So Nickie, we're out in back of the Children's Tree House,
and we're looking at a project you have going right now.
You're constructing an outdoor classroom.
And I see from what you have here, you're going to build a
classroom to connect children with nature.
They're going to use this as a gateway to go out into nature
and become more comfortable with it.
Tell me a little bit more about what it's going to look
like and how you're going to build it.
This outdoor classroom is going to
be absolutely amazing.
The children are going to be able to come out into this
beautiful area and learn all about nature
by playing in nature.
There's going to be all natural materials that they're
going to use.
There's tree cookies and all different things they can
build with.
We're actually going to use the Sycamore tree as a focus
point for our classroom, and we're going to build a tree
house in it for them.
So the Children's Tree House will actually have a tree
house for them to be in.
Wow, that's really great.
Now, I sort of understand the concept.
You're going to build this classroom.
The kids are going to become more
comfortable with being outdoors.
They're going to use this as a transition to take that step
actually out into nature.
This is a fantastic.
Yeah, it's really cool, Jay.
And just wait to see what it looks like when it's done.
So Nickie, here we are back at the Nature Explore classroom.
Last time I was here, you promised me cookies and milk.
I think this is one of the cookies you've offered me, but
it doesn't look like a cookie to me that I'm used to.
Tell me about what it is.
Well, Jay, those aren't your ordinary cookies.
Those are called tree cookies, and we're using them
throughout the classroom for flooring for the kids to walk
on underneath different areas.
And the coolest part about having these tree cookies is,
up in our building area, the kids get to build with these.
Wow.
Well, I look around and you've made lots of
progress around here.
I see the stone foundations.
I see several platforms.
I see a lot of work in progress.
You've come a long way.
Tell me about how it's been going.
It's been going very well.
The Harper's Ferry Job Corps students have been working
really hard to get this classroom put together.
They've put in flagstone foundations for some of our
different areas, and they've even built us a stage for the
kids to dance and sing on.
Wow.
Well thanks for inviting me down.
I'm really, really looking forward to coming down and
seeing the kids explore the classroom, but then I'm also
looking forward to see those kids get out in nature
afterwards too.
So thanks again.
I'll be looking forward to coming back.
It's just around the corner, Jay.
Thanks.
So Nickie, we're back out here at the Nature Explore
classroom today at the Children's Tree House.
I see you've installed a lot of features so far.
Things are up and running, the kids are out here playing.
As I understand it, you're going to be putting some other
features in in the future as well, is that right?
Yes, we will be Jay.
And did you know that this is the first certified Nature
Explore classroom in the whole state of West Virginia?
That's really fantastic.
We're going to be using this as a classroom for Fish and
Wildlife Service people too.
They're not necessarily going to come out here and play, but
they're going to come look at it.
And we'll be able to get that concept to them so they can
take it back to their unit and perhaps build one.
Right now we have the Creston National Fish Hatchery
building one this summer.
They're using Tribal Conservation Corps students to
help build it, just like we used Harper's Ferry Job Corps
students to build this one.
This has been an absolutely awesome project, and it truly
has taken a village to get it done.
You want to go check it out?
Absolutely.
Let's go look at it and play.
All right. Cool.
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