Earthkeepers
Four Keys For Helping Young People Live In Harmony With The Earth

Author: Steve Van Matre, Bruce Johnson
Format: Paperback
Length: 108 pages
Publisher: The Institute for Earth Education
ISBN: 0917011015

Notes: The complete program for 10-11 year olds must be purchased as a program package through a Memorandum of Agreement with the institute.

Item #: BEK

Price: $12.95

Order fulfillment provided by The Simple Living Network. Order by phone 800-318-5725 or 509-395-2323.

Earthkeepers programs are already underway at both resident and non-resident outdoor centres in several countries. A mysterious, unseen character known only as E.M. permeates the Earthkeepers program. As the keeper of the keys, E.M. is everyone's dream of the wizard of the woods, a secretive recluse who lives alone but loves to share the marvels and mysteries of the natural world with others in special ways.

Becoming an Earthkeeper like E.M. is an important task, and each learner is rewarded after each step with a special key. These keys open real locks on boxes that contain secret meanings about the true nature of E.M. As the learners earn four keys for their keyrings, they not only discover how life functions ecologically on the earth, they find out how they are both a part of our environmental problems and their solutions.

If you have learners who are 10-11 years old and you can spend two and a half to three days during any season in a natural setting, then you and an assistant will be able to help your learners become Earthkeepers. But remember, a full half of the program must take place back at home or school. Here are some of the highlights of this exciting learning adventure:

• Four Conceptual Encounters^TM activities -- focusing on the ecological concepts of energy flow, cycles, interrelationships, and change

• "E.M.'s Diary" -- an adventuresome Discovery Party that promotes a sense of wonder and place

• An Earthwalk^TM for sharpening senses and perceptions and encouraging firsthand contact with the natural world in new and exciting ways

• The "Seasons" Immersing Experience -- focusing on changing perspective and breaking personal barriers to the natural world

• And much more -- including a Student Training Manual and Diary, "Magic Spots," and the "E.M.'s Lab" opening and closing ceremonies

This book will give you the best picture of what a complete earth education program involves. And, even if you can't set up the complete Earthkeepers program, there are many activities you can use to build an earth education program in your own setting and situation. Order the Earthkeepers book and see for yourself. Earthkeepers includes over 100 pages of detailed instructions and guidelines, fully illustrated.

Excerpts:

The goal of the Earthkeepers program is to turn out youngsters who possess some basic ecological understandings and good feelings about the earth and its life, and will undertake not only to live more lightly themselves, but to share their insights and behaviors with others. Earthkeepers:

• understand how energy and materials tie all life together

• experience good feelings when they're in touch with nature

• undertake personal lifestyle changes in order to begin living more in harmony with the natural world

• help others increase their understanding of, feeling for, and harmony with the earth and its life

Obviously, in two and a half days we can only begin this task; much of it will have to be carried out back at school with the guidance and support of the classroom teacher.

Earthkeepers is for those teachers who genuinely want a learning adventure that will captivate and motivate their students, setting them off on a quest that must be completed later. It will not suffice for those looking for a brief, unrelated respite from the confines of the classroom or a primarily social, recreational outing. It's an intense, highly stimulating experience that must continue for some time back at school.

• Steve Van Matre

Copyright © 1987 The Institute for Earth Education

Reviews:

This is even better than Disney World!

• an Apprentice Earthkeeper, Pine Jog Environmental Center, West Palm Beach, Florida

I am writing to express my thanks for the marvelous Earthkeepers programme you ran for our two schools. Our pupils got so much out of your earth education programme, and as a veteran of over forty residentials, this was by far the best I've ever been on. I will have no hesitation in recommending it to any other teacher. I was delighted with the degree of co-operation and caring exhibited by pupils of both schools and I have no doubt they have learnt lessons they will remember for the rest of their lives.

• Primary School Vice-Principal, Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Kilboney Conservation Centre in Northern Ireland teams up one Catholic and one Protestant class for Earthkeepers. This is an extract from a letter we received: "I am writing to express my thanks for the marvelous Earthkeepers programme you ran for our two schools. Our pupils got so much out of your earth education programme, and as a veteran of over forty residentials, this was by far the best I've ever been on. I will have no hesitation in recommending it to any other teacher. I was delighted with the degree of co-operation and caring exhibited by pupils of both schools and I have no doubt they have learnt lessons they will remember for the rest of their lives.

• Mark Jefferys, Kilbrony Conservation Centre, Northern Ireland

When my 4th grades returned from the Earthkeepers program they were definitely charged up! Our school is very old and energy inefficient. When asbestos was removed from the pipes they were no longer insulated, thus the hot water pipe heated the cold water. The students were really upset by this waste of energy. They went from room to room checking air and water temperature in all of the toilets and sinks. They even examined the school's monthly gas, electric and water bills. After compiling their results they made recommendations to the superintendent, the business manager, and chief of maintenance.

• Nancy Bires, Teacher, Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania

About The Author:

Steve Van Matre is the author of Acclimatization, Acclimatizing, Sunship Earth, The Earth Speaks, Earthkeepers, Earth Education... A New Beginning and Sunship III. A former university professor, camp director, youth leader, school teacher, and educational consultant, he now travels the world introducing the earth education alternative to others.

Other Information:

The Institute for Earth Education is the world's largest organization for educators in the environmental movement, offering an alternative to the supplemental, infusion approach to educating students about our environmental problems. There are formal Branches underway in a dozen countries, with an international home base at Cedar Cove in Greenville, West Virginia.

Related Resources:

Earth Education... A New Beginning For All Those Who Love This Planet & Its Life
      By Steve Van Matre (Paperback)

Sunship Earth An Earth Education Program For Getting To Know Your Place In Space
      By Steve Van Matre (Paperback)

Earthkeepers Four Keys For Helping Young People Live In Harmony With The Earth
      By Steve Van Matre, Bruce Johnson (Paperback)

SUNSHIP III Perception & Choice For The Journey Ahead
      By Steve Van Matre, Bruce Johnson (Paperback)

Rangers Of The Earth Young People Responding To The Planet's Cry For Help
      By Steve Van Matre & Laurie Farber (Paperback)

The Earth Speaks A Powerful Tribute To Our Home In Space
      By Steve Van Matre, Bill Weiler (Paperback)

The Living More Lightly Profile Duplication Masters For Group Study
      By Steve Van Matre (Duplication Masters)