MEDIA ADVISORY: San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten Continues Tradition of 11th Annual Camping with Students

MEDIA ADVISORY

San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten Continues Tradition of 11th Annual Camping with Students
110 Central Elementary third graders head to Stelzer County Park to experience camping trip for the first time with support from the Jarrett Meeker Foundation

WHEN: June 28, 2017 – June 30, 2017
Media Coverage is available from 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. throughout the camping weekend

Superintendent Cindy Marten will be available for interview Wednesday, June 28 from 7:00 p.m. To 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, June 29 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

*Please see Schedule of events below for more detailed dates and times*
**As always please confirm coverage prior to arrival**


WHAT: Central Elementary third graders head to Stelzer County Park for outdoors experience with support from the Jarrett Meeker Foundation.

WHERE: Stelzer County Park, 11470 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040

DETAILS: Third graders from Central Elementary School in City Heights will once again be experiencing typical camping rituals (sleeping in tents, 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 28, 29, and 30. This is the 11th annual trip supported by The Jarrett Meeker Foundation, and is often the first time the inner city students have been camping.

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. San Diego Unified Superintendent and former Central Elementary principal, Cindy Marten, will continue her tradition of joining the students on the trip the evening of June 28.

"The children from Central Elementary live in the middle of the city with very little opportunity to experience the outdoors," said Supt. Cindy Marten. "The camping trip helps connect students to the wonders of wildlife, fosters the desire to be good stewards of the environment and gets them outside, unplugged."

The superintendent will spend the night, joining students as they toast marshmallows, tell stories, sing camp songs, gaze at the stars and settle into tents when it's time for lights out. The campers will awaken to the smell of pancakes on the griddle, courtesy of the Lake Murray Kiwanis Club.

The Jarrett Meeker Foundation is 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.

Learn about the Jarrett Meeker Foundation at www.TheJMF.org<http://www.thejmf.org/>.


Media Inquiries: Jennifer Rodriguez, San Diego Unified School District, (619) 847-6029 jcornelius@sandi.net<mailto:jcornelius@sandi.net>
On Site Media Contact: Sarah Mathy, (619) 886-7595, or Judy Meeker, (619) 980-4123

Schedule of Events

Afternoon/Evening – Wednesday, June 28
12:00 – Depart Central Elementary School
12:45 – 1:15 – Campground Arrival - Luggage/Restroom/Snack
1:15 – 1:45 – Welcome and Rules – Ranger Christine
1:45 – 2:45 – Break into groups –Scavenger Hunt
2:45 – 5:45 – Break into groups – Native American Life lesson, Owl Pellet lesson
5:30 – 6:30 – Superintendent Cindy Marten arrival/campground tour
5:45 – 6:15 – Tent Unpacking
6:15 – 7:00 – Dinner
7:00 – 7:15 – Sweatshirts/Flashlights
7:15 – 7:30 – Campfire songs/stories led by the Boy Scouts
7:30 – 8:15 – Local Native American Storyteller at the campfire
8:15 – 8:30 – Campfire songs/stories led by the Boy Scouts
8:30 – 9:15 – Break into groups for Astronomy and Smores
9:15 – 9:45 – Prepare for Bed
9:45 – 10:00 – Everyone in his/her tent, quiet time
10:00 – Lights Out – ZZZzzzzz!

Morning – Thursday, June 29
6:30 – 7:30 – Wakeup, Pack Up, Bring Gear to designated area
7:30 – 8:15 – Breakfast
8:15 – 9:15 – Break into groups – Nature Center tour
9:15 – 9:30 – Bathroom/Snack
9:30 – 11:30 – Hike, both groups at the same time, going opposite directions
If time at the end of the hike, Compost and Tree Watering
11:30 – 12:00 – Lunch
12:00 – 12:45 – Cruisin' Kritters
12:45 – 1:00 – Restroom, Load Gear
1:00 – Depart the Park
1:45 – Arrive at Central Elementary

Afternoon/Evening – Thursday, June 29
12:15 – Depart Central Elementary
1:00 – 1:30 – Campground Arrival –Luggage /Restroom/Snack
1:30 – 2:00 – Welcome and Rules – Ranger Christine
2:00 – 2:45 – Cruisin' Kritters
2:45 – 5:45 – Break into groups – Native America life lesson, Owl Pellet lesson, Crafts
5:45 – 6:15 – Tent Unpacking
6:15 - 7:00 – Dinner
7:00 – 7:15 – Sweatshirts/Flashlights
7:15 – 7:30 – Campfire songs/stories led by the Boy Scouts
7:30 – 8:15 – Local Native American Storyteller at the campfire
8:15 – 8:30 – Campfire songs/stories led by the Boy Scouts
8:30 – 9:15 – Break into groups for Astronomy and Smores
9:15 – 9:45 – Prepare for Bed
9:45 – 10:00 – Everyone in his/her tent, quiet time
10:00 – Lights Out – ZZZzzzzz!

Morning – Friday, June 30
6:30 – 7:30 – Wakeup, Pack Up, Bring Gear to designated area
7:30 – 8:15 – Breakfast
8:15 – 9:15 – Nature Center tour, Scavenger Hunt
9:15 – 9:30 – Bathroom/Snack
9:30 – 11:30 – Hike, both groups at the same time, going opposite directions
If time at the end of the hike, Compost and Tree Watering
11:30 – 12:00 – Lunch
12:00 – 12:15 – Restroom, Load Gear
12:15 – Depart the Park
1:00 – Arrive at Central




_______________________________________________
Media mailing list
Media@mailman.sandi.net
http://mailman.sandi.net/mailman/listinfo/media