the University of Arizona Steward Observatory and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.
Moon Journals: The Intersection of Science, Literacy, and Art in partnership with Partners for Equitable Science Instruction is FREE to attend! We can offer to cover the cost to attend and the cost of substitutes thanks to generous funding from the Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund.
More information to help you get started will be provided when your registration is confirmed. Register for the Moon Journal Workshop here.
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Cooper Center and Colin at
Social Venture Partner Tucson's Fast Pitch!
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Fast Pitch participants receiving accolades and awards
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The hard work that goes into preparing a Social Venture Partners Fast Pitch finally culminated in one of the most inspiring evenings of the year when ten Fast Pitch participants, including Camp Cooper's own Colin Waite, each presented their impassioned three-minute "fast pitch"
The Cooper Center for Environmental Learning was among some incredible and moving non-profits and organizations currently striving to make things better for those who have genuine needs in our community. When Colin explained during his pitch the shocking statistics surrounding how much time children today spend in front of a screen versus time spent outdoors,
an audible gasp could be heard from the crowd.
We're extremely proud of Cooper Center for Environmental Learning Director, Colin Waite for participating in Social Venture Partners Tucson Fast Pitch and bringing more awareness to the importance of the Cooper Center and outdoor education for all children. The Cooper Center has received just over $10,000 in donations from individuals and local philanthropic foundations through participation in Fast Pitch!
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Director Colin receiving an oversized check
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Each Fast Pitch participant works to finely craft their pitch prior to the event with practice and coaching sessions from SVP Tucson members. The hard work doesn't end once the pitches have been presented, however. The process of participating also includes further development opportunities after the event to improve the goals and messaging for each organization. That means Colin isn't finished! He's still busy ensuring even more children have access to Camp Cooper and outdoor classrooms. Want to see Colin's fast pitch? The SVP Fast Pitch event is being broadcast on television! You can view the incredible Fast Pitch event:- Sunday, April 17th at 9am-10:30am
- Saturday, April 23rd at 7pm-8:30pm
You can also view the event on the SVP Tucson Youtube channel (timestamped to the Cooper Center presentation) here. Interested in learning more about Social Venture Partner's Fast Pitch? Click here.
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Camp Cooper Restroom Facility
Construction Update
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New restroom facilities at Camp Cooper.
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As part of the Cooper Center's strategic plan, upgrading the current restroom facilities that were built forty-five years ago with modern, eco-friendly bathrooms and showers is a phase of construction that had to be put on hold during the summer of 2021 due to the significant increase of construction costs.
The planned upgrade would provide double the access to restrooms and showers at Camp Cooper and will use less water and electricity than the current ones use. These restroom facilities will also improve the center's revenue stream by making the site a more attractive rental option.
We were successful at fundraising $600,00
of the estimated $1,000,000 construction cost of these new restrooms. Thanks to a $400,000 gift from one of our generous donors, construction plans are back on scheduled for Summer 2022!
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