Blog, Front Page News•
on October 13th, 2011•
If you ask teenagers to list their favorite pastimes, much of the list would probably include things somehow related to being plugged in to some type of wireless device. When do young people play, freely, outdoors, creating games from their imaginations? 
Drama classes on Fridays at Long Wharf Theater have CELCers pretending. Creating shapes within a space, making up a way to mold (non-existent) clay into a gift for another, keeping track of instructions that focus all of the senses, simultaneously. 
Bring on a refreshing and much appreciated opportunity to utilize the whole self and have a chance to take the risk to think way outside the box. Play. A fine concept and best done on a regular basis. Imagination engaged, yes – indeed.
Tuesday brought CELC students to the Florence Griswold Museum, where art is alive and well. The current outdoor exhibit, Of Feathers and Fairy Tales, is an elaborately and artistically read more
Blog, Front Page News•
on October 5th, 2011•
We shall never cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
- T.S. Eliot
The words of T.S. Eliot, recited by Mother Margaret Georgina, gave perspective as CELC students began their Tuesday at the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem, CT. A special place and part of our lives at CELC, The Abbey was introduced to our learning community years ago through none other than Rob and Sally (a.k.a. Rob and Sally Cole-Whiffen) who, curious about rare breed cattle, heard a story about this related to the Dutch Belted breed raised by the sisters at the Abbey!
Our students now visit as a community service project, tending to gardens, working in the sheep pastures, or whatever task might be needed. Always, we learn much as we work and experience this loving place.
Our work included harvesting kale, chard, cabbage, and carrots, and spending time in the blacksmith shop with Mother Anastasia. This shop still has the original structures from the read more
Blog, Events•
on September 29th, 2011•
Water is one of our most precious — and endangered — natural resources. The Regional Water Authority’s Whitney Water Center offers environmental education programs to show people, especially kids, how their actions can affect the quality of the region’s water resources. Using engaging hands-on activities and experiments, students learn how human actions on land affect the quality of the region’s water resources.
CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) will launch our Water Science Series in conjunction with the Whitney Water Center on Monday, 28 November. Peter Cleary, Communications Director with Vestergaard Frandsen, Incorporated – the company that created LifeStraw® – will visit CELC in Branford to speak with students and families about its work to save lives. Brett Leckey, a 10-year old who initiated his own project devoted to LifeStraw®, will also speak about his fundraising efforts to better peoples’ lives throughout the world.
All participants of the Water Science Classes please join us for this exciting presentation/lunch gathering that will begin our series. Bring a lunch and arrive for 11:30 a.m. to be followed by the presentations at noon. The first Water Science Class will then commence from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. See you all on Monday, 28 November starting at 11:30 a.m. at 28 School Street, Branford, CT. This special event is open to the public with a donation to LifeStraw®. read more
Blog•
on September 24th, 2011•
An invasive species to the Connecticut coastal area, Japanese Shore crabs inhabit the rocky shore habitat. 
Under the guidance of environmental educator Celia Lewis, CELC students collected crabs, sorted the males and females, and counted the number and variety of species. There were 53 males and 19 females, all of the same species, Japanese Shore crabs! None of the indigenous variety were present in this location. Environmental scientists continue to monitor this situation, as will the CELCers!
Blog, Events•
on September 16th, 2011•
As part of our Outdoor Education program, students work on an organic farm known as Trap Rock Ridge Camp (a.k.a. Rob and Sally’s). 
Here is a note from Rob regarding our first visit of the year :
Hi CELCers Young and Old,
Thank you for a wonderful visit to our place yesterday. You all worked like you had been here many times before. I’m always amazed at how much gets done in two hours.
I hope you enjoyed yourselves while you were here. Today I will start digging sweet taters. They do not like to sit around in cool soil. And, thanks to you, we can have a fire in our fireplace tonight.
Next time you come I hope to make baked potatoes on the grill as part of your lunch. Interested??
read more
Blog, News of the Week•
on September 16th, 2011•
A variety of workshops and classes are available throughout the year including: Outdoor Education at Meigs Point, drama classes at Long Wharf Theater, and water science with the Whitney Water Center. Read on for more information, class descriptions and pricing, or call 203-215-2317.
Introduction to Japanese for ages 10-14
Location: CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) at 28 School Street, 2nd floor – Suite G, Branford
Date/Time: Thursdays: Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17, and Dec. 1, 8, 15 from 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Price: Rate of $65.00 per class to be divided among participants (minimum of 6 students to run the program)
This 8-week introduction to Japanese language and culture taught by an experienced instructor will include some or all of the following:
Writing systems (Kanji, hiragana, katakana) & basic usage read more
Blog, Front Page News•
on September 16th, 2011•
Just a few days of our new year with a new group of students and we have already jumped right into the exciting life at CELC! CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) is back in session in Branford! read more
Blog, Front Page News•
on August 24th, 2011•
CELC has a new home at 28 School Street in Stony Creek! Painting walls, building shelves, moving into our new space – we are excited about the possibilities. Students will once again occupy the ‘Old School’ and we look forward to our learning adventures. In our new location, CELC will continue to provide an outstanding middle school education for students grades 5 – 8, as well as offer other special events and workshops.
As an educational resource center for topics relating to young adolescents, CELC plans to host informational sessions for parents, fun family and kid-friendly programming, and will extend the student travel component of our program. Stay tuned for news about our Open House to be scheduled for this fall.
CELC flyer
Middle school has always been a challenge for youngsters and parents. Today, the challenge seems even greater, with problems like texting, bullying, grown-up-too-soon social situations.
The Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) was founded to make the middle school years what they should be: a time and a place where youngsters discover that learning new things, tackling hard subjects, making good friends, feeling safe and free to grow is what education is all about. Connecticut Experiential Learning Center enables students to build confidence and competence, thrive, and be joyful during these years.
Led by educators who provide young people with experiences that allow them to stretch and explore their potential, this experiential education accommodates the whole person as an active part in learning. Students are thinking and questioning, wondering and being curious, and having experiences with others and in the world to test ideas in real situations.
Being a hard-working student is valued, as is being an individual. Learning becomes an adventure when the regular academics are integrated with many hands-on and minds-on field experiences. Students work very closely with their teachers, developing a rapport and an understanding of the individual and group.
It has become widely accepted that middle school-aged students are destined to suffer through their young adolescence – a sense that this time of life simply isn’t a happy one. It’s not necessarily so.
This is CELC:
A full academic program to prepare students for any high school and beyond
Field experiences that are actually educational explorations
A hands-on arts curriculum
Small classes, student/teacher teamwork, group participation and respect
CELC is a rewarding choice for students in grades 5 – 8 in the shoreline area. It could be the right fit for you and your family. Host an informational meeting in your area. Please contact us to find out more. Registering now for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Blog, Front Page News•
on June 17th, 2011•
Have a cannoli while learning about a Mexican “coyote”. 
CELC’s Immigration Extravaganza was a huge success! Students filled the James Blackstone Memorial Library’s auditorium with displays representing countries from around the world where large waves of immigration into the U.S.A. took place. 
Each student developed a persona to share the life story of this fictitious, yet historically accurate character, all based on months of research about particular countries of study.
read more
If you ask teenagers to list their favorite pastimes, much of the list would probably include things somehow related to being plugged in to some type of wireless device. When do young people play, freely, outdoors, creating games from their imaginations? 
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