Penn College News

Pupils Delight in Nature's Variety During ESC Visit

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Andrew S. Wickard, of Williamsport (left), and Michael J. Walker Jr., of Loganton, offer a trapping demonstration as part of their wildlife exhibit With a shoot of silky dogwood from the surrounding forest, Luke R. Waltman, of Milton, shares his knowledge of trees in a dendrology presentation 
Cole M. Cerra, of Warren, sparks a campfire with flint, steel  and a convenient pocketful of dryer lint Amazingly maintaining a fire in occasionally heavy wind along a hiking trail, Brent R. Davison, of Clarion, brews an herbal tea made from tree bark As the pupils' visit winds down, Tyler D. Scott, of Montoursville, explains the various procedures and equipment involved in sawmill operation In an Earth Day tradition (and on a typically unpredictable April day that saw traces of all four seasons), about 90 fifth-graders visited Penn College's Schneebeli Earth Science Center to celebrate the great outdoors. Moving among hands-on information stations staffed by forest technology students organized by professor Dennis F. Ringling, the schoolchildren were exposed to topics including the history of logging and the importance of soil. The Allenwood-area campus is home to the college's School of Natural Resources Management, which, weather permitting, annually hosts students from the Montgomery Area School District.