Learning beyond the classroom: Rural Teacher Corps plans Family Hike at Dysart Woods

For students in Ohio University Eastern’s Rural Teacher Corps, learning extends far beyond the classroom.

Through hands-on experiences and community partnerships, students are gaining practical skills in education, leadership and engagement. Their latest effort brings that learning into the community with a Family Hike at Dysart Woods on Sunday, May 3 from 2 to 4 p.m., hosted by Ohio University Eastern’s Rural Teacher Corps in partnership with Captina Conservancy and Building Bridges to Careers.

The event invites families to explore Dysart Woods while participating in interactive, student-led activities designed to connect children with nature.

“The mission of the Ohio University Eastern Rural Teacher Corps is to ensure our education students recognize the assets in their local community. In planning this event with Captina Conservancy, students experience firsthand how an asset-based approach can drive the stewardship of our local resources. This leadership role allows our students to shift from being observers to active community stakeholders, gaining the confidence to transform their future classrooms into hubs for local engagement and regional pride,” said Jacqueline Yahn, associate professor of middle childhood education at Ohio University Eastern.

The Rural Teacher Corps focuses on preparing future educators to serve rural communities, emphasizing place-based learning and community engagement. Events like the Family Hike allow students to apply those principles in real-world settings.

During the event, families can take part in a story hike featuring Smokey Bear, a nature scavenger hunt with prizes, and activities at a pavilion base-camp, along with snacks and refreshments.

Students have worked closely with Marshall Dyer, land protection manager for Captina Conservancy, to plan the event and learn more about the environmental and educational significance of the site.

Dysart Woods is a rare late-successional forest, home to trees more than 500 years old. Much of the surrounding land in eastern Ohio was cleared for farming, mining or logging, making the preservation of Dysart Woods both unique and significant.

“Dysart Woods sits in a unique spot,” Dyer said. “Because it’s down in a steep holler, it was difficult to access for logging. A lot of its survival comes down to that, along with the initiative of the Dysart family to preserve it.”

Since the 1960s, the site has served as a place where families can experience the natural state of Ohio’s forests, making it an ideal setting for the Rural Teacher Corps to bring learning outdoors.

For Dyer, the partnership reflects a shared goal of connecting people, especially young learners, to the environment.

“With everything competing for attention now, it’s easy to lose that connection to being outside,” he said. “But when kids spend time in the woods, they build memories they can carry with them.”

For students in the Rural Teacher Corps, the experience is equally impactful.

Kiara Triplett said planning the event has helped bridge the gap between theory and practice. 

“This experience has shown me how important it is to create opportunities for children to learn through exploration,” Triplett said. “We want this to be something families enjoy, but also something that encourages kids to stay curious about the world around them.”

Sophia Withrow said the partnership has highlighted the value of community-based learning.

“Being able to work with Captina Conservancy and learn from Marshall has been really meaningful,” Withrow said. “It’s given us a chance to see how education can happen outside of a traditional classroom.”

As students continue to plan the event, the focus remains on creating an experience that is welcoming, engaging and accessible to families across the region.

“I hope families come out, spend time together and enjoy being outside,” Withrow said. “If kids leave wanting to explore more or come back again, that’s a success.”

The Family Hike at Dysart Woods is free and open to families and community members. A rain date is scheduled for May 10. For more information, contact dysartwoods@captina.org.