ORANGE, CA, December 20, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, a one-of-a-kind themed outdoor learning facility, today announces that 7th grade student, Angela Pham of Santa Ana, is The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center 2009 Young Scholar Essay Contest winner for the 7-8th Grade category. Pham, who is home schooled, won an overnight camp experience for herself and up to 40 friends and associates in which they will enjoy archery, zip line activities, hiking, games, dining in the lodge and an overnight stay in one of the Astronomy, Ranch or Mining Camp bunkhouses. Pham also now is the newest member of The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center Young Scholars' Program. The essay contest was announced in October inviting third through eighth grade students from all Orange County elementary and middle schools, including home schooled students, to participate. In response to teacher requests, the deadline for entries for the 3rd-4th Grade and 5th-6th Grade categories has been extended through the end of December.
The essay themes for this year's contest were "Why I Need the Outdoors" and "Why I Need to Nurture Nature."
Pham's essay reads in part:
We learn several things that no books can teach us when we care for the earth. When we plant a seed, we do not expect it to simply grow. We must continually care for it, fertilizing it, keeping weeds away and keeping it watered but not drowned. We develop patience. As the plant grows, we feel proud of ourselves; as though we have harnessed this life form and made it obey us. But when a swarm of grasshoppers invades, we remember that we do not and cannot control nature; we can only nurture it.
"Angela Pham's essay is a combination of both fact and fellow feeling for this wondrous gift we call nature," says Joan Horton, executive director of The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center. "We certainly hope that other young people share her keen appreciation for our beautiful planet and the environment that we share. We hope that they all continue to take good care of our earth and love the outdoors."
About The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center Young Scholars' Program
The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center Youth Scholars' Program rewards achievements and inspires ongoing interest in the study and pursuit of astronomy, geology and biology. Young Scholars are outstanding students from grades 3 through 12 representing a variety of backgrounds and possessing a broad range of interests and goals in the scientific field. Each student will contribute to the unique character and strength of the program. Positions of leadership will be held by those students personally selected for nomination by a teacher and will have a history of academic achievement in the sciences.
About The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center
The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is a 501c3 non-profit organization owned and operated by the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America for the benefit of all youth organizations. It provides schools and youth organizations a local and more affordable venue for overnight outdoor education and day trips at a new, eco-friendly facility featuring three unique camps—Astronomy Camp, Ranch Camp and Mining Camp. It was developed to provide local youth the opportunity to learn about the Southern California natural environment through first-hand wilderness experiences above, at and below ground level and to teach environmental awareness, conservation and leadership along with science, history and local cultures. The Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center is located at the end of Jamboree Road adjacent to Irvine Regional Park at 2 Irvine Park Road in Orange. For more information please call 800-436-2119 or go to: http://www.outdooreducationcenter.org.
Media Contacts:
Lära Fisher
949-350-4027
laraf@ocbsa.org
Donna St. Jean Conti, APR
949- 290-0622
DConti@StContiCommunications.com
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