Terra Summer, a Food-centric Educational Program

We launch this summer in Mills River, N.C. Terra Summer, a one-of-the-kind interdisciplinary experience for middle-school students that uses the magical world of food-from growing to cooking to eating-to teach children elements of a rigorous academic curriculum while exploring local and global social, environmental, and economic issues.

About Terra Summer

Terra Summer is a fun, exploratory program designed to accelerate student learning, keep children from falling behind during the summer months, and positively affect character development by connecting children to themselves, others, and the world at large. Through the process of growing food at the school's organic farm, cooking in the school kitchen lab, and eating together, students deepen threads of their school curriculum-from math and geometry to plant science, chemistry, history, geography, economics, and anthropology. Also, we reflect on and discuss a variety of concepts that are central to the Terra School vision: where our food comes from; who grows it and under what circumstances; the empowerment of the individual to make choices; our responsibility towards the earth, communal resources, and other beings; awareness of other lands and peoples; respect for our bodies through nutrition and exercise; how food connects us all, in strife and joy. There is a story-and an impact-behind everything we eat, and we should know what it is.

Terra Summer is inquiry-based, aimed at making children active engines behind their own learning. Our program provides opportunities for meaningful readings, journaling, portfolio projects, reflections and discussions. We take field trips, learn about bugs and worms, make pizza, plant gardens, make art, and run a mobile produce stand called The Veggie Van.

Terra Summer is not a remedial program or an alternative program or a program designed for children with any particular needs. It is simply a program that uses a non-traditional vehicle to link and make sense of the array of wonderful topics that make our world. We seek a diverse group of children ages 11-14 (grades 6 through 8) who like to spend time outdoors and in the kitchen, question things, grow things, and taste and learn about new things. Come make new friends, taste new foods, and look at the world through a new lens.

Enrollment, Transportation and Location Details

Terra Summer takes place on a working organic farm located between Hendersonville and Asheville. The 2009 program consists of one four-week session from July 20 through August 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 4 pm Monday through Friday (early drop-off begins at 8:30 am). The total cost is $600; scholarships, full and partial, are available. Because Terra Summer is an academic enrichment program, students are encouraged to attend the full session. TRANSPORTATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE! ENROLLMENT IS STILL OPEN!!!

The Terra School believes that all activities should foster care, compassion, respect, and a sense of global awareness and responsibility.

For more information visit www.terraschool.org or call Sybil at 828-782-7842.

See Photos of Terra Summer on the Original Post at AshevilleNow.com.

John Waters coming to Ashvegas

Crossposted from Ashvegas:

*Cinema Legend John Waters to Speak at UNC Asheville September 19*
*Waters' Films Screened September 12-18*

John Waters, the man who perfected cinematic camp, will discuss his work and wild approach to creativity at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, at UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium. The filmmaking legend launches UNC Asheville's 2007-08 Distinguished Speakers Series.

A native of Baltimore, Waters made his first film "Hag in a Black Leather Jacket" at age 18. Though it was shown only once in a beatnik coffee house, it launched his career. Waters has gone on to make 15 more films, including such cult classics as "Pink Flamingos," "Hairspray" and "Cecil B. DeMented." Waters helped solidify the career of his childhood best friend, drag queen Divine, as well as Johnny Depp, who starred in his 1990 film "Cry Baby."

In addition to filmmaking, Waters has acted in a number of movies, including his own, and has appeared on popular television shows, such as "The Simpsons," "My Name is Earl" and "Frasier." He has a regular role as the Groom Reaper on "'Til Death Do Us Part."

General admission tickets are $30. Because of the high demand of tickets for this event, all patrons are limited to purchasing just two tickets. Tickets go on sale September 10. To reserve tickets by phone, call UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Box Office at 828/232-5000. For information about purchasing group tickets, call 828/251-6991. If the event is not sold out, local students will be able to purchase $10 tickets with school ID cards at the door the night of the talk.

Prior to his talk, UNC Asheville will host a John Waters Film Festival. Four of Waters' best-loved films will be shown at 8 p.m. in UNC Asheville's Humanities Lecture Hall. Discussions will follow. Admission is $5 cash or check at the door. Films in the series include: "Polyester" on Wednesday, Sept. 12; "Hairspray" on Thursday, Sept. 13; "Cry Baby" on Monday, Sept. 17; and "Serial Mom" on Tuesday, Sept. 18.

The next event in the Speakers' Series is an evening with acclaimed sustainable-design architect Michael Singer on October 24.

For more information, call 828/251-6991 or click on www.unca.edu/culturalarts/.

Seems like everybody's got a John Waters story. What's yours?