Oh my, did I really write this post FIVE years ago?! Well, I had to pull it out of the archives, since 
baby girl #2 just left for Harford Glen yesterday. Although most of my post could remain the same, just a few updates are needed -- updates like, substitute The Sydster's picture for The Courtster's picture, Jonas Brothers for One Direction, mp3 player for iPod/iPad/iWhatevs, and Hannah Montana for...well, you get the point!
Harford Glen: An Environmental Gem in Our Own Backyard
Harford County Schools are awesome.
O.K. so I'm a little biased since both of my girls are enrolled in Harford County Schools. Did I mention how pleased I was w/the full-day Kindergarten?
I just found out that my 10 yr-old will take part in the 5th grade outdoor environmental education program held at Harford Glen in November.
Harford Glen Environmental Education Center is conveniently located in Bel Air, Maryland just off Route 24 at the end of Wheel Road. The program's mission is nicely summarized in just one sentence found in their literature sent home to parents:
Using the theme of Environmental Stewardship, fifth graders learn about the world they live in and their role in protecting, conserving and improving natural resources.
Who knew?
We had the opportunity as a family to go to the orientation on-site and we're all just too excited now. Syd's especially excited because it's a residential program and she'll be sleeping in one of the many lodges, away from home, with all the other 5th-graders (the upper classmen!), for a couple days. Their teacher gets to camp out w/them and they're in class each of those 3 1/2 days just like regular school.
While exploring the grounds, we checked out the lodges. They reminded me of military barracks with rows of neatly arranged bunk beds. We explored the grounds. There's a stone-covered mansion house where the offices are currently located. There are campsites all around. Check out that pic of the cool half-buried shed.
We saw the themed classrooms, each dedicated to a different learning area of the environment, where the students will be during a good portion of the day. We gathered in the dining hall where the students will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and snacks each day.
Amazingly, the only expense to the students/family is the cost of meals, and that's just the nominal amount charged by Harford County Schools for breakfast and lunch.
I was impressed w/the experience that awaits my 5th grader.
Wait until she realizes there's no TV, Wii, Nintendo DS, Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, backyard trampoline, Webkinz.com, Club Penguin, Mp3 player, 5 Below , piano lesson w/Ms. Basham, basketball practice, or manicures for nearly 4 days!
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The author is a proud resident of Harford County and would love to help you find the perfect home in or around Bel Air (located in the Harford County School district!) for your family. Call me, I'm...
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