SPRUCE RUN ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

Spruce Run Environmental Study Center will once again host FREE family weekend programming for all CCS staff, students and their families. Family programming is also open to the general public. Programming will occur one Saturday a month from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. For your family's convenience, programming will follow an "open house" format so you can come and go through the day as you please. Some programs will state specific times for certain activities that will happen during that particular day. Occasionally, you may be asked to sign up for an activity. See details of programming below. ALL PROGRAMS WILL HAPPEN RAIN, SNOW or SHINE.

Twelve students from Columbus Alternative High School will be at Spruce Run each Wednesday throughout the school year for an internship program at the center. During these working Wednesdays the students will intern with staff members at the center on a wide variety of different projects: functioning as day camp counselors, conducting research, working with field scientists and leading land management initiatives.

Last year, was the first time that Beechcroft HS brought students from their multiple handicap unit to Spruce Run. This week, the students returned but for a day of volunteering. These students enjoyed their day of giving back and had a lot of fun doing it! Thanks to them, Spruce has a new twig rack near the firepit which is fully stocked with twigs to start our fires. The center is now ready for bonfires and "smore" season.

On November 7th and 8th, our Spruce Run interns will join the Columbus Zoo and over 100 high school students from all over the state of Ohio, for a two-day youth summit. The Teen Eco Summit combines inspiring guest speakers, DIY workshops and of course, cool animals! Students will leave this Summit with a Conservation Action Plan ready to be implemented at CAHS / Spruce Run.

During the Columbus City School Board meeting held on October 2, 2018, Geri Granger, Educational Programming Coordinator at Spruce Run was given the opportunity to say, thank you to the board, inturn, the board gave Spruce a "magic wand" concerning programming.

Forward to video segment: 52:28 - 1:06:38

Please consider donating to the "Adopt A Bus" champaign. It only takes $175 to adopt a bus which brings 50 students to the center for outdoor programming. The goal is $5,250 which will allow for 30 days more of programming reaching approximately 1,500 students. Any donation amount is appreciated. For more information contact Geri Granger ggranger9556@columbus.k12.oh.us

Contact Geri Granger via cell 614.286.9494 or email ggranger9556@columbus.k12.oh.us

Spruce Run Handbook can be found on the Science Department's website. http://www.ccsoh.us/sprucerun.aspx

Become a volunteer. All you need is an enthusiasm for nature and the great outdoors, a willingness to learn and a desire to share with others! Volunteer hours are flexible and will depend on your chosen job area(s). No previous training is needed: training programs will be provided.

Currently we need volunteers in the following areas:

Office: answer telephone, filing, organizing supplies for school group activities

Horticulture: working in the greenhouse, raised bed, landscaping maintenance

Naturalist: sharing your personal "Nature Hobby" such as birding or rock collecting with student groups

Maintenance: general upkeep of the buildings and grounds

Scout Specialist: working with troops, or individual scouts on badges, scouting projects and volunteering opportunities at Spruce Run

Contact Geri Granger for more information: ggranger9556@columbus.k12.oh.us

Email: ggranger9556@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: http://www.ccsoh.us/sprucerun.aspx
Location: 4175 Sunbury Road, Galena, OH, United States
Phone: 7409652676