Education & Outreach
JRA's Education & Outreach program provides outdoor and in-class educational experiences for youth. Our goal is to relate environmental topics in a way that is meaningful as well as memorable.
School & Group Programs:
Group Education Program Catalog (PDF, 473kb)
JRA provides educational experiences in your classroom, on your school grounds, outdoors and on the water. Programs are always engaging, hands-on, fun and many support the Virginia Standards of Learning. Click the link above to learn more about our group programs.
Grants for School Programs
- Virginia Environmental Endowment's Mini-Grant Program offers grants to schools for up to $5,000 for community-based environmental education.
- DEQ's Virginia Classroom Grant Program offers grants to schools for $500, $750 or $1,000 for conducting meaningful outdoor experiences with students.
Summer Camps 2010:
Wild About Richmond Summer Day Camp
JRA and Maymont are teaming up to introduce campers to the natural side of Richmond. Explore the James River by canoe, fish for aquatic creatures, hike through natural habitats, soak up some of Richmond’s unique history, enjoy an overnight adventure on Presquile National Wildlife Refuge and more!
Ages: Rising 7th-9th graders.
Date & Time: July 12-16, 2010, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cost: $344 / $310 for JRA or Maymont members.
To register: Register Online at www.Maymont.org or call (804) 358-7166 ext 324.
James River Adventures: Leadership Canoe Camp
This is no ordinary summer camp! High school students interested in becoming future eco-leaders spend seven days paddling a beautiful section of the James River by day, sleeping along its grassy banks by night. Become an expert in current conservation issues and solutions, responsible living and community leadership on this awesome river adventure.
Ages: Rising 10-12th graders.
Cost: $600 / $550 for JRA members
Session 1: June 26 - July 3
Session 2: July 24 - July 31
To register: Call (804) 788-8811 ext 205 or 214.
Share a flier with a friend - 2010 Summer Camps (PDF, 238kb)
Outreach & Partnerships
JRA participates in many outreach events, including James River Days and the Annual James River Clean-up.
In efforts to enhance environmental education programs, we partner with local organizations such as Virginia Commonwealth University/Rice Center, Riverside Outfitters, James River Fishing School, Maymont Foundation, Children’s Museum of Richmond and the James River Park System.
Watershed Education by Students (W.E.B.S.)
One of JRA’s major education initiatives is W.E.B.S. (Watershed Education By Students). This program is implemented through a partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University. W.E.B.S. incorporates hands-on watershed education in classrooms and the field, as well as student mentoring. Students receive training in water quality testing, ecology, hydrology and common macroinvertebrate identification. Participating schools: Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Open High School, Goochland Middle School and Goochland High School. Recruitment for this program is currently closed.
If your group or organization would like more information about our Education & Outreach programs, please contact Heather Murdoch at (804) 788-8811 ext. 205.