2016 Press Releases
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2016 Press Releases
July 2, 2016 – A Day of Learning
May 4, 2016 – PEEC Featured in “50 Best Things to Do in the Poconos, Pennsylvania
April 18, 2016 – Earth Day Featured on ResortsandLoges.com
April 1, 2016 – National Park Foundation 2016 Active Trails Grant
March 18, 2016 – PEEC 2016 Earth Day Celebration
March 8, 2016 – PEEC Dedicates Solar Cell Phone Charging Bench
January 15, 2016 – Sanofi Pasteur Grant for STEM-Based Programming
A Day of Learning
By Rick Koval for the Pocono Record
July 2, 2016
One of my most anticipated nature events happens each summer when I get to spend an entire day outdoors searching for amphibians and reptiles.
Actually, throughout my everyday life and profession, an all day outdoor outing is quite the norm; however when it involves spending the day with an enthusiastic group of elementary students it is really something special.
View the entire article: A Day of Learning – Students Take Advantage of PEEC’s Opportunities
Pocono Environmental Education Center Featured in “50 Best Things to Do in the Poconos, Pennyslvania”
May 4, 2016
View the entire article: 50 Best Things to Do in the Poconos, Pennsylvania
Earth Day Festival at PEEC: Conservation, Games and a Great Experience for All
ResortsandLodges.com
April 18, 2016
View the entire article: Earth Day Festival at PEEC: Conservation, Games and a Great Experience for All
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Pocono Environmental Education Center Receive National Park Foundation 2016 Active Trails Grant
April 1, 2016
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was awarded $20,625 by the National Park Foundation 2016 Active Trails grant program. The grant will be used to conduct the “Active Adventures: Find Your Path to Wellness” (Active Adventures) program 2016. The program will be carried out by the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Dingmans Ferry.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is one of 25 national parks selected to receive a 2016 ActiveTrails grant from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. Now in its eighth year, the Active Trails program supports healthy living by getting people out and active in national parks through projects promoting recreation and exercise. Since 2008, the National Park Foundation has granded more than $3.35 million through its Active Trails program. As of early 2015, Active Trails has engaged more than 12,000 volunteers and 740 project partners.
Active Adventures will focus on using the resources and facilities of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to assist people in finding their own personal path to wellness. Through this grant, PEEC will partner with expert teachers in Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation and mindfulness to teach introductory programs and bring active lifestyle programs to the Park. PEEC is also partnering with Pocono Medical Center for a series of “hike with a physician” programs, including hikes with a cardiothoracic surgeon, a physical therapist, and a dietician or nutritionist. It is hoped that by broadening programs to include the benefits of nature and the outdoors on health and wellness, awareness can be raised of what the park has to offer in terms of wellness-related activities. The Active Adventures program seeks to serve a minimun of 750 people, primarily from neighboring communities in and around the park.
Jeff Rosalsky, Executive Director of PEEC praised the National Park Foundation for “its commitment to programs promoting health and well being using our national parks as the focal point.” He went on to say, “Our strong relationship with the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area will prove invaluable in seeing to it that this program reaches as many people of all ages as possible.”
Park Superintendent John Donahue said, “A national park is far more valuable when people are actively immersed in the park rather than just passing through and seeing the sights.” He went on to say, “One of the primary objectives of the National Park Service is to encourage use of the park for physical activity, physiological well-being, and spiritual uplift. The National Parks exist for that very reason.”
“National parks, both urban and rural, can provide opportunities to improve one’s physical and mental health,” said Sara Newman, Director of the Office of Public Health at the National Park Service. “The scientific evidence is mounting to demonstrate that physical activity in the outdoors can lead to numerous health benefits, and we are proud our parks are a health resource for this nation. These National Park Foundation grants will help all visitors experience our parks as places to recreate, inspire, reflect, and be active.”
PEEC 2016 Earth Day Celebration
March 18, 2016
Where better to celebrate Earth Day than an environmental center?
The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) will be hosting its 21st annual Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 16, 2016. The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., rain or shine.
PEEC’s Earth Day Festival is a fun opportunity to learn more about recycling, the environment, and how to make small (and big) changes to reduce your environmental footprint. Staff and volunteers will lead interpretive hikes on PEEC’s trails, which are a part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Families are invited to stroll around the exhibits, support local businesses, make a craft or two, go on a hike, and play some games! For a more laid-back experience, several options are available – relax, grab a bite to eat, and listen to music.
Crafts will include face painting as well as PEEC’s popular tie-dye station. Tie dye can be a great way to add additional years to old or lightly stained clothing. Bring white cotton shirts, pillowcases, bandanas, or other items and add some color! A limited number of t-shirts will also be available for purchase at the PEEC store.
The Earth Day Festival will also feature a summer camp table – stop by and say hello to real camp counselors! Families who stop by the camp table will receive a special Earth Day discount when registering a child for camp.
Vendors and exhibits at the 2016 festival also provide a way for community members to meet and interact with local organizations, businesses, and artists. Some of the planned activities and opportunities with the Earth Day vendors and exhibitors include planting a seed with the Dingmans Ferry Bridge Historical Society, meeting a park ranger from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area, watching stained glass demonstrations by Betty Ann, and meeting rescue dogs from Pibbles & More Animal Rescue, Inc.
The cost to attend is $5 per car and includes crafts, games, interpretive hikes, a live animal show, and much more! Food and drinks will also be available at an additional cost.
The Pocono Environmental Education Center, a non-profit facility, is located within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, between Milford and Bushkill, PA. PEEC advances environmental education, sustainable living, and appreciation for nature through hands-on experience in a national park.
PEEC is close to home, where learning comes naturally!
PEEC Dedicates Solar Cell Phone Charging Bench Donated by PPL Electricric Utilities
March 8, 2016
The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) recently installed a solar cell phone charging bench near the front entrance of its main education building, using a grant from PPL Electric Utilities. PPL has long been a partner to PEEC in teaching visitors, especially school students, about the importance of sustainable energy.
This new addition to the PEEC campus comes at the perfect time, according to PEEC’s executive director, Jeff Rosalsky.
“From early March right through the end of June, PEEC will host more than 18,000 school students from over 150 schools in the tri-state area, and many of them will need to charge their cell phones,” Rosalsky said. “Why not teach them about solar energy at the same time?”
Alana Roberts, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities, helped PEEC dedicate the solar charging bench on March 7th and was the first visitor to use it.
“We are proud to support the Pocono Environmental Education Center, and to help provide this benefit that will surely be in regular use by visitors,” she said. “We support the center’s mission of environmental education, sustainable living and appreciation of nature.”
Sanofi Pastuer Grant for STEM-based Educational Programming
January 15, 2016
Pocono Environmental Education Center Receives Grant from Sanofi Pasteur
for STEM-based educational programming
Dingmans Ferry, PA: The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) was awarded $24,000 by Sanofi Pasteur – the vaccines division of the Sanofi Group with US Headquarters in Swiftwater, Pa. — to conduct the “Sci-Q” Project in 2016. Sanofi Pasteur also funded Sci-Q in 2015. Sci-Q is a unique, week-long STEM camp designed for 25 aspiring scientists in 8th through 10th grades. This year, the Sci-Q Project will be held from June 27 – July 2, 2016 at PEEC, which is located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
Through Sci-Q, students interact with local college professors, hand-picked for their innovative and fun educational approach, as they showcase their research in a variety of fascinating fields. Though the program is aimed primarily at students in Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Northampton Counties, students with an aptitude for science from any school district may apply. Last year nearly 40% of the Sci-Q participants came from other school districts in PA, NJ, and NY.
Ellyn Schindler, director, North America Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Engagement, said, “Through philanthropy and community engagement the company is committed to helping young people learn more about science in both a practical and personal way.” She went on to note, “Encouraging STEM based programming is not only beneficial for the broader community, it also helps science and technology companies like Sanofi Pasteur encourage the next generation of scientists, who may also serve as the next generation of employees.”
Jeff Rosalsky, executive director of PEEC and one of the creators of the Sci-Q program, praised Sanofi Pasteur for its commitment to STEM Education and said PEEC could not have a better partner for science and technology education.
The student application and selection process for Sci-Q 2016 will begin this month. Details can be found at: www.peec.org/sci-q.