Composting with Red Worms

This week we began studying decomposers, starting with the grinders. Small groups selected 20 red worms and placed them in a mini ecosystem jar they created on Tuesday. We made observations, took photos of the current materials in each jar, and will now observe changes from week to week.

Day 3 of Journeys Outdoor School

The final full day of camp was cooler than previous days, but again, it didn't get the kids down. After lining up for breakfast at 7:45, and signing our morning songs, we headed inside to eat breakfast. After filling our stomachs, students headed out into the forest. Today some hiked up to the quartz outcrop and really got to explore the crystalline structure of the quartz. Others did archery and challenge course. The majority spent some good time down at the pond doing pond ecology. It was a good day catching organisms, as many groups had buckets full. One group washed a small water snake slide across the stream. One group spent time learning how squirrels build shelters and then spend time collecting food, often from other squirrels. Each group had build a "squirrel" shelter and then had to try to steal nuts from other groups' shelters. The students really enjoyed this learning experience, as it was a game, but also learning at the same time. Lunch was delivered to the groups in the forest today. The afternoon continued the different various stations. During community time, over half of the students played Gaga-Ball, some played football, and others just relaxed. The sun was starting to break through the clouds a little. During dinner it rained again, but we were inside filling our bellies. During dinner many students helped teach a lesson on all the energy and steps required just to get the food from the land to our camp, from planting the seed, to harvesting it, to transporting it, to washing it, etc., etc. A big part of the meals is for students to learn to choose to not be wasteful. After dinner we had the night experience. Taking no flashlights, each group headed into the forest. I went with a group who walked across the meadow into the trees on the other side. The clouds had cleared and the stars were amazing! We even saw a satellite and the Milky Way. Each group's night experience was different than another group. Ours focused on diurnal, nocturnal, and crepuscular animals. Students imitated deer by putting their hands to their ears as the leader went out ahead and whispered, "Little deer, little deer, can you hear me?" It was impressive how far he got and the kids could still hear him. The fog was rolling in as we returned to campus. Another successful day of learning.

Day 2 of Journeys Outdoor School

Day two threw some weather at us, but it never got a single kid down. It did rain off and on all morning, but the afternoon was just partly cloudy. Once we got in our cabins for the night, the rain really came down, but we were cozy inside. Breakfast started at 7:45, but by then many kids had already played games of football or Gaga-Ball. They woke up ready for the day. After our pancakes, sausage, hash browns, juice, cereal, oatmeal, and fruit, we got into our trail groups for the day. Each group headed out into the forest in different directions. One highlight of the morning and afternoon was seeing the bucks. One group even witnessed two groups fighting with their antlers in a pre-rut display. The challenge course was the main activity for many groups, but others learned about macro and micro invertebrates during pond ecology. Another group learned about forest ecology, including fires natural role in a healthy forest while climbing up to Bald Point and overlooking the entire valley. Lunch included hamburgers back at the lodge. The afternoon continued the learning outside. During community time (free time) some play football, some basketball, but about 50 students played Gaga-Ball in the Gaga-ball pit. I won't be surprised if a group is there again before breakfast this morning. Dinner was a favorite with some really tasty pizza, breadsticks, chicken wings, and salad. This was our lowest day of ort (left over food that was put on plates to eat, but not eaten, as we weigh our waste after each meal and try to reduce it....a lesson during each part of the day). Of the entire 5th grade and chaperones we only had 4 pounds of wasted food! Not too bad. The students set a goal of 2.5 pounds of ort for this morning's breakfast. After dinner last night the night activity focused around animal adaptations, where students rotated to many hands-on activities pretending to be birds to experience how different tools help them get their food, based on the shape of their beak. Many kids tired by the time this was over at 8:15, as some had awoken and showered at 5:15. All kids were happy though and lights were out in most cabins at 9:00-9:15.

First Day of Journeys Outdoor School

What an amazing first day of camp. We arrived about 30 minutes late due to a bus picking us up late, but that was the only issue all day. Students quickly unloaded all the gear and then starting playing a tag game associated with animal characteristics within 10 minutes of arriving. They soon got into their trail groups and hit the forest. After eating lunch in the natural environment, students spent the rest of the afternoon exploring with their trail group. A few of the groups hiked up to Bald Peak, which offered a spectacular view and is a worthy goal to make it to the top. Others discovered the quartz outcrop on a mountain and spent time exploring all the neat rocks in the area. A few groups were able to do their archery station and not one child I talked to said they didn't have a blast there. Community time arrived around 5pm, after they got into their cabin groups and unpacked. Community time was shorter today, but many students loved learning the new game called Gaga-Ball. Dinner was, as I'm sure it will be all week, a favorite for most kids. It was family style dining with tacos being the theme. No one went away hungry. They had about 20 minutes after dinner to hang out in the cabin or outside with leaders before returning to the lodge where the night activity took place. Tonight was "Science Alive". Students focused on the scientific method as they rotated through about 10 stations, each taking about 5 minutes. Lots of neat things being learned here!