The Sly Park Environmental Education Center, operated by the Sacramento County Office of Education, has been recognized for its work with youth by the North Area Teen Center of Sacramento.
At the annual "Heart of a Hero" awards banquet, held by the North Area Teen Center on 22 March, the Sly Park Environmental Education Center received the "Knowledge of the Heart" award.
The North Area Teen Center cited Sly Park for the education and life skills taught to students at the campus, which is located within the El Dorado National Forest. In presenting Sly Park Principal Steven "Hoppy" Hopkins with the "Knowledge of the Heart" award, the North Area Teen Center stated:
"During the 30-year history of the Sly Park Environmental Education Center more than 250,000 children from a nine-county area have visited the outdoor education learning center to learn about their environment. Open year-round, the facility offers week-end and summer programs in addition to its Monday through Friday natural history/outdoor science program for area fifth and sixth graders. The curriculum is tied into the [state] science standards [for] sixth graders and provides a hands-on outdoor learning experience for children where they learn first-hand about what's going on in nature. Hiking into different habitat areas, identifying plants and assessing organisms in a stream, as well as sketching and working with clay or a pottery wheel, are some of the activities. In addition, there is the social component where children learn how to make friends and work cooperatively with others. The center also utilizes high school students as cabin leaders. More than 1,000 student volunteers have developed skills in leadership, team-building, parenting and communication through their experience."
"Heart of a Hero" awards are bestowed annually by the nonprofit North Area Teen Center to salute "people, programs and local businesses doing exceptional work for, and with, kids." The 2001 "Heart of a Hero" awards were sponsored by e.Republic, Incorporated. Serving as chairperson of the 22 March "Heart of a Hero" awards banquet was Sacramento County Sheriff Lou Blanas. Information about "Heart of a Hero" awards is available from the North Area Teen Center at (916) 486-9893.