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EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
Becoming a steward of the earth isn't a subject commonly taught in school, even as important as it has become. One waythat the Spirit of Alexandria has chosen to spread the love of nature and future stewardship of the earth, is by providing scholarships to the Middle School Field Ecology Program provided by the Teton Science Schools, located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Scholarship winners will enjoy a 10-day, residential educational adventure in the ecology of the Greater Yellowstone Geo-ecosystem. They will explore diverse wildlife and the various landscapes of the region with Teton Science Schools' instructors. Week one focuses on field ecology skills and includes a student-designed research project, while the last four days celebrate newly acquired knowledge and friendships by connecting to both nature and human communities.
In 2006, the foundation started an annual commitment to sending students from Charyl Stockwell Academy to the MSFEP. CSA was an obvious choice for the first scholarships; the school Alexandria had attended. Another key factor was that the Bennett's knew firsthand the school, the teachers and the students. It is important that the Spirit of Alexandria Foundation build a reputation for sending children that are worthy of the scholarships awarded to them. The selection process is a very in depth procedure that includes a questionnaire that the students themselves must answer. Once the applications are turned in to CSA staff, Leah and Craig Bennett, Chuck and Shelley Stockwell and two middle school teachers discuss the applications. Grades, interest in science, hiking experience, leadership skills, working well with new people and the chance of the student ever attending a program like this without the scholarship, each weighed using a point system. This process has proven to work quite well.
"Charyl Stockwell Academy was privileged to have Alexandria Bennett as a student in our school. From the moment Alexandria first entered CSA, she was a child that had a contagious smile, an abiding love for all animals, an enjoyment of gardening, and a sense of delight in sharing things with others. She had a wonderful "zest for life", a good sense of humor, was self-assured and confident, and had wisdom and intelligence beyond her young age. She also was sensitive and compassionate . . . t wo special traits that were particularly endearing to her family and friends. She was an extraordinary young girl that touched the lives of others in many beautiful ways. She will be truly missed by all of us who knew her. CSA will remember her, and celebrate her life forever and always."
Shelley Stockwell
CSA Executive Director
December, 2005
 
The foundation has successfully sent 17 students in the past five years. In 2008 2009 and 2010 the foundation not only sent students from Michigan, but was able to send a child from rural Wyoming, who did not have the means or ability without the awarded scholarship.
The Spirit of Alexandria hopes to start a similar program at other local schools in Michigan. The process of finding other schools of worthy students to award scholarships to is not an easy task, the foundation continues to work through ideas and ways to spread this opportunity.
TEACHING METHODS WITH NATURE AS AN ELEMENT
In 2008, Bill Marra (teacher at Charyl Stockwell Academy), attended a summer program at the Teacher Learning Center at Teton Science Schools. Their programs "combine components of environmental education with innovative leadership strategies and research-based aspects of educational reform". A program that best suits our mission and the local area of where the teacher educates will be chosen. The Teton Science Schools considers the introduction of nature into a teachers method of teaching a "multiplier effect", pass it down to the their students.
CROSS CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM in YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
The Cross Cultural Exchange Program in Yellowstone National Park was started in order to bring members from the original tribes that once lived on the lands now known as Yellowstone National Park into the park, to share their heritage with younger members of their tribe and explain to Park Rangers why certain aspects of the park have such a great importance to the tribes background. This program was initiated in 2005, transportation consisting of a couple of SUV's, with participants missing out on stories being shared in the other vehicles. To have a single vehicle, large enough, where everyone could be together throughout the trip was very special and welcomed.
At night the learning doesn't stop, the park Rangers work on projects with the children (and adults), designed to continue the experience of Yellowstone; allowing everyone to share their view of the park in creative ways. Yellowstone Rangers and park volunteers put on a dinner at the Arch Park to bid farewell. Introductions are made, experiences shared from the week and thank you's to all who have made the program possible.
2007 was the foundation's first year supporting this worthy program; members from the foundation traveled with Crow Tribe members throughout Yellowstone. In 2008, members from the Shoshone-Bannock tribe participated and learned about their heritage, traveling throughout the Yellowstone Eco-System. The foundation continued its support in 2009 with the members from the Eastern Shoshone Tribe.
Unfortunately, Yellowstone Park has discontinued this program. We are happy that we did have a chance to participate and hope that an opportunity with similar content will be available for us to be a part of in the near future.
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