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A Message from the Executive Director
School is in - time to bring the outdoors inside the classroom and take the class outside to learn! The school year brings many opportunities to bring environmental education to students and teachers alike. Hands-on learning directly connects classroom learning with real world understanding. Students learn through active engagement and their inquisitive minds. Riverbend's school programs bring environmental education to about 9,000 students annually. Learning is happening when students visit our preserve for a field trip, when we visit Head Start centers, though afterschool clubs, and when Riverbend is on the road at schools in the region. Teaching the teachers is an important investment is sustaining learning overtime. Through professional development, teachers are leaning the value of inquiry based teaching practices, developing the skills and confidence to teach science in a fun and engaging way when Riverbend isn't there. 
Environmental education helps build many of the skills our children need to be prepared to be successful in the 21st century. And it helps them to understand that environmentalism is relevant to them - that the simple act of drinking clean water and recycling is the shared responsibility of all good citizens. All the best, |
We would love to hear from you - what about Riverbend is etched in your memory? Go to our Facebook page and let us know!
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Save the Date for our 6th Annual Shiverfest!
Saturday, October 12th
4:00-9:00pm
As the summer winds down, we are excited to gear up for our largest event of the year: SHIVERFEST! From the Birds of Prey Show to pony rides in the field, pumpkin decorating to Haunted Trails, Shiverfest celebrates the wonders of Fall through seasonal activities and Halloween classics. Funds raised from this event will enable Riverbend to provide high-quality, hands-on educational programs and preserves 30 acres of precious open space for the public to enjoy. Want to learn more? Check out our Shiverfest page and learn more about Tickets, Sponsorship or Volunteering!
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Independence Blue Cross Volunteer Group
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Calling All Corporate Volunteer Groups!
Want to give back to the community and spend some time enjoying nature away from the office? Riverbend welcomes groups of up to 30 people who will plant trees (we have 300 to put in the ground before the end of the year), remove invasive species and help with the general care of our site. Your time will be invested in meaninful and satisfying work.
Please contact Jeanne Angell, Volunteer Coordinator, or visit our volunteer page for more information.
Many thanks to the following groups who have generously given of their time this year: SAP, Goldman Sachs, Vanguard, Hersha Hospitality Network, De Lage Landen, The Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Group, The Investment Fund for Foundations, Out There Outfitters, Rotary Club of Ardmore and Shire Pharmaceuticals.
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Summer Wrap up and Thank you!
We welcomed about 510 children aged 4 to 14 to Riverbend over 11 weeks this summer. Whether they came to camp for one week or eight weeks they had fun adventures, explored the outdoors and learned by doing. It was a fabulous summer- our busiest on record- and we hope the children who attended our Exploration Camp and Adventure Camp take with them fond memories of stream stomping, rock climbing, making friends, and of course, getting dirty!
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Our Camps Don't End With Summer!
 At Riverbend, we understand that school days off for children are not always work days off for parents! From Columbus Day to Spring Break, Riverbend takes the pressure off parents and engages their children during the various school holidays. Below are our 2013-2014 Year Round Camp Dates Coming Up! Thursday, September 5th (Rosh Hashanah)
Theme: Peek in the Creek
Monday, October 14th (Columbus Day)
Theme: Sky Heroes
Tuesday, November 5th (Election Day)
Theme: Fantastic Fall
Wednesday, November 27th (Day Before Thanksgiving)
Theme: Lenape Life
Monday, December 23rd, Thursday, December 26th and Friday, December 27th
Theme: Winter Wonders
Monday, December 30th, Thursday, January 2nd and Friday, January 3rd
Theme: Weird Science
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The Power of a Field Trip
"There is nothing better for me as a teacher than to see
my students engaged in hands-on experiences in "the
real world" that tie into the curriculum we are studying.
Riverbend provided this and so much more. This was by far
the best field trip I have been on in 21 years of teaching!"
Riverbend was thrilled to receive this resounding endorsement from Phyllis Rohn of Devon Elementary this past spring. We have been hosting environmental field trips at our site for decades and now take many of our educational programs to schools and school grounds in the region. We create programs that engage children and teachers alike while addressing the Pennsylvania Department of Education standards for Science and Technology, and Environment and Ecology.
For more information about programs we offer all year long, visit our programs page.
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Eco-Message and Activity
Get Outside and Explore!
By: Kelly Myers
As autumn approaches and the weather changes from hot and humid to cool and crisp, nature changes as well. One of the most visible and most beautiful changes occurs when the leaves transition to brilliant shades of red, orange, gold, yellow and even purple!
Activity Time!
Locate a tree that is exposed to bright sunlight. Using aluminum foil or heavy paper... click for more!
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Behind the 'Bend 
If you have been a camp parent then you are familiar with our weekly Extravaganza. Every Friday children are excited to show their family and friends what they learned at camp that week including the weekly song. So where are the educators when the kids are singing? Acting out the song in the back- of course!
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Your gift, of any size, will make a difference!
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Keep up to date with what is new at Riverbend, get exclusive details on programs, behind the scene pictures and more!
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