My Nonprofit Reviews

Thanks to a scholarship from the Feronia Forward Foundation I had a tremendous opportunity to bring my class of twenty-eight fifth grade students from Stearns Elementary School in Pittsfield, MA to Ramblewild for a day of environmental adventure. I reached out to Ramblewild staff for their expertise in developing an educational program tailored to our STEAM based state standards; they were extraordinarily helpful and together we developed a lesson plan focused on discovering the various aspects of their forest ecosystem. The staff led us on an hour-guided nature hike through the forest and the students recorded "Trail Notes" of the planst and animals that they observed along the way. When we returned to the lodge we discussed the various discoveries different students observed. Henry David Thoreau once wrote, "It's not what you look at, but what you see." And, now our students were teaching each other about what they saw and learned in the forest ecosystem. The students were given a homework assignment to research an aspect of one of their findings that they recorded in their "Trail Notes" to deepen their appreciation of the forest and their knowledge of their environment. This experience greatly triggered their curiosity for learning about nature as reflected in their outstanding essays the next day and their continued interest in the natural sciences. We are truly grateful to Mr. Cugnasca and the Feronia Forward Foundation for making this wonderful educational experience possible. I highly recommend this to educators for their students at all grades.

Andrew Mickle
5th Grade Teacher
Stearns Elementary School
Pittsfield, MA

I'm a fifth grade teacher that recently brought my class to Ramblewild, an outdoor aerial adventure park in Lanesboro, MA. through a Feronia Forward scholarship. Ramblewild instructors taught my students about the plants and animals in the forest and how they are connected in this ecosystem; then they were given a lesson on the science on ziplining. This was a day to disconnect from technology and reconnect with the natural world. The students began with ground school training to better understand the skills, techniques and challenges of the aerial courses. While climbing my students acquired skills in problem-solving, decision-making, stress management, self-confidence and teamwork. Students connected with their classmates and teachers in a fun, non-traditional learning environment.

I first learned about Feronia Forward four years ago while looking for a new family outdoor experience close to home. My wife, two children and I decided to give Ramblewild a visit. After spending the day in the tree-to-tree aerial park, meandering from element to element (high wires, zip lines, rope ladders, cargo nets, balancing logs and suspended bridges) we found the excitement we were looking for. That summer I connected with Ramblewild's program director, Luke Bloom to learn more about Feronia Foward's educational programs. Luke informed me that each program was aligned to the state standards and would support my curriculum goals.
I then met with Feronia Forward's president Giovanna Cugnasca and her father Paolo. We explored educational funding and scholarships made available to local schools. With their help, my class was fortunate to visit Ramblewild. Through the initial visit and now others, my students have participated in several Feronia Forward's STEM outdoor academic adventures. Students have been able to connect with nature through fun and interactive nature hikes in the sugarbush, (Massachusetts Science Standard, Life Science: Plant Structures and Functions #2 & #3, Adaptations of Living Things #9 & #11) been educated on wildlife tracking and the mammals of Western Massachusetts, and learned about invasive insects, (Emerald Ash borer) that threaten our forests.
As a Stearns fifth grader, my son did his school science project on maple sugar production and worked aside Rambjlewild's staff to learn how to tap sugar maple trees using modern plastic taps and conventional (metal) taps to compare each taps extracting efficiency. He collected and analyzed data over the period of one week to test his hypothesis and solve his problem. He later shared, "Learning how to do scientific experiments in nature through hands-on instruction and activities at Ramblewild is more fun than in a school classroom."
My classes have also learned to identify common rocks and minerals, as well as the different kinds of trees that can be found in Berkshire County's forest. A parent chaperone commented, "It's nice to see my son and his friends outside learning in nature and away from technology for the day." We participated in the energy program, learning about renewable and nonrenewable energy, (Physical Sciences: Forms of Energy #4 & #5, Electrical Energy #6, Earth and Space Science: Earth's History #12) and toured the wind turbines atop Brodie Mountain. Students were mesmerized by the height of the wind turbines, length of their blades and amount of energy generated by each.
For many students it was their first time experiencing a tree-to tree aerial ropes course. (Technology/Engineering-Materials and Tools #1.1, #1.2, #1.3; Engineering Design #2.3). Although nervous and apprehensive at first, with the support from staff and cheering on from thier classmates all students were able to complete at least one to two or even three courses. I watched and listened as my students backed one another, trusting the peers verbal cues as they led them through the challenging obstacles. At the Aerial Adventure Park, students strengthened their leadership and team building skills as well as gained confidence and a boost in self esteem.
At the end of the day, students learned about and sample Feronia Forward products: Mission Maple Syrup and Vertical Water. A student named Ella shared, "I never knew trees could make something that tastes so wonderful." As a Pittsfield Public School educator I have been fortunate to connect with an organization that provides fun-filled educational programs to support my professional teaching goals. After every visit to Ramblewild students rave about their experiences with family and friends. At graduation students are asked to share one memory of elementary school. Most begin by saying, "My favorite memory at Stearns was going to Ramblewild, zip-lining across the ravine and hanging with my friends." I can't thank Feronia Forward enough for providing my students with so many joyful experiences and memories made at Ramblewild.