Galax Enrichment Program 

Galax After School and Full Week Enrichment Programs

As part of Galax Public School's ongoing efforts to provide a top tier education for their youth, they have partnered with Blue Ridge Discovery Center to offer a series of engaging programs.  Each week, BRDC brings hands-on classes and field trips about natural history as it relates to the Blue Ridge. Each semester, Galax public school system takes a two week break, but for one of those weeks they offer enrichment programs. As a partner in the program, BRDC has built a butterfly garden, taught fly fishing, explored primitive technology, created art with nature, played games and provided the opportunity to travel to treasures in the Blue Ridge!

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Goin' Fishin'
Goin' Fishin'

The weather cooperated for a short afternoon fishing trip to a local pond.

Nature Photography for Galax Intersession
Nature Photography for Galax Intersession

Getting outside almost always leads to beautiful sights and with photography we have the opportunity to share those visual treasures that stop us in our tracks.

A Visit to Jeff Matthew's Museum
A Visit to Jeff Matthew's Museum

On a Friday after school field trip, Galax Middle School students visited the Jeff Matthews Museum

Stars, Planets and More!
Stars, Planets and More!

In keeping with the mission of BRDC to inspire curiosity and discovery, 12 students from Galax Middle school traveled to Winston Salem to visit the new Kaleideum North.

Galax Middle School has a "Spook"tacular Week!
Galax Middle School has a "Spook"tacular Week!

During Halloween week, Wildlife Rehabilitator and Naturalist Darin Handy, provided education and entertainment to the students at Galax Middle School. 

BRDC Partners with Galax for Hands-On Summer Day Camp Fun
BRDC Partners with Galax for Hands-On Summer Day Camp Fun

Continuing a successful relationship built through afterschool programs and weekend field trips during the 2016 and 2017 school years, BRDC partnered with Galax Public Schools this summer to offer four unique, weeklong camps in June and July. The camps were hands-on, experiential learning based, outdoor skills focused, and offered free of charge to 3rd-7th grade Galax students.

Galax Middle Visits Grandfather Mountain
Galax Middle Visits Grandfather Mountain

On May 6th, students from Galax Middle School took a trip up 5,946’ to the top of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. There they had the opportunity to learn about the various flora and fauna that inhabit the mountains’ 16 distinct ecosystems.

Learning about Amphibians & Aquatic Insects
Learning about Amphibians & Aquatic Insects

BRDC has been busy with education programs, working with Galax Middle School, Fries School, Fairview Elementary, Grayson Highlands, Independence Elementary.

Grayson County's fourth grade students participated in the Natural Heritage Program with an emphasis on salamanders, toads, and frogs. Students learned about salamanders commonly found in the Blue Ridge.

Galax After School Field Trip
Galax After School Field Trip

Students in Galax Middle School's After School Program are learning about Primitive Technology this month. At the beginning of the week, students discussed the meaning of primitive technology and experimented with different pottery techniques.

A Week of Exploration, Messy Adventures, Engineering & Creativity!
A Week of Exploration, Messy Adventures, Engineering & Creativity!

Both staff and volunteers were on-the-go as we taught students from Galax Middle School for their Enrichment Week. Enrichment week gives students a break from the everyday class routine and allows them to gain crucial experience outside of the classroom. BRDC provided students with three different programs that they could choose from including Pioneering, Crafting with Nature, and Exploration and Discovery.