Media Advisory from San Diego School District, June 29, 2015
Camping Trip Tradition Continues for Inner City Students
Central Elementary third graders head to Stelzer County Park for outdoors experience; Superintendent Cindy Marten will join them the evening of June 30
WHAT: Third graders from Central Elementary School in City Heights will be experiencing typical camping rituals (hiking, eating s’mores, sharing stories and singing songs around the campfire) when they head out on the school’s annual camping trip to Louis A. Stelzer County Park on June 30, July 1 and 2. It is often the first time the inner city students have been camping.
WHEN: June 30, July 1 and July 2, all day (call for exact times)
WHERE: Louis Stelzer County Park Campground, 11470 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside (92040)
INTERVIEWS/PHOTOS: Central Elementary students and teachers, Stelzer Park rangers and program presenters, and representatives from the Jarrett Meeker Foundation. Superintendent Cindy Marten will be there the evening of June 30.
DETAILS: In addition to experiencing the fun of camping, students will be exposed to a standards-based learning experience that includes Kumeyaay Indian history, storytelling, artifacts and games; birds of prey presentation and owl pellet dissections; and native plant and composting education. Superintendent and former Central Elementary principal, Cindy Marten, will continue her tradition of camping with the students on June 30.
The Stelzer County Park icon, the park’s precious “wedding tree,” is starting to fail due to an attack by the Goldspotted oak borer pest. In order to keep the memory of the wedding tree alive, park rangers are attempting to clone the wedding tree and Central students will help start this project. The students will take small twigs from the wedding tree, dip them in a rooting compound and then grow little baby trees.
The trip is sponsored by the Jarrett Meeker Foundation, a local non-profit organization that provides programs related to wildlife, conservation and the environment for children and young adults in San Diego County. The foundation was established in 1987 in memory of 8-year-old Jarrett Meeker after his accidental death. Jarrett’s family was inspired by his love of nature. The foundation and the work that it does is Jarrett’s gift—his legacy—and keeps his memory alive. Since 1987, JMF has provided once-in-a-lifetime educational experiences to more than 100,000 children representing over 50 schools throughout San Diego County. Overall contributions to these programs total more than $500,000.
Other organizations that support the trip include:
Louis A. Stelzer County Park Rangers
Heritage of the Americas Museum
Young Audiences, Abel Silva
The Raptor Institute
San Diego Astronomy Association
San Diego Search & Rescue Canine Unit
Boy Scout Troop 362 Rancho San Diego
Kruisin’ Kritters
Lake Murray Kiwanis Club
Promo Deli
Sharp Grossmont Hospital
Learn about the Jarrett Meeker Foundation at www.TheJMF.org .
CONTACTS: Sarah Mathy, 619-886-7595 or Jennifer Carpenter, 619-203-4702
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