Nature

• Gardening and Trees
• Bees
• Animal Encounters
• Fall Call to Adventure / Spring into the Woods

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​Fall Call to Adventure/Spring into the Woods

Let’s go on an adventure. Every student at Pioneer Springs Community School has the opportunity to participate in experiential nature based adventures to kick off the school year and an capstone experience as a celebration in the Spring. Each adventure is planned to give students real world experiences that enhance grade level science standards. The adventures help our students make deeper connections to their grade level curriculum, make real environmental impact, and/or build a deeper sense of community.

The Fall Call to Adventure is a field trip held at the beginning of the school year.  Each grade level participates in an adventure unique to their grade level.
Kindergarten- The  Discovery Nature Museum  gives our students hands on experience with animals and learn about their lives during the seasons.  

1st- Students explore the Carolina Raptor Center to experience the amazing adaptations of raptors

2nd-Second grade students will experience Latta Nature Center through the world of scaly, slimy, creepy, and crawly animals

3rd-Schiele Museum in Gaston County to experience the Planetarium, learn about plants, and explore the museum

4th- Fourth grade students will help Reedy Creek Nature Preserve by learning about invasive plant species and helping eradicate them from the park.

​5th- Our fifth grade students get down and dirty with Fungi, Bacteria, and Insects at the McDowell Nature Center

6th- Archeology, nature, and teamwork await our sixth grade students on their trip to Kings Mountain.

7th- The Catawba River Keepers are partnering with the seventh grade students to do a service learning project. Students will participate in a kayaking river cleanup  adventure.

The Spring Into the Woods capstone experiences are overnight camping trips held from April to May of each year.  The adventures are planned to be developmentally appropriate based on grade level. Each adventure incorporates life skill development including independence, leadership, responsibility, and teamwork while focusing on grade level science standards. The Spring Into The Woods adventures provide students an opportunity to build deeper connections to the natural world.

Kindergarten- Evening mini camping and campfire experience on the PSCS campus.

​1st- Overnight camping experience on PSCS campus.

​2nd and 3rd- Overnight camping experience at Camp Weaver in Greensboro, NC. Students participate in several environmental and adventure classes including team building, canoeing, archery, orienteering, survival, and even blacksmithing.

4th and 5th- Students spend 2 nights at Camp Caraway in Sophia, NC. This camp is in the  Uwharrie Mountain region of NC. This experience ramps up the intensity of adventure as students participate in several long hikes exploring the beautiful sites of the camp’s 1500 acres. Participants learn about local history and ecology, build shelters,  climb a rock wall, canoe, participate in archery,and go on an amazing night hikes.

6th and 7th- Mountain Trail Outdoor School in Hendersonville, NC is the destination for our sixth and seventh grade students.  Spending 2 nights in the Blue Ridge Mtns. is an experience these students will never forget. From the environmental classes to the high ropes course, our students are immersed in ecology, team building, character development classes.  Students come home from the experience with a sense of accomplishment and deeper connection to their classmates and the natural world.

Student Adventure Fee