December’s Theme: Hibernation, Insulation, Adaptation!

PVAS Educator: Ellie George

$150/child (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). This price includes all of the Outdoor School sessions for the month. Registrations after the first session will be prorated. For kids ages 6-10. Pre-registration is required and limited to 8 participants.

This program has a minimum of 2 participants.

In December, Outdoor School will be all about how animals and plants survive in the winter. We will look at different types of dormancy and how they differ between mammals, reptiles, insects, and plants. We will also learn about the ways that non-hibernating animals change their bodies and diets to survive a cold and dormant world.

Dates: December 4, December 11, December 18 (Skip December 25, Christmas)

Click here to learn more about Outdoor School.

Register Here!

Registration will remain open until the start of the program.

If the required minimum # of people do not register by 4 pm the evening prior, the program will be cancelled.

Read our pricing structure & policies.

About Ellie:

Ellie is a PVAS Program Specialist. She is a lifelong resident of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. She grew up in the woods of western Berkeley County, where she discovered a great love for wild spaces and outdoor exploration. Ellie holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Shepherd University with a minor in English. Between semesters and after graduation, she gained experience in a number of roles including camp counselor for underserved youth in Morgan County, intern at the National Conservation Training Center, a college lab assistant, and program development and nonprofit administration at a local food security organization. She also spent time working at an organic vegetable farm to fuel her ardent need to be outdoors.

She joined Potomac Valley Audubon Society for the first time as an AmeriCorps Environmental Educator for the 2022-2023 school year and summer camp season. After her term expired, she avidly volunteered with PVAS whenever possible, and worked part time for the 2025 summer camp season. She settled into her role as Cool Spring Camp Director and Program Specialist in 2026.

Ellie is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Appalachian Studies, with the possibility of continuing to a master’s degree. She resides in Berkeley County. In her free time, she can be found reading, crafting, cooking (especially with foraged ingredients,) and listening to, performing, and writing music.