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JANUARY MOSS BLOG ARCHIVE
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GRADUATE/AMERICORPS PROGRAM: BACK TO THE MOTHERSHIP
by Greg Fizzell
Program Director
With a massive winter storm and arctic cold front nipping at their
heels, fifteen MOSS graduate AmeriCorps students hit the road in early
December to make a visit to what we affectionately call the
'Mothership' - Moscow, Idaho. Moscow is home to the University of
Idaho’s (UI) main campus and the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental
Institute (PCEI). As the two primary partners that make MOSS go, we
felt it important that our students begin to understand the big picture
of the program that they have grown so attached to over the last several
months.
Their visit to Moscow would serve another purpose – begin preparation
for the MOSS Outreach Program. After teaching in the field for 3
months, our 'grads' got the opportunity to visit several classrooms in
Moscow, explore and learn in UI’s world-class GIS lab, and practice the
outreach curriculum with a classroom of squirmy kindergardeners along
Paradise Creek. In addition, they toured PCEI’s Nature and
Sustainability Center getting a first hand look at community based
sustainability initiatives and demonstration projects.
Probably the highlight of the week, however, was a 'meet and greet'
party at Mikey’s Greek Gyros restaurant in downtown Moscow. The grads
got the unique opportunity to meet UI faculty from the College of
Natural Resources, staff and board members from PCEI, and two very
special guests – Janet DeVlieg Pope and her husband Jim Pope. Janet is
a board member of the DeVlieg Foundation who has generously supported
our graduate students through scholarships for the past two years.
What a fantastic opportunity for both Janet and the grad students to
meet each other and share their passion for learning and teaching.
It’s the “Community” part of our mission that often inspires me most,
and this week certainly reinforced that notion for all of us.
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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: MOSS JOINS THE NORDIC COMMUNITY
by Gary Thompson
Operations and Leadership Director
Winter can be a challenge in McCall without an outlet for snow
enjoyment. We look out of our office windows at hundreds of miles of
the best snowshoe and nordic trails in the state. Its about time MOSS
got involved in connecting people to the winter outdoors in our
backyard, Ponderosa State Park.
Ever wanted to learn how to cross country ski or skate ski? Got a new
pair of snowshoes you want to try out? Or do you just like to be
outside enjoying the fresh air? Join us for the FREE Nordic
Demo Day at Ponderosa State Park on January 10th! FREE Equipment
use and instruction in classic skiing, skate skiing and snow shoeing!
This will also be the debut of the McCall Outdoor Science School Winter
Recreation Program. MOSS will begin offering nordic and snowshoe
instruction to the public. Ponderosa State Park is a world class
nordic venue, 2008 hosts of the World Masters, and we are fortunate to
have it as our classroom. We will be recruiting some amazing local
talent for your instructors. So if you are interested in perfecting
your technique or just having fun with the family, contact us and we'll
get you signed up. Also, be sure to ask about our winter lodging
packages.
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THE NEW YEAR AND WHAT WE'RE THANKFUL FOR
by Karla Bradley
Director of Education
Before everyone headed off to their holiday destinations, we had a
chance to reflect as a group on what we appreciated about the
community, and what we are most looking forward to in the coming year.
Since it is that time of the year, I thought I’d share a few of the
things that I’m thankful for, and looking forward to in the coming
year:
I'm thankful for snow. Lack of snow for our snow science training and
teaching is no longer a problem as Idaho’s snowpack has jumped from
40% to 85% in the past month.
I’m thankful to work with a staff who are committed to providing great
experiences for kids, whether the staff are instructors, cooks, or our
executive director. Everyone at MOSS really believes in what we do and
puts a lot of heart into making it a great place.
I’m looking forward to growing our programs this year and expanding
into the summer and into an older age range. There is so much
potential yet to be tapped and I look forward to taking a few steps in
new directions.
So, Happy New Year!
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