Mr. Roosevelt's Neighborhood: A Changing Island Community" is a two and one-half hour program. It contains four related components that allow students to gain hands-on experience exploring the diverse community of plants and animals found on Theodore Roosevelt Island. A wonderful outdoor classroom, the island provides an ideal setting for examining such concepts as community, interrelationships and conservation. This program also exposes students to the life and ideals of Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th president and a dynamic naturalist, and to the history of the island that bears his name.

The student's experience begins with an encounter with the "legendary" naturalist, Zacchariah Chandler. With the Roosevelt Memorial as a backdrop, "Zack" introduces students to the island, the National Park Service and the community of life found around them. Students leave this encounter with a new friend and a sense of excitement about the adventure that awaits.

The program's second component provides the students with an opportunity for hands-on exploration of the island community. As young naturalists, students will be part of a team assigned to investigate the island community. These groups will then share their discoveries -- and their own sense of excitement -- with their fellow naturalists in the program's third component, the sharing session. This activity allows students to build their own model of the island's community while providing opportunities for discussion of interrelationships.

Following in the footsteps of a young Theodore Roosevelt, students will receive their own "Naturalist's Notebook" and be given the opportunity to make their first entries based on their Roosevelt Island experience. As the day ends, Zacchariah Chandler will return from his own wanderings to bid the students goodbye.

Logistics

National Park Service Rangers will greet your group in the Theodore Roosevelt Island parking lot. Your group will then be escorted to the island where the program will begin.
Group size is limited to 30 students. Prior to arriving at the island, divide your class into two groups of equal size.
The memorial area of the island provides a fine setting for lunch or a snack following the program. Bring bag lunches as food is not sold on the island.
While restroom facilities are available on the island, the location is not convenient to the main activity area. Encourage students to use the restrooms prior to coming to the island.