Chenango Canal hosted field school
On June 5 and 7, the Chenango Canal Association hosted the seventh annual Field School on the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail, Bouckville, to 70 fourth graders from Madison and Hamilton Central Schools last week.
The CCA partnered with the following organizations and Friends of the Canal who helped teach the students about nature, history and environmental conservation. Fourth graders learned about identifying mammals local to Central New York State by viewing and touching fur pelts brought by Steve Wratten, Mike and Tim and Sydney Evans from the Madison County Conservation Club.
Joan Prindle, from the Hamilton Public Library taught children about being a cook on a canal boat in a living history presentation. TJ Moorehead, Angela Reed from Norwich and Charlie Page (CCA Board Member) led the students on a history hunt telling a story about a hoggee and finding gold coins on the Towpath Trail.
Wade Lallier, President of the Clinton Historical Society helped the fourth graders participate in laying out dimensions of a boat on the trail and playing out the jobs of a captain, steersman, cook and hoggee. John Bailey built a model of a lock that students interacted with to see how water raised and lowered the boats. Diane Van Slyke taught about canal history by organizing a multiple choice game.
Hands-on learning helps students remember what they learn and focuses on teaching local history and nature.