| Station 1 |
Weather Station |
The Weather Station was donated to the Outdoor
Classroom by the United States Weather Bureau. The unit had been
retired and was restored by Boy Scout Troop 30 (as an Eagle Scout project).
 | It is painted white to reflect the sun's rays and to give more
accurate readings. |
| The unit faces North to reduce the amount of exposure to the sun
when opened. |
| The unit contains instruments to measure:
 | Temperature (Thermometer) |
| Barometric Pressure (Barometer) |
| Humidity |
| Wind Direction (Weather Vane) |
| Precipitation (Rain Gauge & Snow Gauge) |
|
All of the instruments were destroyed by vandals in 2005, and were replaced by Cub Scout Pack
30 in 2007.
For information about each of the instruments, teaching aids, and weather
observer's forms, click
here. Scouts, for information about how the Weather Station can be
used to complete Cub Scout requirements & electives, click
here.
|
| Station 2 |
Wildflower Area |
This area is planted with a variety of
wildflowers to invite a variety of butterflies and songbirds into the
Outdoor Classroom.
|
| Station 3 |
Geology Field |
This area is reserved for the display of rocks
and minerals which are native to Missouri. A field in which students
may touch, identify, compare, and contrast rocks.
|
| Station 4 |
Prairie |
Our Prairie was planted several years ago with
numerous plants, Forbes, and grasses that are considered
"endangered". We are pleased that the Royal Catchfly plant
was very successful in our prairie.
|
| Station 5 |
Mini Exhibits |
There are several small exhibits displayed in
this area:
| Small Geology Field - can you identify any of the rocks or
minerals? |
| Bird Bath - to encourage animal habitation. |
| Sun Dial - built in August 1993 by Cub Scout Pack 30
| A Time Capsule is buried under the Sun Dial, containing (along
with other items):
 | News articles of recent events |
| Roll of paper signed by Fairmount Students |
| List of Scouts in Pack 30 at the time |
|
|
| Tree Ring - a "slice" of a fallen tree.
| Count the rings to determine how old the tree was. |
| Each growth ring contains two colors. The lighter ring is
called the Cambium, or early wood, and is made up of thin walled
cells each Spring. The darker ring forms as the tree slows
its growth in Summer. |
|
| Purple Martin House - built in early 1994 to encourage
homesteading by Purple Martin families who live in colonies and feed
upon mosquitoes.
|
|
| Station 6 |
Upland Forrest # 1 |
An area displaying trees and shrubs that are
found in forest regions.
|
| Station 7 |
Pine Forrest |
An area of Austrian Pine, White Pine, Yellow
Pine, and Cedar trees.
|
| Station 8 |
Butterfly Garden |
An area planted with flowers and plants that
attract Butterflies.
|
| Station 9 |
Upland Forrest # 2 |
An area displaying trees and shrubs that are
found in forest regions.
|
| Station 10 |
Perennial Bed |
Perennials are plants that grow year after year
without having to replant. This bed contains Sweet Williams, Shasta
Daisies, Iris, Tiger Lilies, Live Forever, and Peonies.
|
| Station 11 |
Wildlife Habitats |
Brush Piles are stacked to provide shelter for
small wildlife (there are a number of wildlife habitats throughout the
Outdoor Classroom).
| A Bald Cypress tree is located within this area; this tree looks
very much like an evergreen, however it drops its foliage during
winter and is native to swamps in the South.
|
|
| Station 12 |
Animal Track Pad |
A variety of Animal and Leaf Prints are
displayed in this station. Refer to the Animal Track Pad Answer Key
for specific identification.
|
| Station 13 |
Laboratory Bench # 1 |
The laboratory benches can be used by students
to study specimens from the Outdoor Classroom.
|
| Station 14 |
Marsh & Small Pond |
A natural drainage area where water is
collected. An artificial pond is also buried in the area,
providing students with an opportunity to study animal and plant life.
| Keep your eyes open, you might see some turtles in the pond.
|
|
| Station 15 |
West Border |
A number of trees and shrubs, offering shade
and homes to wildlife, are displayed in this area.
|
| Station 16 |
Bridge |
The bridge provides students an excellent
viewing point of natural erosion and plants used to control it.
|
| Station 17 |
Laboratory Bench # 2 |
The laboratory benches can be used by students
to study specimens from the Outdoor Classroom.
|
| Station 18 |
Wildlife Food Plot |
The plot is planted with Milo, Millet, and
Trailing Soybean; these are frequently used for feeding of wildlife.
|
| Station 19 |
Compost / Brush Pile |
Where grass, tree limbs, and other natural
waste are broken down and recycled naturally.
| There is also one Screech Owl House and two Bat Houses in this
area. The Screech Owl and Bat are both nocturnal predators.
|
|
| Station 20 |
Tree Nursery |
Silver Maples, Pines, Rebuds, Oaks, Dogwoods,
Sweet Gums, and other trees are located in this area.
|
| Station 21 |
Garden Area |
An area used by the Cub Scout Den's to grow
garden vegetables.
|
| Bird Houses |
A variety of Bird Houses are located around the
Outdoor Classroom -- how many can you find?
|
| Lecture Area |
The lecture area contains a podium and several
benches, and can be used for demonstrations, presentations or lectures.
|
| Pathways & Fence |
A variety of pathways connect the various
stations and display areas within the Outdoor Classroom, and the entire
classroom is surrounded by a chain link fence.
|
| Autumn Olive Border |
A "natural border" between the
Outdoor Classroom and neighbors was planted in 1983. The Autumn
Olive provides privacy, food (berries), and nesting for inhabitants of the
Outdoor Classroom.
|
