a long week and a variety of teaching experiences

Laura asked me and Amy, after our cider making with 16 dementia sufferers, how this fits in environmental education (or something like that). Amy and I had a variety of responses, and I've thought about this since yesterday.
How much overlap is there between environmental education and environmental experience? How much education is possible with individuals with varying defecits? What is the difference between training and education? What were the metrics for environmental education? Lots of questions -- most without a clear answer.
I loved being part of this little customized Farmcraft. I was proud to be part of Merry Lea's team, thrilled to be healthy and strong (and young), aware of contribution all around the room, and certain that what we did for a few hours made a real difference. In an earlier blog, someone (me?) wrote about creating memories through the unique experience of Farmcraft. With our Wednesday cider crowd, the memory-creation machine is working in a different way. The children at Farmcraft are learning today about yesterday, and tomorrow will likely have fond and cool memories of what they saw and did. Our Wednesday folks minds are doing something different. Our cider making, and Amy's songs, definitely revived memories for some in the room. It was moving, and fulfilling. And they may not remember any of it today. My mom would say that for her it was like having the Lotto ping pong balls in your head, and they didn't line up and make sense anymore.
I was educated Wednesday. I learned new ways to connect with a diverse population. I saw the dedication, challenges and value of the attendants caring for our group. The attendants were educated, too, and some were obviously delighted, with the cider experience. Many participants learned (or re-learned) how to work the mill, and that the cider POURED from the mill when Arvenus worked the press. I hoped that they learned that many of us were very happy to be making memories with them on Wednesday.
I'm left thinking about how we care for individuals who can't take care of themselves. Are there lessons in nature for this?