Camp Harbor
In Fall 2021, Harbor Springs Public Schools contracted TOPOnexus to reinvent the proposed HSPS 2022 summer camp program by contributing the custom design and delivery of curriculum in alignment with its mission to connect people to place. TOPOnexus leveraged its pre-existing connections with local leaders all over Little Traverse Bay to level up local literacy and build outdoor and community-based skills for each camper.
The collaboration yielded positive, enriching opportunities for Learning in the Field that were place-based and wonder-based.
TOPO Explorers: City of Harbor Springs
TOPOnexus and the City of Harbor Springs renewed their collaboration to offer TOPO Explorers at six parks during July and August 2022.
The project resulted in 66 individual park experiences, a 17% increase from 2021. TOPO Explorers raised awareness of lesser used City parks and shared the mission of TOPOnexus – connecting people to place.
Story Adventures with the Petoskey District Library
Following a successful 2021 season of Story Adventures, TOPOnexus and the Petoskey District Library renewed their collaboration to offer a spring session in May and June 2022.
Backyard Adventures with Harbor Springs Middle School
By responding to a need and desire for Fall “learning in the field” experiences for the entire middle school, the collaboration yielded a positive outdoor learning experience for students. New understanding and connections were made between students and their community due to the TOPOnexus way of learning.
Paddling to the Past Workshop
On September 29, students paddled a small part of the Odawa route to DC, allowing them insight into the risks taken by the delegates in 1835 when they paddled from city beach to negotiate a treaty that they hoped would allow them to stay in their homelands. On November 9, students gathered at the shoreline of Lake Michigan (on Harbor Point) where they were asked to reflect on the meaning of home–their own and that of the Odawas almost two hundred years prior. This learning opportunity gave students a tangible link to the regional and national impacts of a historical event that took place in their own backyard.
Professional Learning Day Roadtrip with Harbor Springs Public Schools
Collaborated with the Superintendent of Harbor Springs Schools to design and deliver a Professional Learning Day for the HSPS staff focusing on Seeing Possibilities, Creating Connections, Discovering New Directions.
BEST Roadtrip • National Park Service
Katherine Wonson, Director of the Western Center for Historic Preservation (WCHP), established a goal to level up the delivery of internal courses offered by a nationwide network of instructors (BEST–what does this stand for?) from the National Parks Service. Under Katherine’s leadership, the WCHP elected to bring experiential learning to an initial cohort of 14 historic preservation instructors. In response, TOPOnexus–Center for Learn Local designed and facilitated the BEST Road Trip, an innovative nine-month training.
Story Adventures with the Petoskey District Library
TOPOnexus and the Petoskey District Library partnered to offer a spring and summer session of Story Adventures from May to August 2021. The project resulted in 158 individual library experiences.
By responding to a need for PreK programming, the collaboration yielded a positive outdoor learning experience, a deeper connection to the library, and exposure to the TOPOnexus way of learning.
TOPO Connect Workshop - SMU Ladies Group
TOPOnexus was contracted to create a 2.5 hour Adventure Workshop for 11 adult participants who were visiting Harbor Springs from various cities around the country (Texas, Kentucky, Illinois), and wanted to learn and experience more about the city. These 11 participants had been visiting Harbor Springs together for the past 10 years, and were seeking a fun, group half-day that would enhance their connection with Harbor Springs.
By collaborating with the ‘lead organizer’ of the group, TOPOnexus was able to provide a positive experience and in-depth connection to place for the participants.
TOPO Explorers: PreK in the Parks Workshop
TOPOnexus and the City of Harbor Springs collaborated to offer a pilot of TOPO Explorers at four parks during July and August 2021. The project resulted in 56 individual park experiences while raising awareness of lesser-used City parks and sharing the mission of TOPOnexus – connecting people to place.
By responding to a need for PreK programming, the collaboration yielded a positive outdoor learning experience, a deeper connection to the parks, and exposure to the TOPOnexus way of learning for 15 families, including 18 kids and 17 adults.