YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
EE Classes Offered
What can the students do at Camp Erdman?
Camp Erdman offers you and your students many unique opportunities that
can not always be experienced in the classroom. Choose from the existing
list of curriculum or give us a call for any special needs that you may have
and we will do our best to meet those needs.
Choose from:
Environmental Classes
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(Environmental classes can be adapted to all ages)
Animal Adaptations
Beach Ecology
Bird Study
Critter Safari
Endangered Species
Geology
Mauka Hike
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Teambuilding/Recreational/Arts & Crafts
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Archery
Beast
Cooperative Games
Group Challenge Part I
Group Challenge Part II
Kamani Nut Necklaces
Map Masters
Nature Art
Orienteering
Swimming
(all ages)
th
(4 -6th grade)
(K-3rd grade)
(4th-6th grade)
(4th-6th grade)
(all ages)
rd
(K-3 grade)
(all ages)
th
(4 -6th grade)
(all ages)
Revised 7/10
YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
Class Descriptions
Environmental Classes
Animal Adaptations
A walk on the “Wild” side! Students get to experience our brand new Nature Room filled with live animals! Here
they will get the opportunity to handle some of the critters while learning about them. They will also
participate in activities that simulate the hardships and adaptations of predators and prey in the animal world.
Concepts such as adaptation, camouflage, and habitat will be presented and discussed in this class.
* This Nature Room runs completely on donations. If you would like to donate money to help take care of
the animals, or to sponsor a new animal, please contact the School Program’s Director.
Beach Ecology
Students will discover what Hawaii’s beaches are made of. They will find out what kind of plant and animal
communities exist on the beach, and how people affect the beach ecosystem. They will safely investigate all of
this using the beautiful beach right off Camp’s property.
Bird Study
Soar into the fascinating world of birds! Students learn about bird behavior, adaptations, and
amazing diversity. They will discuss the characteristics of a raptor and learn about predator prey
relationships. Working in pairs, students will get to dissect sanitized owl pellets and reconstruct
the skeleton of the owl’s prey.
YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
Class Descriptions
Critter Safari
Students will investigate the smaller things in life! They will learn about the similarities and differences of
creatures like insects, spiders, and creepy crawly centipedes. They will also discuss how these critters may
benefit humans and the environment. The students will then get to go on a safari around camp to hunt, capture,
and observe their findings.
Endangered Species
Through exciting games and activities, this class helps raise student’s awareness of the reality of endangered
animals and gives them ideas on how to preserve our environment to save these magnificent creatures.
Geology
Students will dig into the term Geology to unearth its true meaning. They will take an interactive journey with
their instructors through discussions and demonstrations to discover what our earth is made up of and how it
is affected by nature and humans. This is the class that the students have been waiting for because they are
allowed to get down and dirty while digging up layers of soil, or from constructing a volcano out of sand!
Mauka Hike
This ecological mountain journey covers both natural and cultural Hawaii through the use of various plant and
animal species found on the slopes of the Waianae Mountains. Students will see an area that once held a
powerful waterfall and riverbed, as well as explore “Crystal Cave.” Topics such as ecology, biotic, abiotic,
cycles, and change will be discussed along this trail.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Where does your trash go after it’s thrown away? What is recyclable in Hawaii? How can you reduce and reuse
things at home? Students will learn the answer to these questions and more as they participate in fun games
and activities, like papermaking.
YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
Class Descriptions
Teambuilding/Recreational/Arts & Crafts
Archery
A skill with a high learning curve, archery is always one of the student’s favorite classes. Knowledgeable
instructors will give the students a basic lesson in the parts of an arrow and how to safely use the equipment.
They will then test their new skills as they try for a Bulls eye! This class can also be used as part of Native
American studies by request.
(all ages)
Beast
A what? This class focuses on communication and takes the game of telephone to a new level! In this fun
activity, each small group must cooperate and communicate to re-create the original “Beast.”
(4th-6th Grade only please)
Cooperative Games
Communication and cooperation among children is an important concept that should be taught at an early age.
This class will begin to teach the younger students important teamwork skills through high energy and
extremely fun field games. This is a great activity to wear the students out!
(K-3rd Grade only please)
Group Challenge Part I
This is a great activity to break the ice and get the group focused on teamwork. Students go through a series
of challenging field initiatives to learn how to trust and communicate with one another. The students will not
go on the low ropes course during this activity. This is also a prerequisite to Group Challenge Part II.
(4th-6th Grade only please)
Group Challenge Part II
This is a more advanced teambuilding class. Building on the skills the students learn in Group Challenge Part I,
teamwork is taken to a higher level. The students may warm up with a couple of field initiatives and then are
taken to our low ropes course. They must work together to come up with their own plans to safely and
cooperatively get their entire group through each challenge. Please note that each group may face different
obstacles, as each instructor will create an individualized plan to develop the group most effectively. Group
Challenge Part I is a prerequisite for this class.
(4th-6th Grade only please)
YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
Class Descriptions
Kamani Nut Necklaces
Students will get a taste of a Hawaiian craft while they learn about the Kamani tree and its’ seeds; which are
still used today for many purposes. They will then test their sanding skills and creatively decorate their very
own kamani nut necklace. Students get to take their finished product home!
(all ages)
Map Masters
This is a journey into the world of maps that includes map reading, legend interpretation, and basic orientation.
This is followed by the students using maps to find a hidden message around camp.
(K-3rd Grade only please)
Nature Art
This class encourages the students to look at nature in a different way. The students will get their creative
juices flowing as they search for natural items around camp to use to make an animal art sculpture. Their
creature creation will get to follow them back home!
(all ages)
Orienteering
Students learn about the Earth’s magnetic field and how it relates to the way a compass works. Once they
learn about the parts of the compass and discover how to use it, the students will test their new skills to
navigate through our compass course. Advanced groups may look at how to read and use a map.
(4th-6th Grade)
Swimming
Cool off in Camp’s pool! Students must pass a quick swim test to go into the deep end and use the diving board.
Regulation swimwear is required. Please review the swimming pool policies with your students before you come
to camp,
Revised 7/10
YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
Evening Programs
Evening Programs at Camp Erdman
Our Camp Erdman staff can lead the following activities for you from 7:30-8:30pm your
first night and from 7:00pm-8:00pm the second evening. Each activity lasts about an hour.
On your last night here we will provide you with a campfire full of skits and songs
performed by our staff. This usually runs from 8:15-9:00pm. Please let us know ahead of
time if you would like to run your own campfire. You are welcome to bring your own
marshmallows and sticks to cook after our normal campfire time.
*Note: your entire school will be together during evening programs. If there are other
schools at Camp at the same time, you will have campfire together.
It is also your option to run your own evening programs, bring in any guest speakers, DJ’s, or
other entertainment. Just let us know ahead of time please.
Choose From:
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Action Auction
Astronomy
Camp Scavenger Hunt
Invention Convention
Liars Club
Movie
Night Explorers
Science Fair
Snacks
Camp Erdman will provide a snack and water for each student at the end of each evening
program. Snack selections are listed on the same page as your class selection list. We
encourage you to choose the healthier options to promote a healthy living style to your
students. You are welcome to bring your own snacks as long as it does not require the use of
the kitchen.
YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
Evening Program Descriptions
Action Auction
An excellent activity for teamwork and creativity! Students work as a team in their cabin groups to
creatively present items or creations to a panel of judges (staff). They must bring an assortment of
personal items with them to work with. An example of a creation may be: dress up someone in your
cabin like a Christmas tree. This is a great activity for the chaperones to be involved in.
Astronomy
What is a constellation? What is the closest star? How many planets are there in our solar system?
Learn the answers to these and other exciting questions as you take a magical journey with our staff
through our universe. Weather permitting; the students will spend the majority of the time outside
hunting constellations and looking at the moon through our telescope.
Camp Scavenger Hunt
Students work together in teams in search of particular items or information on camp. The students
have limited time so need to plan well. Everyone learns a little more about what makes this place so
great. It is fun and gets all of the students active and involved.
Invention Convention
How can an egg drop from a balcony without breaking? Students work together in teams to figure out
how to do this with using limited resources.
Liars Club
How well can you lie? This is a great activity for the chaperones and teachers to get involved in. The
adults will compete against the students by trying to lie to them about a random object. If the
students guess the adult who is telling the truth, then the students receive a point, but if the adults
can fool the students, then the adults are awarded the point. (Schools are welcome to bring their own
objects that they think will fool the students)
Movie
Don’t feel like having a high energy evening? How about popping in a movie? We can set up a movie
screen and a projector in one of our buildings. We can provide a movie, or bring one of your own.
Night Explorers
Why do we only see in black and white at night? How do other animals use their senses? This activity
takes the students outside at night and gives them a closer look at their senses by going through a
number of activities.
Science Fair
Explore the wonderful world of science through a series of interactive experiments with opportunities
for question and answer sessions with the “mad scientists” (the staff).
Revised 6/07
YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
Final Morning Activities
On the last morning your school is here, they will get to participate in a whole
school activity. If there is another school here that chooses the same activity, then
both schools will do the activity together.
Choose From:
International Games
Why do people play the games they do? Where did these games originate? Students explore and play
games that derived from other countries and cultures. Some games may seem familiar, while some
might seem quite odd, but all are fun!
Predator/Prey
This is an outstanding program focusing on the relationships between predators and their prey and
how they interact to form complex food webs in a native Hawaiian ecosystem. Students and adults play
the part of a predator or prey species as they seek to find their four basic needs of survival: shelter,
space, food, and water. Never a dull moment in the world of eat or be eaten!! (30 students minimum)
Olympics
The students will be divided into smaller teams that compete against each other in some of the
wackiest relays on earth. A great way to wear them out for the bus ride home!
Service Project
Feeling like you would like to give something back to Camp Erdman? You can! Let us know ahead of time
and we can figure out a 2 hour project for your students to work on and leave their mark at camp. It
could be picking up trash, raking, weeding, planting, or painting! It may even be something that you
want to start working on before you come to camp. Have any other creative ideas? Let us know!
Revised 6/07
YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
DOE Curriculum Standards- HCPS III
DOE Curriculum Standards
HCPS III
YMCA Camp Erdman’s Environmental Education classes and activities help supplement what the
students are learning in school. We have listed each class and the standards we believe match
according to the Hawaii Department of Education standards. We have only listed grades 3-6.
Environmental Classes
Animal Adaptations
• Grade 3 (SC.3.4.1 / SC.3.5.1)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.5.3 / SC.4.3.2)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.5.1)
Beach Ecology
• Grade 3 (SC.3.3.1 / SC.3.4.1 / SC.3.5.1 / SC.3.8.1 / SC.3.8.2 / SS.3.7.4)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.8.1 / SC.4.5.3 / SC.4.3.1/ SC.4.3.2 / SS.4.7.3)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.3.1 / SC.5.3.2)
• Grade 6 (SC.6.3.1 / SC.6.6.5 / SC.6.6.10)
Bird Study
• Grade 3 (SC.3.3.1 / SC.3.4.1 / SC.3.5.1)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.3.2 / SC.4.5.2 / SC.4.5.3)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.3.1 / SC.5.3.2)
• Grade 6 (SC.6.3.1)
Critter Safari
• Grade 3 (SC.3.3.1 / SC.3.4.1 / SC.3.5.1)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.3.2 / SC.4.5.2/ SC.4.5.3)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.3.1 / SC.5.3.2)
Endangered Species
• Grade 3 (SC.3.3.1 / SC.3.4.1 / SC.3.5.1 / SS.3.7.4)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.3.1 / SC.4.3.2 / SC.4.5.3 / SS.4.7.3)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.3.1 / SC.5.3.2)
• Grade 6 (SC.6.3.1)
Geology
• Grade 3 (SC.3.8.1 / SC.3.8.2 / SS.3.7.4)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.6.1 / SC.4.8.1 / SC.4.8.2 / SS.4.7.3)
• Grade 6 (SC.6.6.5)
Mauka Hike
• Grade 3 (SC.3.3.1 / SC.3.4.1 / SC.3.5.1 /SC.3.8.1 / SC.3.8.2 / SS.3.6.1 / SS.3.6.2)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.3.1 / SC.4.3.2 / SC.4.5.2 / SC.4.5.3 / SC.4.8.1)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.3.1 / SC.5.3.2)
• Grade 6 (SC.6.3.1/ SC.6.6.5)
• Grade 3-5 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Grade 3 (SS.3.7.4 / SS.3.8.2)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.2.1 / SS.4.7.3)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.2.1)
Teambuilding/Recreational/Arts & Crafts
Archery
• Grade 3-5 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2 / P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.2)
• Grade 6 (P.E.6-8.1.1 / P.E.6-8.1.2 / P.E.6-8.2.1 / P.E.6-8.2.3)
Beast
• Grade 4 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2 / WL.IE.4.2.1)
• Grade 5 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2 / WL.IE.5.1.1 / WL.IE.5.3.1)
• Grade 6 (WL.IS.6-8.1.1 / WL.IS.6-8.1.2/ WL.IS.6-8.1.3 / WL.IS.6-8.2.1)
Cooperative Games
• Grade 3 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2 / P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2 / WL.IE.3.1.1)
Group Challenge Part I
• Grade 4 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2/ P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2/ WL.IE.4.1.1)
• Grade 5 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2/ P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2/ WL.IE.5.1.1)
• Grade 6 (P.E.6-8.2.1 / P.E.6-8.2.3 / WL.IS.6-8.1.1 / WL.IS.6-8.1.2 / WL.IS.6-8.1.3 /
WL.IS.6-8.2.1)
Group Challenge Part II
• Grade 4 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2/ P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2/ WL.IE.4.1.1)
• Grade 5 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2/ P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2/ WL.IE.5.1.1)
• Grade 6 (P.E.6-8.2.1 / P.E.6-8.2.3 / WL.IS.6-8.1.1 / WL.IS.6-8.1.2 / WL.IS.6-8.1.3 /
WL.IS.6-8.2.1)
Kamani Nut Necklaces
• Grade 3 (FA.3.1.3 / SS.3.6.1 / SS.3.6.3/ WL.IE.3.4.1)
• Grade 4 (FA.4.1.4 / WL.IE.4.4.1)
Map Masters
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Grade 3 (SS.3.7.1 / WL.IE.3.2.1)
Nature Art
• Grade 3 (FA.3.1.1 / FA.3.1.3
• Grade 4 (FA.4.1.1)
• Grade 5 ( FA.5.1.1)
Orienteering
• Grade 4 (SC.4.7.1)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.7.1)
• Grade 6 (SC.6.7.1 / SC.6.7.2)
Evening Programs
Astronomy
• Grade 3 (SC.3.6.1 / SC.3.8.4)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.8.3)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.8.1 / SC.5.8.2 / SC.5.8.3 / SC.5.8.4)
Invention Convention
• Grade 4 (SC.4.1.1 /
• Grade 5 (SC.5.1.1 / SC.5.1.2 / SC.5.2.1)
• Grade 6 (SC.6.1.1 SC.6.1.2 / SC.6.7.1)
Science Fair
• Grade 3 (SC.3.1.1 / SC.3.6.2)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.1.1 / SC.4.6.1)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.1.1 / SC.5.6.1 / SC.5.6.2)
• Grade 6 (SC.6.1.1 / SC.6.6.1 / SC.6.6.3 / SC.6.6.6 / SC.6.6.8)
Final Day Activities
Predator/Prey
• Grade 3 (SC.3.3.1 / SC.3.5.1 / P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2/ P.E.3-5.2.1/ P.E.3-5.2.2)
• Grade 4 (SC.4.3.1 / SC.4.5.2./ P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2/ P.E.3-5.2.1/ P.E.3-5.2.2)
• Grade 5 (SC.5.3.1 / P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2/ P.E.3-5.2.1/ P.E.3-5.2.2)
• Grade 6 (SC.6.3.1 / P.E.6-8.1.1 / P.E.6-8.1.2 / P.E.6-8.2.3)
International Games
• Grade 3 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2 / P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2 / SS.3.6.1 /
SS.3.6.3 / SS.3.7.1 / SS.3.7.2 / SS.3.7.3 / WL.IE.3.4.1)
• Grade 4 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2 / P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2 / SS.4.6.1)
• Grade 5 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2 / P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2)
•
Grade 6 (P.E.6-8.1.1 / P.E.6-8.1.2 / P.E.6-8.2.3)
Olympics
• Grade 3 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2 / P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2)
• Grade 4 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2 / P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2)
• Grade 5 (P.E.3-5.1.1 / P.E.3-5.1.2 / P.E.3-5.1.3 / P.E.3-5.2.1 / P.E.3-5.2.2)
• Grade 6 (P.E.6-8.1.1 / P.E.6-8.1.2 / P.E.6-8.2.3)
YMCA Camp Erdman
Environmental Education Program
Daily Schedule
Sample Schedule
DAY 1
9:30
11:15
12:00
12:55
1:00
4:45
5:15
5:30
6:00
7:30
8:30
9:00
10:00
Arrival and Orientation ☺
Bag Lunch at campfire pit or monkey pod tree (please recycle)
Move into cabins
Meet at designated meeting spot
2 Daytime classes (run by camp staff)
Free Time (supervised by chaperones)
KP (Kitchen Party) reports to dining hall
Dinner
School Time or Free Time (run by school)
Evening Program (run by camp staff)
Snack
Back to cabins
Quiet Time
DAY 2
7:15
7:30
8:10
8:15
11:45
12:00
12:55
1:00
4:15
5:15
5:30
6:00
7:00
8:00
8:15
9:00
KP reports to dining hall
Breakfast
Meet at designated meeting spot
2 Daytime classes (run by camp staff)
KP reports to dining hall
Lunch
Meet at designated meeting spot
2 Daytime classes (run by camp staff)
Free Time (supervised by chaperones)
KP reports to dining hall
Dinner
School Time or Free Time (run by school)
Evening Program (run by camp staff)
Snack
Campfire! (Run by camp staff)
Back to cabins
DAY 3
6:30
Wake up, pack bags, clean cabin (take luggage to assigned building)
7:15
KP report to dining hall
7:30
Breakfast
8:30
Final morning activity
TBA
Camp clean up (trash pick up)
TBA
Lunch
TBA
Load buses and depart camp.
See you next year!!
*This schedule format can be adjusted slightly by request. Please give us enough notice to
make any changes. Thank you!
Revised 6/07