WEST BRATTLEBORO — In a collaboration between the In-Sight Photography Project and Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, The Great Outdoors program for youth ages 11-18 will integrate digital photography into nature exploration and discovery.
Students will use the camera as a lens to investigate the natural world as it changes through autumn into winter. The late afternoon program will also enable students to explore nature photography in the early winter darkness. As an introductory photography class, students will also learn basic operation of a digital single lens reflex camera as well as tools for downloading, editing, and printing their images.
The Great Outdoors series takes place on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m., over 10 weeks from Oct. 2 through Dec. 18. Students will observe the transition from autumn into winter, and from light and color into night darkness. Topics explored may include learning about plants preparing for winter, creatures and sounds of the night, star constellations and moon cycles, how an eye and a camera sees light, using lights to illuminate nature, and other techniques for night photography.
This program is offered regardless of ability to pay, and no interested youth will be turned away. Families are asked to pledge and pay what they can afford.
This program is supported in part by The Vermont Community Foundation's Small and Inspiring grant program. Through this program, the Community Foundation hopes to help foster the spark and hope that keeps Vermonters healthy and happy by finding and supporting projects where a small grant can make a big difference, according to a news release.
Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center has been providing southeastern Vermont with quality outdoor education programs for more than 25 years. BEEC also coordinates and leads important community-based natural history and conservation programs. BEEC's mission is to develop a more ecologically informed citizenry through education and action in order to enhance and sustain the vitality of this bioregion.
The InSight Photography Project has been empowering youth to communicate their unique personal visions through photography, guided by respect for individuals, communities, and cultures.
InSight's mission is to offer students a creative voice and outlet, an opportunity to experience success, tools for self-awareness and self-worth, and encourage them to become actively engaged in their communities. In-Sight teaches photography to youth ages 11-18 throughout southern Vermont, regardless of their ability to pay.