East Grand students learn firearm safety; Outdoor learning experience

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) - Students from East Grand High school were given a shot to learn a new skill, with help from the Presque Isle Fish and Game club.

As part of the outdoor education program at East Grand High School, students took to the range, to learn and practice how to safely handle firearms.

“A third of our students today have never shot a gun before, so its kind of neat that we can take and provide that opportunity,” Dave Conley, Outdoor Education Instructor said.

Conley says through this program, students are given the chance to learn outside of the traditional classroom setting.

“Our school is really going in the direction of being an outdoor school. We’re trying to brand the school with that imagery. So, we’re doing a lot K-12 in many different aspects of the outdoors and we’re integrating it into the learning process. But the kids are excited to be here, they know it’s a unique thing that they get to do.”

For students like Jordan Mayhew and Phoebe Foss, the opportunity to learn is welcomed.

“The experience I think is really once in a lifetime because you don’t get this all day, every day,” Mayhew said. “But it’s a really good opportunity to have, I would definitely rather be doing this than being in a classroom.”

“It’s really fun to get the different learning opportunities and I think it has really helped me a lot,” Foss said. “I think it helps are students be more well-rounded than your average kid in school.”

Conley says he would like to see more schools have the conversation about outdoor learning opportunities for students.

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