ST. CHARLES OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

This outdoor classroom was designed on a former playground, which had been moved to a different location.  The community did an awesome job making this a reality.   School staff, parents, teachers, students, an Eagle Scout, local businesses, etc. all donated much needed time, labor, and/or funds. The benefits back to the community will be tenfold!

Before After

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Tables and chairs made of recycled plastic materials were installed, along with a compost bin, storage bin and planting areas for students who grow annuals from seed. The compost and storage bins were made of recycled materials as part of an Eagle Scout project. 

Before

After

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A butterfly garden with native host and nectar plants was designed for those students studying butterflies. The paths along the body and wings allow students to get up close. All the materials to construct the butterfly's body and wings were donated, recycled or made by the school's Ecology Club. 

A large prairie garden was installed with a path meandering through the middle.  Illinois is the Prairie State,  so this prairie garden provides a great opportunity to learn about this important habitat, along with math, science, art, reading, etc.  The garden was planted with several hundred small native prairie plugs in compacted clay soil at the beginning of the long, hot 2005 drought. 

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Only one year later, the prairie garden is flourishing!!!

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