Outdoor center a place for learning

By Susan Brittingham
Features Editor

Fri, May 16 2008

— Students are going to launch balloons, plant trees and bury a time capsule Friday — and the entire community is invited to take part in the celebration.
It’s all part of the Spring Outdoor Festival at the Bud Hale Outdoor Learning Center at 1201 South Street. Activities begin at 9 a.m., with the center being dedicated at 10.
There’s going to be a lot going on that day.
“Have you ever watched minnows race, been involved in an arrow head dig or experienced a ladybug release?” Debbie Watkins of McAlester Public Schools asked. “The students are set for these activities and many more during the Spring Outdoor Festival. The public is invited to attend the dedication and may participate as spectators in the other activities of the day.”
Watkins said the development of an outdoor classroom for the district began a more than 10 years ago, “and little by little is becoming something to be experienced not only by MPS students but by community members who enjoy and appreciate the outdoors.
“Thanks to a generous gift from the family of the late Bud Hale, the Outdoor Learning Center is now a reality, one which will continue to evolve over time.
“Its purpose is to help students to develop interest and understand the importance of wildlife and natural resource conservation, and also to encourage citizens to be involved in education and the environment through the donation of labor, materials, information or financial support.”
Currently the Bud Hale Outdoor Learning Center has a gazebo, a butterfly garden and a replica of the Oklahoma state seal, which surrounds the U.S., Oklahoma and Centennial flags.
“Plans are to add components to the outdoor center each year, with students directly involved in instruction across the curriculum, including science, Social Studies, language arts, math, or the fine arts.”