Over $22,000 raised for Merced County student arts programs

More than $22,000 has been raised to support art programs for students in Merced County, as well as camp that provides environmental and educational experiences.

The Merced County Education Fund fundraiser, held on Oct. 18, hosted nearly 120 people including community members, leaders and supporters of education.

The Merced County Office of Education announced that the event raised more than $22,000, according to public relations officer Nathan Quevedo.

Thef unds will go toward expanding not only visual and performing arts opportunities for students, but also improvements to Camp Green Meadows. The camp, which is located in Fish Camp, California and set in the Sierra National Forest near Yosemite National Park is operated by the MCOE and serves more than 3,000 fifth and sixth grade students each year, providing environmental and experiential science education.

“The goal of the foundation is to support experiences outside of the classroom for Merced County students,” said Quevedo. “Camp Green Meadows is definitely one of the premier experiences. It’s served the students in not only Merced County, but Central California for more than 60 years now.”

Quevedo said that because Camp Green Meadows does not receive average daily attendance funding, the camp relies on the foundation’s fundraising as well as the MCOE general fund for upgrades, improvements and maintenance.

The MCEF will distribute the money raised as well as funds secured through various grants to benefit visual and performing arts eduction throughout the MCOE schools, according to Quevedo.

The outdoor school not only hosts week-long outdoor education programs during the school year, but it also rents the facilities to private groups over the summer. The outdoor programs allow students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience outdoors while learning a standards based curriculum.

The MCOE said the funds will also go toward the planned purchase of a planetarium as well as expanding the camp’s cafeteria and kitchen facilities. Quevedo said the planetarium will provide indoor learning opportunities during times of inclement weather as well as teaching students about astronomy and the different cultural perspectives on constellations.

“The idea that we can share with students that culturally throughout time, different cultures and civilizations have seen the stars differently is just really fascinating for those students,” said Quevedo.