Tulare County Grand Jury Report 2010-2011 Scicon a Nature Experience

Under the direction of the Tulare County Board of Education, the Tulare County Superintendent of Schools operates and conducts SCICON.

There are two advisory boards made up of educators and interested citizens of Tulare County. They are the SCICON Administrative Board and the “Friends of SCICON” Board of Directors. TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2010-2011

A SCICON Program Administrator oversees the program with the assistance of nearly 30 additional on-site staff, which includes instructional, clerical, maintenance and food service personnel. A full time nurse is on duty at all times.

A SCICON Lead Teacher (Teacher) is a fully credentialed professional who specializes in teaching outdoor education. The Teacher provides leadership to the SCICON instructional team, conducts environmental studies and provides curriculum and program organization.

From August through June of each year, all Tulare County fifth graders attend SCICON for one school day and sixth graders attend SCICON for one school week (five days).

Each cabin may house up to 11 students and one Cabin Counselor.

Cabin Counselors are students chosen from local high schools and they are instructed in rules of conduct and safety for the students. They sleep in the cabins with the students and accompany them on all trail walks.

Having students representing various districts at the same time helps them learn to socialize with each other.

There are two cabins, one for the boys and one for the girls that are specifically designed for the handicapped.

On a daily basis SCICON presently accommodates up to 300 students only because the cafeteria has a maximum capacity of 300.

Because of the increasing population of children within the County, SCICON is in the process of expanding. East of the present cabins and facilities, is a new site called “The East Village”. As of March 25, 2011, six cabins have been built and are being used. Once completed, The East Village will be a mirror image of the present facilities, including a new cafeteria. The two sites combined will be able to accommodate up to 600 students.

SCICON has one building that was built from a grant. All the remaining buildings (i.e. cabins, cafeteria, etc.) were built from donated supplies, labor, and fundraisers. Additional funds are generated from outside organizations or individuals, such as weddings, church groups, etc. 13. “Friends of SCICON” are in charge of the fundraising activities. The most recent fundraiser was a barbecue lunch held in April 2011 at SCICON.

“Friends of SCICON” are in charge of the fundraising activities. The most recent fundraiser was a barbecue lunch held in April 2011 at SCICON.

Large arbors were built by the LIONS and Rotary Clubs. Both arbors are equipped with speakers, tables with benches and a cooking area. During bad weather, heavy tarps may be used to enclose the arbors. An installed heating system keeps the students warm on those cold days or evenings.

At SCICON, the students learn about nature, not from books, but from a natural 24 outdoor setting. They are taught about everything from composting to the mating TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2010-2011 outdoor setting. They are taught about everything from composting to the mating habits of salamanders. They study the stars at night and also use the planetarium.

The museum has stuffed wild animals, natural stones/rocks, a Native American display and much more. CONCLUSIONS Since the time SCICON was first a dream, a wonderful thing happened to all the citizens living in Tulare County. County citizens came together and made a dream come true. The students of yesterday and the students of tomorrow did, and will, come away from SCICON with a better understanding of what nature is and how it works. They did, and will, experience what a book cannot truly teach. A book is one thing; actually seeing, touching and feeling is the best educational tool of all.