EDUCATION 

As part of its work in education, the Foundation offers a variety of indoor/outdoor learning opportunities for children of all ages and circumstances, teaching them skills that will help them sustain themselves and the environment.

Why We Care

According to statistics published by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the socioeconomic status of Allegany County is far below that of Appalachia or the U.S. overall. Specifically, Allegany County has a higher level of poverty (14.8%) than both Appalachia and the U.S., and a lower per capita market income (less than 75% of the national average). In summary, due to the economic status of their families, many of the County’s children are often deprived of opportunities that can make a difference in their lives now and in the future.  The Evergreen Heritage Center Foundation and its partners believe that they can leverage the natural, historical, and cultural resources of the Evergreen Heritage Center, as well as its partners expertise, to provide young people with the hands-on knowledge and tools by which to break the cycle of poverty.

Taking the First Step:  The Evergreen Heritage Center Feasibility Study

To begin pursuing its work in education, in 2008, the Evergreen Heritage Center Foundation partnered with Frostburg State University (FSU), Allegany College of Maryland (ACM), and Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS) under a grant funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, FSU, and the FSU Foundation (and supported by Senators Mikulski and Cardin, Congressman Bartlett, Maryland Senator Edwards, and Maryland Delegate Kelly), to develop a Feasibility Study/business plan in support of their shared missions in education. This Study identified over 100 courses, science camps, and projects that can leverage the Evergreen Heritage Center for hands-on learning, including 102 existing FSU courses (ranging from the arts to biology to business), six continuting education programs at ACM, and summer science day camp activities for ACPS.  For more detail on the results of the Feasibility Study, click here.

Additional Opportunities in Education

Other educational opportunities were also identified during the Study including those for Juvenile Services (“green” job skills), the Salvation Army and YMCA (after school and summer camp workshops), plus environmental education for Head Start and other children, wellness education outreach, home schooling programs, senior day care, and programs for the disabled.

For a description of the education programs currently being offered at the Evergreen Heritage Center, click here.