Yosemite Nature Notes: Yosemite Junior Nature School Notes

Yosemite Nature Notes

THE PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE NATURALIST DEPARTMENT AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION
Published Monthly

Volume XVI, June 1937, Number 6

Yosemite Junior Nature School Notes

By Walter G. Heil, Ranger-Naturalist

Each year the value of nature guidance for boys and girls and the foundations which it gives for conservation is being considered more and more. The appreciation and understanding that is gained fundamentally is vastly more important to them than it would be in later years. In Yosemite it is the purpose of the Junior Nature School to acquaint all children, who do so desire, with the natural history of the region and to point out the purpose of the National Parks as well as all phases of conservation. These ideals are not only held to be important to our youth but to future generations.

Soon after nature guiding was started in Yosemite in 1920 by Dr. H. C. Bryant, now Assistant Director of the National Park Service, special work was understaken for children. A schedule of Children's Nature Walks was carried out each summer. In 1930 Park Naturalist Harwell organized the Junior Nature School with daily sessions, age groupings, attendance requirements, and awards to stimulate and hold interest. The School has grown more popular each summer.

The 1936 summer meeting of the Yosemite Junior Nature School showed an increase in the numbers availing themselves of the activities of the school with a total enrollment of 410 children. There was an average attendance of 70 for the six weeks that the school was in session and as many as 119 attending on a single day. The activities consisted mostly of field instruction, observations and nature games; but in addition, four autocaravans, one Indian demonstration and a treasure hunt and picnic offered variation. Also considerable special time was spent with the Junior Leaders in addition to the regular program.