The Eco-X Program aims to educate at-risk youth on the ecology of Los Angeles and surrounding areas to promote respect for the environment and its natural inhabitants...past, present, and future.
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OVERVIEW
In an effort to increase awareness and responsibility among youth, CLASS
Parks has
established the Eco-X Program to promote respect and understanding of
the ecology of the greater Los Angeles area. If youth can appreciate the
ecological history and changing condition of the environment in which
they live, they will become more invested in the direction of its future.
The Eco-X Program encourages ownership of the environment in youth, opening
their eyes to the complexities of nature and the wildlife that surrounds
their neighborhoods.
The Eco-X Program is an after-school and weekend youth character enrichment program focused on exposing at-risk youth to environmental education and an appreciation of natural ecosystems. CLASS is dedicated to effectively developing youth towards further maximizing motivation and aspirations through the expansion of its environmental education components.
WORKSHOPS
The Eco-X Program offers hands-on exploration of the diverse ecological
systems found in Los Angeles. Staff travels to all CLASS Parks facilities
in a customized trailer, accompanied by an artifact laden step van and
two mobile rock climbing walls. This mobile learning lab, fully equipped
with audio visual aids, tools, artifacts, fossils, magnifying lamps, and
taxidermy specimens, accommodates twenty participants at one time. The
outside of the trailer accommodates twenty participants with a wildlife
workshop displaying live reptile and insect exhibits to bring the wonders
of nature to the inner-city. This mobile lab allows staff to provide exciting
learning workshops on natural science issues including wildlife, ecology,
vegetation, primitive civilizations, and conservationism. Workshops are
formatted around the ecological and geological evolution of Los Angeles
over time.
Use of the rock climbing walls accommodates another
twenty participants and provides action-adventure in an atmosphere highlighting
the impact of humans on indigenous
ecosystems. This component establishes a connection between humans and
nature,
promoting responsible adventure expeditions while respecting the natural
ecology of the
environment. Here, participants are introduced to Quest and APEX, the
more advanced and intensive CLASS Parks Adventure Programs.