This year, The Elephant Sanctuary participated in Lewis County Schools’ Adopt-a-Class program, a long-standing annual tradition that has connected The Sanctuary with local students. Last month, the Education Team welcomed 47 students from Lewis County Intermediate School, representing two 5th-grade classrooms, to The Elephant Discovery Center for an afternoon centered on elephants and learning.
During the visit, students explored exhibits and participated in hands-on activities led by Sanctuary educators. Students worked in groups to weave sections of recycled firehose together to create enrichment items for the elephants, and took part in an activity called “Build Your Own Sanctuary,” where groups selected an animal and designed a model habitat suited to that species’ needs. These experiences help students form meaningful connections to The Sanctuary’s resident elephants and support understanding of how specialized, lifelong care is provided. The afternoon concluded with a pizza party celebration for the students and teachers!
“The Adopt-a-Class program has been an important way for us to stay connected with our community’s students,” said Education Coordinator Katie Anest. “For almost three decades The Sanctuary has supported two classrooms each year through Lewis County Schools’ Adopt-a-Class program, ranging from pre-K to 5th grade. Inviting students to The Elephant Discovery Center allows them to engage directly with our Education Team and, at times, with members of our Care Staff. We hope students leave their special field trip feeling even more connected to the elephants that also call Hohenwald home."
The Education Team looks forward to continuing this annual collaboration and welcoming future Adopt-a-Class students in the year ahead.