The Oasis Program is a alternative, environmental education, eighth
grade school for intelligent students not producing successful
academic results. The program is a partnership between USF SP and
Pinellas County Schools. Oasis students have one year to get it
together academically, socially, and behaviorally. The Oasis Program
motivates students and their parents through outdoor, experiential
education and challenges.

As I write this the students, teacher, counselor, guides, and
volunteers are paddling down the Withlacoochee River for five days.
Daily the group paddles, puts up their tents and takes them down,
cooks, cleans up, write in journals, and studies the environment. This
is character building, especially since this is a new experience for
each student. We spend the entire year studying about water and the
environment.

In the Spring the entire staff will venture down to Key Largo to study
marine life. This trip costs $12,000. Oasis students, parents and
staff are planning a February 28th, 2004 Paddle-A-Thon. We need your
help. Please contact Debbie McFarlane at 727-553-3135 or
if you are able to assist either by volunteering or
financially supporting a student or donating an item for the event.