Backing up a few hours, hungry campers enjoyed rice, chicken stir-fry, and salad for dinner. After a little teasing, Cricket and crew brought out ice cream sandwiches for the dessert. Yum!
Following the regular dinner cleanup (Did I mention that your kids serve dinner, clear dishes, wipe tables, stack dishes, compost food, and sweep floors?), we took time to get organized ahead of the much anticipated night hike!
I joined Moose's group which started with a bit of music and then some instruction on how to move silently and safely through the woods at night. We practiced before heading off and it really worked. Creeping along "ant style" (single file) the groups used a series of audible, but quiet signals to identify hazards along the path and keep everyone together - smooth as clockwork.
We made our way to a small clearing and gathered around to learn how the rods and cones work in our eyes. We conducted an experiment with our night vision while listening to a legend about the constellation Pleiades. It was so relaxing to be gathered in the forest, listening to the sounds of nature all around without the drone of busy roads or the roar of airplanes overhead. Okay, to be honest, one place did pass overhead.
I joined Mrs. O'Loughlin for bedtime patrol at the Treetop cabins tonight With visions of redwood trees in their heads, students are fast asleep. Teachers are not far behind. Good night, Almaden.
Camp sounds amazing! Your blog makes it come alive for all of us back home. :) Thanks for writing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Mrs.A. Much appreciated. We are lucky to have such wonderful kids being nurtured by nature, terrific teachers, and of course the YMCA staff and volunteers.
ReplyDeleteI hope the tidbits of information will give parents lots of opportunity for discussion about students' experiences and keep the week alive and in their minds for many years to come. It really is such a tremendous week for each of them.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about staff led to be to write a bit more about the layers...See the next post.