LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — The Lake Noxen Elementary outdoor classroom expanded past the school grounds Wednesday.
"We're just playing the beach today at Harveys Lake," said Averi Sassaman, Noxen.
For one of several outdoor learning activities as part of the school's annual 'Grow with the Flow Day.'
"This was an archaeology dig, you know, understanding our past and how everything affects different things and over time soil and which will be followed through in the classroom or was already done in the classroom some of the work too," said Maureen Devine, 1st grade teacher.
"When we're digging, you have to use your hands. I had to use my hands because it's better, so That's why my hands are so dirty and, when I find stuff, I don't want to break in. So I'll use my hands," said Javied Blessing-Akhter, Harveys Lake.
"The beach is pretty fun than the classroom. I love the beach," said Belle Emerick, 1st grade.
Whether it's at Sandy Beach outside in the schoolyard or along the creek that runs behind the school, teachers and students agree that there are many benefits to learning outdoors.
"Because being outside, you can like actually play outside instead of having to sit around all day," said Joey Wudarski, Dallas.
"What better way to learn is hands-on learning? They're going to remember they'll remember this day, and when hearing from the same person all day long sometimes can be, as we know, we doze off sometimes. But I hear they hear from different people, experts in the field who know more than we do even," said Devine.