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History


School of Environmental Education flowersThe School of Environmental Education (S.E.E.) opened on September 1, 1982. The physical plant included one large assembly room, one central bathhouse, three cabins and a trailer house for the on campus staff. Two staff members, Sr. Thomas Ann LaCour, O.P., principal and teacher and Miss Judy Bate, teacher, began preparation for the students. S.E.E. accepted its first students on December 1, 1982 From December to May, 472 students from 18 different schools attended the program. On January 6, 1983, the school was accredited. In the fall of 1983, a third teacher, Sr. Assumpta Campbell was hired making it possible to invite schools with more than 30 fifth graders. Facilities were also increased that third year to include a second trailer house, an outdoor stage, a pioneer hut, and a greenhouse. A new garage was constructed in October 1987, for tools and half of the existing garage was converted into a new school office. S.E.E. was visited by an accrediting team in October 1989 and retained its accreditation. A part time teacher was hired in September 1991 to allow existing teachers to come closer to a 40 hour week. An Advisory School Board consisting of 5 members was established in April 1992. A large storage/work garage (Ben's Barn) was built in April of 1994. In September the school purchased a Pollution Teaching Model designed for our area by Harry Buck. A second part time teacher was hired to travel with the Model, and to be a fourth teacher on campus when the number of students rose above 60. A grant was obtained from the Harry & Isabel Cameron Foundation with the help of Priscilla Bormet and a new 4-story barn (Priscilla's Place) was built in August 1996

The new building replaced the old animal's barn as well as providing a hay loft for class room space. In the summer of 1998, a log house was built by summer campers to serve as a canoe teaching area on rainy day. An addition to the existing school office was completed in January of 2000. The addition doubled the size of the office and included a much-needed bathroom. In the spring of 2000 construction began on a 3000 sq. ft. house for the staff. The house can accommodate 5 staff members. Teachers share a common kitchen, living and dining room area, but have a private bedroom and bath. Staff moved in September 3, 2000. A time capsule was filled by participating schools and buried on campus in 2000 to be opened in 50 years.

Beginning in November of 2000 and continuing through August, 2001, the surrounding forest under went GREAT DESTRUCTION from drought, disease and LOGGERS. Much effort had to go into the preparation for the opening of school, September, 2001. During the months of January, February, and March, 2002, 5th grade students planted 1,100 pine saplings in the areas where the pine bark beetle reaped destruction. The areas were marked with signs designating the date and school that planted that particular forest.

A "School of Environmental Education Newsletter" was begun in 2003, per TCCED's request for S.E.E. to educate the adults. A new school brochure and power point presentation was developed to help with advertisement of the program. A Mother/Daughter, Father/Son day was begun to raise extra monies. Only the Mother/Daughter day came to be and it was poorly attended.

A walk-in icebox and freezer was built in July of 2005. Permission to build a "Global Village was granted on April 1, 2005. Construction began immediately and on October 6, 2005 students visited the "Global Village" for the first time. Due to Hurricane Rita the first two weeks of the 2005-2006 school year were cancelled or moved to another date. Greening the School Program began in 2005-2006 school year. Five schools participated.

A new class introduced in the 2009-2010 school year, teaches about energy The history of energy,definition of energy, most used forms and alternative energies are covered. A new solar structure supporting solar panels helps to educate students and reduce the cost of electricity for Camp Kappe. Plans are in the making to erect a 45ft. wind turbin. This wind tower will contribute to the energy class and also help reduce the cost of electricity.

At present the School of Environmental Education serves 5 different Dioceses (Austin, Beaumont, Brownsville, San Antonio and Galveston-Houston). Staff consist of 4 full time teachers, 2 part time teachers, 1 cook and a maintenance man.