Click here to listen to the recent KQED program on youth and Adventure Education.
The Wilderness Arts And Literacy Collaborative (WALC) is an academic environmental education program at two inner-city high schools in San Francisco, serving primarily low-income youth of color who have historically been underserved. Traditional schooling has been insufficient in helping our students overcome the academic disadvantages that have plagued their educational careers since birth or immigration. A diverse group of teachers developed WALC as an alternative educational program that addresses the needs of our students in a holistic fashion; we offer a model of education that directly addresses students’ critical academic needs as well as facilitating their sense of self and sense of place as participants in society and the ecological processes of our planet. Our pedagogical strategies address not only academic achievement, but also character and moral standards, civic responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Place-based field studies that teach core environmental education concepts are at the heart of our academic program. Ongoing habitat restoration projects, the study of natural history, and real, relevant environmental legacy projects that affect systemic environmental change within our own school community give our students the analytical frameworks and experiential edge to succeed as learners and become positive members of their communities.
695 Paris Street
San Francisco, CA 94112
http://www.walcsf.net/
Contact Information:
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510 541 9252
Conrad J. Benedicto
It has been another challenging, but successful and fulfilling year for WALC and we have accomplished most of the goals, objectives, and outcomes with very satisfying results. Of all the field studies outlined in our application—7 camping trips, 4 hiking trips, and weekly habitat restoration for the Balboa WALC chapter, and 4 camping trips, 24 day trips, and weekly habitat restoration for the Downtown WALC chapter—only 2 camping trips (uncooperative weather) were left unrealized by Downtown WALC, and no Balboa WALC trips were canceled. The vital lessons and experiences that become the conceptual and experiential foundation that makes all of our goals and objectives possible remained vibrant and effective. Our students were outside, having unforgettable times, comprehending ideas and concepts because they were able to observe and analyze them directly, building relationships with peers and teachers that create a strong learning community, and becoming citizens of the planet.
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