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MEDIA ADVISORY: San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten Continues Tradition of 12th Annual Student Camping Trip

MEDIA ADVISORY: San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten Continues Tradition of 12th Annual Student Camping Trip
Posted on 06/21/2018

San Diego Unified School District

MEDIA ADVISORY
June 21, 2018

San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten Continues Tradition of 12th Annual Student Camping Trip
80 Central Elementary third-graders head to Stelzer County Park to experience camping trip for the first time with support from the Jarrett Meeker Foundation

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

WHEN: June 27, 2018 - June 29, 2018
Media Coverage is available from 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. throughout the camping trip
Superintendent Cindy Marten will be available for interview at the campsite Wednesday, June 27 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

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 27, 28, and 29. This is the 12th 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 27.

“The children from Central Elementary live in the middle of the city with very little opportunity to experience the outdoors,” Marten said. “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 join the 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.

*Please see schedule of events below for detailed agenda and activities*
**MUST confirm coverage prior to arrival**

Media Contact: Jennifer Rodriguez, San Diego Unified School District, 619-847-6029, [email protected]
On Site Media Contact: Sarah Mathy, (619) 886-7595, or Judy Meeker, (619) 980-4123

Schedule of Events

Afternoon/Evening - Wednesday, June 27
1:00 - Depart Central Elementary School
1:45 - 2:15 - Campground Arrival - Luggage/Restroom/Snack
2:15 - 2:45 - Welcome and Rules - Ranger Christine
2:45 - 5:45 - Break into groups - Native American Life lesson, Owl Pellet lesson, craft
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 28
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, 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 - 12:45 - Cruisin' Kritters
12:45 - 1:00 - Restroom, Load Gear
1:00 - Depart the Park
1:45 - Arrive at Central Elementary

Afternoon/Evening - Thursday, June 28
12:15 - Depart Central Elementary
1:00 - 1:15 - Campground Arrival -Luggage /Restroom/Snack
1:15 - 1:45 - Welcome and Rules - Ranger Christine
1:45 - 2:00 - Playground
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 29
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