Camp
Trinity 

(Wednesday and Thursday classes have availability.)

 

Every year more parents choose to school their children at home. It can be a daunting task.

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That's where the Outdoor Classroom comes in.

 

Homeschooling families generally have little difficulty covering the core subjects (reading, math, language arts), but sometimes they can use a little help with other parts of the curriculum (science, history, geography and fine arts).

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Camp Trinity introduced the Outdoor Classroom in fall 2020 to assist homeschooling families with disciplines outside the core curriculum. The Outdoor Classroom has included sessions on wildlife flora and fauna, history, wilderness survival, physical and cultural geography, mountain music, sculpture, drawing, photography, archeology, botany, engineering, and orienteering. Classes are taught by Camp Trinity staff and guest presenters.

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Guest speakers have included Petit Jean State Park interpreters, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission officers, University of Arkansas Extension agents, zookeepers, cowboys, master gardeners, law enforcement officers, helicopter pilots, firefighters, EMTs, historians, professional musicians and artists, zoologists and exotic animal keepers, as well as archeologists and veterinarians. 

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Families can choose when to participate and pay just for the classes they attend or they can sign up for the entire 10-week semester at a steep discount (prices below). Those who sign up for the semester are not required to attend every session but can attend only the classes of most interest.

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Most sessions include children age 7-15. If your child is older/younger, and you are not sure if they can participate, please email the director at trinitypetitjean@gmail to discuss your child's options. Depending on the subject, participants may be divided into groups by age.

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Sept. 17 & 18: It's Fall, Y'all

Students will conduct a fall color lab as they learn about the science behind the fall colors and take part in hands-on experiments with Extension Agent Alicia Hugen.

 

Sept. 24 & 25: CCC History

Ashley Hansen of the Morrilton Archeology Station will describe the Civilian Conservation Corps, a Depression-era federal jobs program, and specifically how the Petit Jean CCC company transformed the mountain. Through games and a guided hike, students will learn about life in a CCC camp.​

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Oct 1 & 2: Habitat & Carrying Capacity

Trent Whitehead of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will explain how environmental factors and management practices limit or increase growth of animal populations.

 

Oct. 8 & 9: Mississippian Culture Pottery Class

Petit Jean State Park interpreter Carrie Balkman will show samples of prehistoric pottery from Carden Bottoms, just below the west end of the mountain, as well as photos of pottery found in Rock House Cave in the park. Students will then create their own pottery pieces using air-dry clay.

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Oct. 15 & 16: Inland Maritime (Field Trip)

This off-site class will meet at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in North Little Rock. Students will explore the USS Razorback, the USS Hoga and the museum.

 

Oct. 22 & 23: Theology 101

The Rev. Dr. Leroy Leach will lead students in a dive into the historical and literary contexts of Bible passages and the interconnectedness of scripture's overarching theme.

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Oct. 29 & 30: Frontier Skills

Mountain Man will teach basic skills that frontiersmen needed to survive, from canoeing to shelter building and more.

 

Nov. 5 & 6: Everything Matters

Sunflower will lead this introduction to chemistry and chemical reactions in everyday life. Students will take part in experiments and tests to learn about the world around them.

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Nov. 12 & 13: Mammals (& Birds)

Petit Jean State Park interpreter Baron will teach about common mammal species in Arkansas and how to track them. As a bonus, the class will also go over the basics of birding, followed by a hike to practice their newly learned skills.

 

Nov. 19 & 20: Geology at Bear Cave

State Park interpreter Carrie returns for a hands-on geology class exploring the fascinating rock formations of the Bear Cave area. Through a guided hike among towering sandstone formations, interactive stations and erosion experiments, students will learn about the forces that shaped Petit Jean's unique landscape.

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