Our current projects include on-going educational programs with the Geauga Park District such as Nature Scopes and The Chip Henry Institute. The Geauga Skywatchers Club was created through collaborations with various organizations. The Foundation continues to support conservation, resource and infrastructure projects.
Nature Scopes
The Foundation for Geauga Parks is pleased to support top-notch nature education programs including Geauga Park District's Nature Scopes, the first binocular-nature education program of its kind in the country. Nature Scopes was established in 2003, in response to research showing that close encounters with nature create a direct, personal involvement with the outdoors that cannot be matched by classroom discussion or photos in textbooks. This year-long program supplements school science instruction by providing hands-on lessons matched to the Ohio Content Standards for fifth-grade science education. Fifth-graders participate in a total of six interactive sessions involving outdoor exploration, concluding in May with a field day where students are awarded their own binoculars and field guides for participating in the program.
Chip Henry Institute
The Chip Henry Institute for Outdoor Adventure was established in 2011 as a memorial to Charles "Chip" Henry, Geauga County Probate & Juvenile Court Judge, whose life's work and passion was to make a lasting impact on young people, and who believed that adventures in Nature are critical to healthy development. The mission of the Institute is to nurture youth through outdoor adventure. Its vision is to be the premier program for youth that will provide skills and experiences leading to life-long pursuits of exploring and enjoying the natural world. Banner photo courtesy of Abby Smith
