Friday, October 7, 2011

There were some great skits last night and some hidden talent came out from the students. The kids really enjoyed themselves. Mrs. Hennessey was kind enough to iron on 34 Nature's Classroom logos for the kids.  They all signed each others shirts as a nice remembrance of their time here.  I finally had to tell the boys to go to sleep at 11:30. I have never had a class like this. Normally, they are asleep by ten on the last night.

After a combination wake up tune of Judas Priest and Metallica the kids were up and packing. You would not believe the amount of single socks and underwear left behind. Good thing you bought them new. :) Admittedly, watching them carry all of their luggage to where the buses will pick them up is my favorite part. The pictures tell it all.

The kids had to go back and clean the cabins. After that they will fill out evaluations and participate in their last field group. The buses will be here at 12 and then it is homeward bound.

Please ask your child what the week was like and what they liked about it. I'm sure they will have many positive things to tell you. Thanks for letting us take your children on an adventure they will always remember. 

Don't forget to check out the almost 500 pictures we have at: https://picasaweb.google.com/102858422363285244565/NatureSClassroom2011 

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Photos of the days so far:https://picasaweb.google.com/102858422363285244565/NatureSClassroom2011
Keep on checking back because it seems like I am adding pictures hourly. 

This morning started out with a classical tune from Ramstein that was loaded with screaming guitars and drums to entice the boys from their slumber. Sleep deprivation is really starting to catch up with them. After a nice breakfast of eggs, sausage, and english muffins the kids went into their field groups and played in various activities. After an hour transition time it was off to lunch which consisted of hamburgers and tater tots. Needless to say the salad bar, once again, was big hit.

Mrs. Graul and Mrs. Mihos came up last night to participate in the Underground Railroad and stayed through lunch today. They are thoroughly impressed with how well behaved the kids are and how much fun they are having.

After a class the kids played a huge game of tag called Predator and Prey. You should have seen how tired they were after running around for two hours. I hoping for an even earlier bedtime.

Tonight they have TNL which is a rendition of Saturday Night Live except done Nature's Classroom style. Each group comes up with a skit that they will perform in front of everyone. The kids do a really good job. After singing a few songs it is back to the cabin for a blissful slumber.

With only half a day tomorrow we already had the kids pack up most of their belongings. Don't be surprised if you end up with missing socks and undergarments. Of course their clothes are going to be filthy. I do not envy the parents when they open the bags and discover what's inside.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The boys were up early this morning. Maybe it is because I made them shut out the lights earlier. However they did chat for a while and did not go sleep until a little after 11. Luckily, though there were a few who I could wake up with the soothing sounds of Motley Crue.

After a breakfast of french toast and bacon the kids had transition time and then prepared for their four hour hike. When they got back they were tired, wet, and hungry. Thankfully, Mrs. Hennessey got them pizza. They gobbled it down.

The boys are consistently trying to scare or spy on the girls but are failing miserably at it. They have trouble hiding behind a tree. It is quite funny to watch. The girls are not taking lying down and chasing the boys as soon as they close to the cabin. It is amazing how tough the boys aren't when they are being chased by the girls.

They had a spontaneous dance party on the girls porch. A few of them were showing off some of their dance moves as well as how well they can Conga. The boys and girls were dancing like it was the last time they were ever going to get the opportunity to dance.

While at class the boys cabin was Bieberfied. Posters of boy wonder, Justin Beiber, were plastered everywhere. The boys were horrified when they came back. They vowed revenge. How, I don't know. :)

We are glad to hear that our students at Aborn had a great time in Lynn Woods.

Tonight is the Underground Railroad. I will give you more information on that tomorrow. Also, we would all like to wish Mr. & Mrs. Hennessey a happy 15^th anniversary today.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Wake up for the boys.

Today started off with a little heavy metal ditty by Godsmack for the boys. It was sweet revenge for keeping me up until 12:45. I have a feeling that they may want to be asleep a little bit earlier tonight. However, their energy level today has been extremely high. Mrs. Hennessey does tell me that a few of the girls stayed up late chatting and then got up before the adults. Trust me your child will be very tired when they get home.

We have set up a showering schedule so the kids will at least smell better than the cabins do. Dirty clothes are everywhere. For some reason the boys think it's a pillow fight free for all every time we go back to the cabin. The girls have had a pillow fights but I think not as rough as the boys.

After a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausages the kids went into their field groups and came back pretty wet. Luckily, we did not have the rain that you had at home. As a matter of fact as of right now it has barely rained.

The girls have been beautifying themselves with mani/pedis. At least that is what the female adult chaperones are telling me. They have also been dancing quite a bit and doing girly things.

Some of the kids went on a deer survival hike, published the NC News, Floated Yo Boat, built a rope bridge, and dropped eggs wrapped up in napkins to see how high they could go before they broke. During transition time Mrs. Hennessey and I played basketball against a couple of the students. We both needed oxygen and lots of water after that. The kids are having soooo much fun.

Tonight was taco night. The kids seemed to like it. They are going on a night experience hike in which they go for a walk with no flashlights and discover various ways light can be created. Then it back to the dining hall for quiet sing. After that we will all go back to the cabins and the kids will be going to the bed at a decent time.  Good night.

 

Monday, October 3, 2011

It looks like we got out of Dodge just in time before the skies opened up. The ride up was relaxing and no one was crying. The kids watched the movie The Last Starfighter. We got up here around 11:15. The students met all the counselors and then enjoyed a lunch of grilled cheese and tater tots. For those parents who believe their children do not like salad, they are lying to you. The salad bar is very popular up here. Even the parents love the food.

The kids were paired up their counselors and are mixed in with other students from Sisson and Lincoln-Thompson. They are already making friends. They also had their first class which included building geodomes, frog dissection, camouflage stalker(how to hide in the woods), and making slingshots. The week will be filled with a ton of different classes.  Of course my favorite activity is watching the kids carry their luggage to the cabins.  I think some of the parents packed expecting their kids to be gone for a month. Some of that luggage was heavy.

During their down time they have been playing basketball, tether ball, soccer, and other various activities. There is no shortage of fun up here.

For dinner we had chicken, corn, and red potatoes. The kids devoured it. However, once again the salad bar was all the rage. Of course they loved the brownies for dessert. After dinner they had a science fair in the dining hall. All the kids participated in the experiments and had a blast.

The boys have already had a monstrous pillow fight. They were wild, but I watched to make sure it didn't get out of hand. Mrs. Hennessey's cabin looks like a big Christmas tree. Lights are strewn all over the walls. She also says that the girls are awesome and very neat. I wish I could say the same about the boys' neatness.

Day one is down and so far no one has asked for their parents. I did say that they would forget all about you. As we look forward to tomorrow we have no clue what time these kids will actually get to sleep. I can't wait for wake up time at 7.