TOWAMEINCIN – Most students have heard about the plans to renovate various pods in North Penn, but the Enact club is planning construction of its own. Mr. John Collier and the Enact club have been planning the creation of an outdoor classroom ever since the news of an invasive species of pear tree at the North Penn Nature Center.
“We’ve been doing a lot of stuff with the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, and we had some of their experts come out…they pointed out, ‘these are all this invasive pear tree’… that got us thinking about what we can do,” Collier explained.
The outdoor classroom will allow space for various environmental classes at North Penn, the Enact club, or even a relaxing hang-out spot for students.
“We started talking to the administration and they were generally supportive about it, so now we are in the beginning phases of making a plan,” Collier said.
The only obstacles standing in the way of this outdoor space are the removal of the plants and funding.
“We need to find some community support to remove dozens of trees… we probably also need some community or school district funding to pay for the outdoor classroom.” Collier noted, regarding the future plans for the space.
“The hopes and dreams are that eventually, it is a nice little outdoor classroom that people can take their classes right here on campus, or even students could sit there and relax outside in nature,” Collier said.
The Enact club has even more on their bucket list this year, as a “thrift shop” will be available to all students in need.
The thrift shop will be next week at Cookie Corner during lunches, observed and run by student volunteers. If you are interested in being a student volunteer, speak to Mr. Collier in room C117 – you do not have to be in Enact club or Sharing Excess Club to participate.
Are you interested in helping out your community and environment? Enact club has been running since Earth Day 1970, and is always accepting new members.
“The Enact club is the high school environmental club and it focuses on everything sustainability within North Penn High School. We have lots and lots of members throughout the school body,” Collier explained.
One of those members is the Co-President of the Enact club, Sarah Cavanaugh.
“I’ve always liked gardening and environmental stuff…I like to do things that are pretty impactful,” Cavanaugh recalled.
Cavanaugh has been a member of the Enact club since 9th grade and has nothing but positive things to say about it and its members.
“All these activities are just to show how much we care, and how much we want other people to care about the environment.” Cavanaugh passionately explained.
If you are interested in joining Enact, sign up on Five Star or attend the next meeting (an outdoor scavenger hunt). The first meeting of the year will be on Tuesday, September 24 in room C117.