Curriculum

Our Core Curriculum:

The goals of this curriculum are to: 

1. Take the greatest advantage of Camp Kern’s unique educational resources.
2. Allow teachers to select what academic content standards they wish addressed.
3. Make less teaching demands on visiting schoolteachers.

• This option is geared toward school groups of between 25 and 100 students.
• Each activity group should include about 20 students.
• We will need one chaperone to go along on each of the activities.
• Evening programs and other details of camp life will not change from our “traditional “curriculum.

The bulk of the program time will be spent in a rotation through four activity sessions:

Field and Forest
Explore a Beach Maple climax growth forest and surrounding habitats. Topics and related activities can include: Forest Ecology, Plant Succession, Ornithology, Natural Cycles, Pond Study, Animal Tracks.

Teambuilding
Students will work together to problem solve a range of group challenges. Topics and related activities can include: Low initiatives, survival, compass course, and group games.

River Hike
Hike to the Little Miami River and explore the history, both human and natural, of the valley. Students will visit a 200-year-old stone house that once served as a tavern in the small riverside community. Topics and related activities can include: Geology, Fossil Hunting, Archeology, Stream Water Quality Monitoring, and aquatic biology.

Early Ohio
Visit an early 19th Century log cabin and a Native American wigwam. Topics and related activities can include: Pioneer and Native American Lifestyles, Pioneer Tools, Related Crafts, Candle Making.

We will also have a whole group activity on one of the afternoons. Options include:

Living History
Students begin by becoming Native Americans and take part in a series of activities followed by a reenactment of the Greenville Treaty of 1795. We then move forward to the year 1810 where your students become members of an American pioneer family. They will encounter our costumed staff and experience life on the Ohio frontier first-hand. 

Fort Ancient Hike
After a rigorous and scenic hike, students visit a 2000-year-old earthworks site and learn about their builders, the Hopewell People.  (SEE FEE SHEET FOR ADDED COST)

Native American Day
Students become Native Americans and take part in a series of activities followed by a reenactment of the Greenville Treaty of 1795. 

River Rafting
Enjoy a raft trip on the Little Miami River. Morgan’s Canoe Livery will provide “whitewater” rafts. This gives us optimum safety and allows for trips well beyond the typical canoeing season. (SEE FEE SHEET FOR ADDED COST)

 

Our Traditional Curriculum

This is for schools wanting a mix of Kern Staff and School Teacher led activities.

Natural History

• Trail of Time
  Hunt for fossils and explore our ever-changing earth.
  
• Kern Critters
  An exploration of pond life.
  
• In Cold Blood
  A close encounter with the cold-blooded animals. 
  
• Deep Woods
  Forest ecology taught on a hike through Kern’s 200-year old beech forest.
  
• Feathers and Beaks
  Learn about birds, their adaptations, and identification.
  
• Current Events
  An exploration of the Little Miami River, its formation, history and, water quality.
  
• River Rafting
  Enjoy a raft trip on the Little Miami River. Students will examine river ecology along a three-mile stretch of the river adjacent to camp. Morgan’s Canoe Livery will provide “whitewater” rafts. This gives us optimum safety and allows for trips well beyond the typical canoeing season.
  
• Round & Round
  This trail uses the concept of cycles to introduce students to the wonders around them.
  
• Feel the Flow
  Explore where energy flows in Camp Kern. From the photosynthesis of our forest to the lights and sounds in our new radio station. Also enjoy thermal transfer and a cold drink at our ice machine.
  

Early Ohio

Large Group Options :

• Living History
  Journey back in time to the early days of Ohio.  Your students encounter our costumed staff and experience life on the Ohio frontier first-hand. 
  
• Native American Day
  Students become Native Americans and take part in a series of activities followed by a reenactment of the Greenville Treaty of 1795. 
  
• Fort Ancient Hike
  A hike through the scenic Little Miami River Valley and Kern –led interpretive tours of the earthworks.  A museum tour is often available.
  

Small Group Options :

• Pioneer Homesteading
  Students learn about life on the Ohio frontier in out early 19th century log cabin.
  
• On Native Ground
  Experience Native American life through games, and other hands-on activities.
  
• Archaeology
  Students visit our unique “Sun Serpent” site, and try their hand at an excavation.
  
• Stones & Bones
  Explore the legends and lifestyles of Ohio’s early settlers at the pioneer cemetery.
  
• Old Tavern
  Explore the mysteries of Kern’s 1809 “Cross Keys” Tavern.
  

Character Development and Team Building

• Survival
  Challenges the students to build a fire, a shelter, and work cooperatively.
  
• Escape /Starways
  A group cooperation and obstacle course set in a theme of an enchanted pyramid or alien planet.
  
• Land of the Lost
  A map and compass course challenges students to navigate their way out.
  
• Climbing Wall
  Challenge your self on one of camp’s climbing towers. Indoor options available.
  
• Low Initiatives
  Teambuilding is strongly emphasizes in a variety of fun and challenging ground based activities.
  

Evening Activities and Other Large Group Options

• Campfire
  Songs, Skits, and Stories. Enjoy this traditional camp experience.
  
• Dutch Auction
  An easily led & zany game that teaches the value of owning a yellow toothbrush.
  
• Those Who Dared
  A slide show and game in which students journey to Ohio in pioneer times. Students purchase supplies – their success is determined by their choices.
  
• Creative Dramatics
  Teams of students receive the title of a legend (e.g.: How the Beaver Got a Flat tail.) They explain the legend through a skit they design and perform in front of the rest of the group.
  
• Pioneer Game
  An active outdoor game with “pioneers” trying to get supplies to their “fort.”
  
• Hoedown
  Square-dancing Kern-style.
  
• Clue
  Communication skills are tested in this outdoor version of the board game.
   
• Night Hike
  Kern staff will lead groups of students on a fascinating exploration of the night world.
  

Other Camp Activities

• Arts and Crafts
• Candle Making
• Weaving
• Digital Photography
• Radio Broadcasting
• Fishing
• Archery
• Pioneer Cooking
• Field Games
• Tracking
• Discovery Hikes
• River Hike
• Canoeing (on our lake or on the Little Miami River)
• Horseback Rides
• GPS Discovery Hike