An outdoor education class will be offered by Niles High School this summer. Through support of the Niles Education Foundation, a program will be offered to current eighth, ninth and 10th grade students for high school credit.

Students will spend two weeks of morning classes locally and then travel to the Upper Peninsula to apply their studies at Seney National Wildlife Refuge and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Students will study and apply skills in navigation, field ecology, first aid and wilderness living and travel. The class will be a mix of science, geography, health and physical education principles.

The course will be led by Tom Hurst, a Niles teacher with extensive experience as a natural resources teacher, research expedition leader and a certified wilderness first responder.

Hurst has led this type of trip for high schools, college students and adult researchers most recently for the wolf-moose study at Isle Royale National Park.

Two additional teachers will be hired to assist with the program and keep the student-teacher ratio in the field to under 10:1.

Students will travel to the UP by school bus and be camping the entire time in the field. Hikes in Seney and Pictured Rocks are planned with research activities centered around wildlife, plant ecology and soil and water interactions.

Food will be prepared in the field by student teams. Students will learn to work together to live, travel and learn together. The major group camping gear will be provided. High school credit is available for students completing the written requirements of the class.

The cost for the program including all food, camping fees, transportation and teaching is $320 for Niles students and $500 for non Niles students wishing to participate in the program. Parent volunteers are also welcome at a cost of $150 to cover their food expenses.

The Niles Education Foundation grant reduced this amount considerably for the students. It is hoped that the program can be continued each year with a different study location and theme.

The course will meet mornings at Niles schools July 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 and the trip component will be July 17–23. An informational meeting will be held at Ring Lardner Middle School library Wednesday at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Tom Hurst at 683-6610 ext. 229 or by e-mail at tom.hurst@nilesschools.org.