Campus Connection

Area K-12 teachers are invited to earn graduate credits while exploring the beautiful and culturally rich Kickapoo Valley Reserve this summer. “The Kickapoo Valley Experience: Cultural Tour for Educators” will be July 8-12, at the reserve, which encompasses 8,600 acres of varied terrain in Vernon County. Educators will examine land and water issues. They will also seek a deeper awareness of how people connect with the land through guided tours, interaction with local residents and community-based presentations. Faculty and guest speakers will include scholars, artists, musicians and local residents. The tour is specifically designed to meet the needs of K-12 teachers and other educators who wish to incorporate local culture into existing curricula. “The tour will include ‘inside the community’ experiences not usually available to tourists or independent travelers,” says Annette Valeo, outreach program specialist, UW-L Continuing Education and Extension. The tour is offered by the Kickapoo Valley Reserve in partnership with Friends of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Organic Valley Family of Farms. UW-La Crosse Continuing Education and Extension collaborates with the reserve by offering graduate credits. Class specifics: Three optional graduate credits are available from UW-L through a partnership with the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.  Teachers may use the credit toward:

• Connecting their curriculum to the WI State Academic Standards in social studies, art and Common Core State Standards for Language Arts
• License renewal
• Professional Development Plan

Cost: No Credit: $185 Credit: $330 for three graduate credits Accommodations: Optional lodging available at The Kickapoo Valley Ranch for $140 for four nights (Monday-Thursday). Registration: Deadline is June 1. To register visit: http://kvr.state.wi.us/category.asp?linkcatid=3401&linkid=950&locid=115 Find additional information: http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/teachereducation/kickapoovalley.html