SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

After two years, Life Scout Erik Colleen’s vision of the Meadow Park Elementary School outdoor classroom is up and running. Erik is a member of Boy Scout Troop 5 in Port Charlotte, and he designed the garden area as his Eagle Scout project. Through the tireless efforts of Erik and many volunteers, the outdoor classroom was built in a grove of cypress trees and is home to various butterflies and an occasional hawk, giving students an opportunity to learn about the plants, insects and wildlife in the area. Here, Colton Stearns, principal Asena Mott, Lea Herbert and Raelynn Ruger check it out.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Life Scout Erik Colleen explains the plant life native to Florida to C.J. Eastman, Isaiah Wilson and Gino Stack.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Amanda Janvier, Trevor Antrin and John Buchholz at one of the outdoor classroom stations.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Savanna Pulliam, Edward Robedee and Reynaldo Gomez learn how plants reproduce in the outdoor environment.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Life Scout Erik Colleen has been involved with the outdoor classroom for a community service project to become an Eagle Scout. Included in the design are memorial stones leading to the seating area under a group of cypress trees.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Hayley Concepcion, Cole Choazak, Robert Cantz and Maddy Diaz listen as volunteer Jessi Bailey shows them leaves found in the park.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Mia Shinkarik, Kaylee Stecchi and Cody Miller find the outdoor classroom a great learning experience.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Savanna Pulliam, volunteer Amy Chorazak, and Reynaldo Gomez study in the outdoor classroom.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

A yellow butterfly sits on a branch — just one of the many insects, birds and plant life within the outdoor classroom.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Savanna Pulliam and Reynaldo Gomez examine purple petunias.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Jeremiah Jackson, Jacob Caruso and Sara Tirb examine moss growing on a rock.