After nearly a year of discussion and planning, a formal completion date — April 7 — for an outdoor classroom to be used by Prince Edward County (PEC) Public Schools. Officials made the announcement during last Wednesday’s PEC school board meeting. The outdoor classroom will be built on land behind Prince Edward elementary and high schools.

Janet Green, a health and physical education teacher at Prince Edward High School, originated the concept. Green said fellow teachers Emily Camden and Mary Cook helped her make the outdoor classroom idea a reality.

“Thank you all for taking this journey with me,” Green said during the meeting. “It’s very exciting to me to see all of this coming together.”

Green first came to the board with the idea last November at a time when members were contemplating using the proposed space for new sport fields, Green said.

She said as time has gone on, and with the help of the board, the vision for the classroom has become more refined.

“I’m just pleased. I’m glad to see it focused now,” Vice Chair and Hampden District Board Member Beulah Womack said. “That’s what kids need. They need that hands-on experience. This is exactly what it needs to be.”

The plan, Green said, includes a nature trail, at least 1-mile walking trail, a traditional classroom with seating for 35 students, team building stations, orienteering and geocaching.

“We’re moving forward, and we’re moving forward because it’s not really costing us anything,” Superintendent Dr. Barbara Johnson said.

Green said much of the work on the trail and classroom will be completed by various classes at the high school. Signs for the trail will be wood burned by art classes, building trade students will help cut wood for signs and help make picnic tables while horticulture students will study run off and make recommendations for where the trail should be placed.

High Bridge Trail State Park employees and local Eagle Scouts will also contribute to the construction process.

Lockett District representative Dr. Chapman Hood Frazier noted the small amount of time children are outdoors.

“I think the research says that kids get outside, worldwide, 8 minutes a day, is outside time,” Frazier said.

“As opposed to three hours (a day with) technology,” Green agreed.

Those at the meeting agreed on the importance of increasing outdoor teaching opportunities. Buffalo District Representative Wilkie Chaffin mentioned the possibility of re-establishing an envirothon group at the high school, which could use the outdoor classroom.

“The whole team has done a great job,” Chairman and Farmville Representative Sherry Honeycutt said.

As the project progress, the committee will need help with designing and building the trail.

They will also need material for the team building station, including lumber, cables and hardware, Green said.

She said it’s important to just get outdoors and said hands-on learning is more effective.

The trail will have entrances for the high school and elementary school. Green and her committee are working on lessons that can be utilized by teachers at any of the three schools.

“The backing of the board has been key,” Green said. “Dr. Johnson has been fabulous. She even walked the trail in high heels.”