<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Shelter Blog_1.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 188px; float: right;" />Prior to taking over Au Sable&rsquo;s environmental education program I had spent 2 years working for the North Cascades Institute in Washington State.&nbsp;&nbsp; North Cascades Institute is located at the base of the cascade crest, which meant that we literally worked and taught in a rain forest.&nbsp; Wet weather brought about inherent challenges in keeping the children warm and all of our teaching materials dry.&nbsp; Aside from perpetually wrapping everything in plastic (students included), the Institute designed a trail system that included strategic placement of a handful of shelters along the pathway allowing for respite from the elements.&nbsp; These teaching shelters did more than provide cover from the wind and rain, they also provided a familiar setting for learning and the fort-like qualities generated a unique excitement in the children.&nbsp; As a result, despite the wet cold conditions, we were able to deliver remarkable learning programs, which provided the children with positive outdoor experiences when often the situation presented significant challenges to anything outdoors affirming.&nbsp;</p>
