CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Day classes led by Wahsega’s staff

ARCHERY

Goals: To introduce students to the basic components of a bow and how to properly use a bow.
Methods: Students will be introduced to some basic archery skills (safety, history, and shooting
techniques). Students will then use what they have learned to shoot targets on the archery range
using compound bows.
Skills: Patience, Listening & Following directions, Processing, Comprehension, Application,
Observation
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

ASTRONOMY

Goals: To increase the student’s knowledge of astronomy concepts and locations of common stars and
constellations.
Methods: Students are exposed to asterisms, constellations, stories related to the constellations,
significant stars, and planets using our inflatable star lab. Students also discuss the solar
system we all call home. They will also learn why and how our very own moon behaves the way it
does.
Skills: Observation, Literary Awareness, Creativity and Identification
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

TEAMBUILDING

Goals: To help students increase personal confidence, build mutual support within a peer group, and
aid in understanding the importance of planning and cooperation.
Methods: Students will go through a series of activities designed to give students clearly defined
mental and physical problems to solve. The challenges offer students the opportunity to stretch
beyond their boundaries in a safe environment, allowing growth in self-awareness and
self-confidence. The challenge course elements are designed to force students to plan and work
together as a team to solve the specific problems presented.
Skills: Leadership, Cooperation, Coordination, Mutual respect, Discipline, Patience, Listening,
Processing, Oral communication, Following directions
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

ENTOMOLOGY

Goals: To discover how diverse the insect kingdom is, become aware of the traits that enable
insects to survive in their habitats and understand the role of insects in relation to other living
things.
Methods: Students learn the characteristics and body parts of insects. Also, students explore
different habitat areas around Wahsega observing, collecting and gathering information about
insects.
Skills: Observation, Identification, Classification, Comparing Similarities and Differences,
Matching, Pro- cessing Skills, and Problem Solving Skills
What to wear:  Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.  This class is held indoors.

FOREST ECOLOGY

Goals: To help students understand and appreciate the relationships and inter-dependency that
characterizes a forest ecosystem.
Methods: Students will participate in a group discussion exploring the implications of community.
While hiking on a trail, students will participate in activities that illustrate the life cycles
that exist in the forest and search for signs of the members of that community.
Skills: Observation, Identification, Classification, Comparing & Contrasting, Analyzing, Processing
Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Comprehension, and Sensory Awareness Skills
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

Geocaching

Goals: To introduce students to the use and benefits of the Global Positions Systems (GPS units) through fun geocaching courses located throughout the center.
Methods: Students will be instructed on how to use Garmin eTrex10 handheld GPS units and independently enter and find waypoints using GPS coordinates.
Skills: Application, Discipline & Patience, Listening & Following Directions, Navigation, Psychomotor Development
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

HERPETOLOGY

Goals: To introduce students to characteristics, differences, and roles of reptiles and amphibians.
Methods: After participating in a group discussion to identify characteristics of reptiles and
amphibians students will have the opportunity to handle live specimens.
Skills: Observation, Application, Classification, Description, Comparing Similarities & Differences, Reading, animal handling

What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.  This class takes place indoors.

 

FLYING SQUIRREL

Goals: To use the Flying Squirrel  challenge element to help students in 5th grade or higher identify and then overcome self-imposed limitations.
Methods:  Students will be instructed in appropriate safety
methods and equipment usage before beginning. With the support of their peers and Wahsega staff members, students will be encouraged to accept the challenge presented by the element and then accomplish the goal of the element as set out by Wahsega staff members.
Skills: Identification, Analyzing, Problem Solving, and Comprehension
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
Note: There are limited slots for Flying Squirrel. Teachers must speak with the program coordinator to check availability before selecting this class.  There is an additional $10 per participant charge for the Flying Squirrel class.

CLIMBING WALL

Goals: To use the Climbing Wall challenge element to help students in 5th grade or higher identify and  then overcome self-imposed limitations.
Methods:  Students will be instructed in appropriate safety
methods and equipment usage before beginning. With the support of their peers and Wahsega staff members, students will be encouraged to accept the challenge presented by the element and then accomplish the goal of the element as set out by Wahsega staff members.
Skills: Identification, Analyzing, Problem Solving, and Comprehension
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.
Note: There are limited slots for Climbing Wall. Teachers must speak with the program coordinator to check availability before selecting this class.  There is an additional $10 per participant charge for the Climbing Wall class.

 PIONEER LIFE

Goals: Through observation and participation students explore the life of the Pioneers of North
Georgia.

Methods: Students will participate in a group discussion about the effects of Europeans in
Georgia on Native Americans. In addition they will use tools of the early settlers to explore the
nature of daily life during this time period, pan for gold, make candles, and end class with a
discussion on technological advances and how their life might be different if they were alive
during the time of the Georgia gold rush.
Skills: Coordination, Discipline & Patience, Listening, and Following Directions
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

 STREAM ECOLOGY

Goals: To aid students in their understanding and appreciation of the importance of the water
cycle; recognize differences in the life stages of aquatic animals as they grow and discover the
diversity of animals that live in a stream. Students also learn to distinguish the difference
between healthy streams and unhealthy streams.
Methods: The students will participate in activities that enhance their understanding of the water
cycle and aquatic ecosystems; students also capture, identify, and observe stream animals.
Skills: Observation, Inference, Identification, Collecting, Classifying & Categorizing, Comparing
Similarities & Differences, Matching, Recognition, and Critter Catching
What to wear: Clothes and shoes that can get wet are strongly suggested. Students have the option
of getting into the stream.

SURVIVAL

Goals: To teach skills and techniques which help prevent students from getting lost in the woods
and what to do if they become lost. Students will learn to set up a survival camp and will
demonstrate under- standing of basic survival needs and how to fulfill these needs in the
wilderness.
Methods: Activities are incorporated into discussion about how not to get lost and the five basic
survival needs. Students decide what items and methods should be utilized. Students are challenged
to construct a survival shelter.

Skills: Problem Solving, Inference, Observation, Psychomotor Development, and Cooperation
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

WILDLIFE

Goals: To help students understand some of the natural processes that affect the wildlife of the
Chattahoochee National Forest, their habitat and how human activity affects wildlife.
Methods: Students will participate in activities that enhance their understanding of the essential
components of habitats, the importance of good habitat for animals, what limiting factors affect
animals and the importance of predator/prey relationships.
Skills: Generalization, Psychomotor Development, Graphing, Application, Comparing Similarities &
Differences
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

Wahsega Rec Time

Day classes – teacher-led options

DISCOVERY HIKE

ONLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS.

Goals: Students will explore characteristics of organisms found in the forest around Wahsega and
consider their interactions with each other and the environment.
Methods: A hike along a trail in the national forest is marked by several stopping points, each
presenting students with a question or challenge.
Materials: Hiking guide for group leader, worksheets, pencils
Skills: Observation, Compare/contrast, Analyzing, Identification and Comprehension
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

WILDERNESS ART

ONLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS.

Select an educational and artistic project for your students to complete in this 1 ½ hour class
time. You will need to provide instructions and materials. Work with the Program Coordinator to
determine if your project is a good fit for the schedule and facilities.  Wahsega can provide the supplies for Nature Sketching.

Goals: Students use various mediums to explore environmental education concepts.
Methods: Hike out into the woods and choose a natural scene to capture. Using pastels and crayons
students will sketch nature scenes.
Materials: crayons, pastels, paper.
Skills: Problem Solving, Hypotheses Formulating and Testing, Aesthetic Sensitivity, and Dexterity
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

Evening classes led by Wahsega’s staff

REPTILE APPRECIATION

May not be taken with Herpetology

Goals: To introduce students to this often misunderstood crawling reptiles as well as explain physical characteristics.
Methods: Students will participate in a discussion discerning fact from fiction. Students will also get a chance to touch or hold a live reptiles during the class.
Skills: Listening, Observation, Comparing Similarities and Differences, and Following Directions
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

NIGHT WILDLIFE

Goals: To help students understand and distinguish between nocturnal and diurnal animal traits.
Methods: Students participate in activities and games that aid in their discovery of nocturnal
animal traits.

Skills: Observation, Problem Solving, Classification, Inference, Investigation, and Processing
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

SENSORY AWARENESS

Goals: To increase the student’s awareness of their various senses and illustrate how dependent hu-
mans are on the sense of sight.
Methods: Students participate in multi-sensory exercises illustrating the limitations of human
sensory organs at night.
Skills: Listening, Observation, Classification, Coordination and Independence
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

Evening classes – teacher-led options

CAMPFIRE SONGS, SKITS & STORIES

USUALLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS, WAHSEGA’S STAFF CAN LEAD THIS AS WELL.  ROASTING STICKS ARE AVAILABLE FOR S’MORES AT CAMPFIRE.  FOOD ITEMS ARE NOT PROVIDED.
Goals: To provide students with the opportunity to interact socially in an educational and entertaining setting.
Methods: Students participate in songs, skits and stories at a campfire.
Skills: Oral Communication, Cooperation, Observation, Listening, Acting and Public Speaking
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

DANCE PARTY

ONLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS
Teachers who wish to have a dance in the Rec. Hall for their students may do so. Please communicate
with Wahsega’s Program Coordinator when making these plans.
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

MOVIE IN THE REC HALL

ONLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL LEAD THIS.
Teachers who wish to show a movie in the Rec. hall may do so. Please communicate with Wahsega’s
Program Coordinator when making these plans. You will need to bring your own movie. Snacks are not
allowed in the Rec. hall.
What to wear: Shoes with heel straps. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

HISTORIC GAMES

USUALLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS, WAHSEGA’S STAFF CAN
LEAD THIS AS WELL.
Goals: To allow students to experience non-traditional physical activities, introduce them to other
cultures, and show students how other cultures used games to teach lessons or make decisions.
Methods: Students participate in a series of active games similar to those played by Native
American people or pioneers.
Skills: Discipline, Agility, Communication, Processing Skills, Patience, Listening, Observation and
Psychomotor Development
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

NEW GAMES

USUALLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL TEACH THIS CLASS, WAHSEGA’S STAFF CAN LEAD THIS AS
WELL.
Goals: To enable students to increase their agility, trust and cooperation within a group using
non- traditional physical activities.
Methods: Students participate in a series of active physical activities designed to build group
cooperation and trust.
Skills: Problem Solving, Processing, Discipline, Psychomotor Development, and Oral Communication
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.

RECREATION TIME

USUALLY TEACHERS FROM THE SCHOOL LEAD THIS, WAHSEGA’S STAFF CAN LEAD THIS AS
WELL.
Goals: To encourage students to use teamwork to reach a common goal, to encourage physical activity while having fun and to demonstrate to students that they can enjoy themselves while staying within the structure set forth by the rules of the games.

Methods:  Students can participate in a variety of activities available at the Wahsega 4-H Center Recreation Field. Activities always set up are: Gaga Ball, Tether Ball, Volleyball, and Basketball. Ultimate Frisbee can be set-up if requested.
Skills: Discipline, Agility, Verbal and non-verbal communication, Patience, Cooperation, Team skills
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes are required. Otherwise, comfortable clothing.