Lorado Taft

Outdoor Education

in Oregon, IL

April 13 - 15, 2011

 

What a great time everyone had at Taft!

 
Driving Directions
Lorado Taft Activities
Lorado Taft Home Page 
Check this out for pictures, history, and programming information about the educational program at Taft. (This is the home page of The Lorado Taft Field Campus of Northern Illinois University)



Current weather

weather forecast for Oregon IL weather forecast for Oregon weather forecast by climaton.com

 

 

 

 

Sponser: Claudia Mall
Authors:
Liz Szarek & Adam Hjerpe
Webmaster: 
Adam Hjerpe
Created: 08/20/2007
Updated: 04/18/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driving Directions


Starting from: Arriving at: Distance Time
Sarah Adams Elementary School

555 Old Mill Grove Rd

Lake Zurich, IL  60047

Lorado Taft/Lowden State Park

1414 N. River Rd.

Oregon, IL 60161

92.39 miles 1 hr. 47 mins.

 

 
1: Start out going SOUTH on OLD MILL GROVE RD toward BRITTANY RD
 
0.1 mi
2: Turn LEFT onto BRITTANY RD
 
0.3 mi
3: Turn LEFT onto BRISTOL TRAIL RD
 
0.5 mi
4: Turn RIGHT onto N QUENTIN RD / CR-V62 / CR-5. Continue to follow N QUENTIN RD
 
3.6 mi
5: Turn RIGHT onto W DUNDEE RD / IL-68
 
4.9 mi
6: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto IL-68 / NEW SUTTON RD / IL-59. Continue to follow NEW SUTTON RD / IL-59
 
4.6 mi
7: Merge onto I-90 W toward ROCKFORD (Portions toll).
 
42.1 mi
8: Merge onto I-39 S / US-51 S toward ROCKFORD
 
18.4 mi
9: Take the IL-64 exit- EXIT 104- toward OREGON / SYCAMORE
 
0.3 mi
10: Turn RIGHT onto IL-64 W.
 
15.6 mi
11: Turn RIGHT onto RIVER RD / CR-33
 
1.6 mi
12: End at 1414 N River Rd/Lowden State Park
Oregon, IL 61061
 
 

....for more help.

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Activities


Pioneering   

This study will supplement our social studies units.  Historical scenes and stories will be recreated in an authentic log cabin.  The children will experience a day in the life of a pioneer.  

 

Orienteering  

During this activity students will discover the value and enjoyment of orienteering.   They will learn the history of the compass and its value in exploration, applied work situations, and recreation.  In addition to learning the parts of the compass, students will practice these skills by completing an orienteering course at Taft campus.  

 

Instincts for Survival 

This simulation activity allows children to experience the interrelationships in a food chain.  Concepts such as overpopulation, conservation, specific animal traits, and the predator/prey relationship are experienced.

 

Team Building     

Team Building involves group problem solving activities in which the students work cooperatively to overcome some form of challenge.  The goals of this activity are:

  • to increase the participant’s sense of personal confidence,

  • to increase mutual support within a group, and

  • to develop an increased level of agility and physical coordination.

 

Alpha Wolf     

While a member of a wolf pack, use your senses to look for and find the lead (Alpha) wolf of the pack.  This is an evening simulation that is very active.

 

Night Hike    

Explore the natural world at night. Students use senses to learn more about this mysterious environment along with the habits and adaptations of nocturnal animals.    

 

Campfire   

Sing, listen to stories, and participate in skits: these are just a few examples of what your students may have in store for them at an evening campfire.  

 

Science Activities     

During these activities the students will participate in a variety of natural science activities utilizing the resources of the natural environment at Taft.  Topics such as river ecology, forest ecology, winter ecology, survival skills, maple sugaring and birding are often investigated.