Principal Todd Giszack is pleased to announce that the Academy applied for and received a significant financial grant from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. The grant will assist with OHA’s Environmental Literacy Initiative (ELI).
Last year Oak Hill Academy established a new ELI program. The idea was inspired by the diverse ecology and biology of the location of the school’s campus. Here in Grayson County, Virginia, our community is embedded in the Appalachian Mountains. We’re in the shadow of Mt. Rogers, the tallest peak in the state. OHA also is situated on the banks of the New River, which is one of the oldest rivers on earth. There is no better location for place-based education than the campus of our boarding school!
We worked to establish partnerships with regional environmental advocates. We soon formed alliances with the New River Conservancy, The Blue Ridge Discovery Center, and the New River Wildlife and Conservation Club. We also determined the ELI’s four foundational pillars: academic study, field investigation, experiential learning, and service. OHA hired Mr. Aaron Grubbs as environmental educator and program director. Then the school set out to acquire funding for necessary supplies, including hip waders, nets, testing supplies for both soil and water evaluation, and other lab equipment.
Fortunately, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s established their nationally-known Outdoor Fund to assist organizations promoting environmental education. We are grateful for these grant monies as we purchase needed supplies and continue our work creating citizens who are good stewards of the environment.
Todd Giszack
Principal
Oak Hill Academy