YOU CAN TAKE THE LEEP TOO! We encourage other lake associations and communities to create their own LEEP for YOUTH programs and curriculum, using ours as a template. Download our L.E.E.P. for YOUTH booklet for more information.

LEEP Curriculum Synopsis

Since 2010, the Education Committee of the Eau Claire Lakes Area Property Owner Association, Barnes, Wisconsin, has developed and implemented a curriculum entitled the Lake Ecology Education Program for Youth (LEEP), originally called the Eco-Ed Program. The education program provides 22-28 seventh grade Middle School students with a knowledge and an attitude to prepare for becoming life-long lake stewards to protect and preserve the natural and healthy environment and the beauty of the lakes. The program involves 13 classroom lessons and one field trip, repeated in Spring and in Fall, but with different modules. For more detailed information about the curriculum, please visit the LEEP Education website. LEEP for Youth is conducted by a faculty consisting of community and lake association volunteer educators plus one Middle School science teacher and one English teacher. The Field Trip has a teacher to student ratio of 1.1-1.5 to 1. Pre- and post-tests document improved lake ecology knowledge. A written evaluation by students documents their attitude and their recommendations for curriculum improvement. The curriculum is designed to meet Wisconsin education standards. The following documents are available for download:

Educational Module

LEEP Curriculum Guide June 2013

Helpful Suggestions LEEP

Spring Indoor Lab Manual

Spring Outdoor Lab 2013

Spring Volunteer Instructor Handbook

Spring Evaluation

Spring Point Sheet – Revised 2014

Spring Student Evaluation Form – May 2013

Fall Pre and Post Student Assessment – September 2012

Fall Outdoor Lab – September 2012

Fall Indoor Lab – September 2012