A Greater Sense of Place lives up to its name

This year, Catskill Middle School continued a tradition spanning more than four decades. The Greater Sense of Place (GSOP) program began at the Catskill Middle School in the 1980s. It was created by former Catskill teachers Barry Hopkins, Wayne Fisher, and Carl Carrozza, with the goal of engaging students in cultural, artistic, and outdoor activities right which although in close proximity to students, were not generally visited by them.

Part of the aim of the program is to introduce the gems and possibilities surrounding the twin counties to middle schoolers. Although they reside near places like Olana, North Lake, the Thomas Cole House, plus much more, most never visit or even become aware of these iconic locations. It’s akin to living in New York City your whole life but never visited the Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty.  

The program was said to have been inspired by the Hudson River School of Art founders, Thomas Cole and his student Frederik Church, who spent significant time in our area immersed in the natural surroundings of the Catskills and Hudson Valley. Current coordinator and Catskill Middle School social studies teacher, Dave Taylor, has been responsible for GSOP since 2018. He is also the inaugural coordinator of the Catskill Middle School Fishing Program. Mr. Taylor has remained true to GSOP’s unique goal of connecting kids to local cultural, outdoor, and physical activities.

Each year on GSOP day, the entire Middle School goes on a field trip of their choosing.  They explore major points of interest like the Thomas Cole House, Olana Historic Site to learn of their historic and artistic contribution, and places like North Lake where they fish, hike, mountain bike, and view Kaaterskill Falls. Others go to locations like the Albany Indoor Rock Gym, Samascott Orchards/Corn maze, kayaking on the Catskill Creek, or skating at the Kiwanis Ice Rink.

New this year, the grades were mixed, allowing more kids to meaningfully participate. Full disclosure, I and a colleague from the Dick’s House of Sports Outdoor Education Program, joined local Environmental Conservation Officer Darren Milliron to help kids fish at South Lake. The fish cooperated a little with only two black bass and one pickerel caught. However, that did not diminish the fun. The students, led by school counselor Katie Daly, hiked a bit to get to our location, but had ample time casting, retrieving and just enjoying a relaxed day lakeside surrounded by the vibrant foliage.

While the kayakers on the Catskill Creek, plus the three busloads of middle schoolers at North Lake, got off their screens and outdoors getting exercise, hiking, biking, kayaking and fishing, others focused on local culture and history. Workshops at Olana and the Thomas Cole historic sites included instruction in art and ceramics. Experiences such as ice skating, rock climbing, and exploring a corn maze, added to the activities students might not otherwise have had the opportunity to participate in.

All of the activities can create lasting impressions showing the students what is possible to experience with just a little curiosity, effort, and initiative. The goal is to broaden their view of what is possible to experience right near home. Maybe they will be inspired to continue to explore these and other cultural and outdoor activities, and pass on the wonder of  “A Greater Sense of Place.”

Happy hunting, fishing, and trapping until next time!

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A resident of Durham, Larry is a retired captain with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.