Children can explore the trails of a local mountain range while learning about the plants and animals that live in the forest. Students can hike, play nature-themed games such as name that tree, flower or plant. Collect leaves and make a booklet describing your collection, and where you found it. Young mountaineers should be given an inexpensive pair of binoculars, a plastic magnifying glass and a book of butterfly, bird and bug species native to your area.
It's critical that kids understand the ecological impact each and every one of them has on the earth. The eco-project can provide activities, games and presentations aimed at connecting children to nature and the environment. Activities can include making usable crafts out of empty pop bottles. Giving points to each child that comes up with an energy saving tip. Have the kids make posters depicting the impact of littering and wasting water, and hang them in a local retail outlet.
Spend the week visiting local waterways, creeks, lakes, rivers, dams, reclamation sites and local water departments. Have each child keep a journal of the week's activities and what they learned at each site. At the end of the week, have each child write an essay on what he learned, how he would change water management rules, or anything else of concern to your locale.
While most adults have trouble naming different species of winged wildlife, "Things with Wings" can teach 4th graders how to identify birds, butterflies, bees and bugs that are native to your locale. Before your hike, give each child a disposable camera and a small notebook and pencil. Encourage her to take pictures and make notes of what she saw. Have the pictures developed and have each child put together a keepsake book of her "Things with Wings" outing.