Friday, October 5, 2012

Friends were made.

Well, another week at Nature's Classroom goes down in the history books. It was a great week. The kids have made a lifetime of memories up here as well as new friends. The pictures don't tell the whole story. Make sure you ask your child(ren) what they did this week and if they say nothing they are lying. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience for them. Most of them have never been camping in this type of setting where they are responsible for their own belongings. Speaking of which, you may notice that their suitcases may be a little lighter because there were clothes all over the cabins that none of them wanted to lay claim to. To start the day they were up extra early to get all their things together and bring it to the rec hall. They are so tired by now they just drag their bags. It is quite a scene. Then they had a breakfast of waffles and bacon. After they headed back to the cabins to clean it thoroughly with an NC staff member. What a mess. Next, they filled out evaluations about their week here and then off to feild group for the last time to have a little fun. We will eat lunch early and be on the road by 12:30 (hopefully). Thank you so much for letting your child be a part of this trip. It something that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Mrs. Hennessey and I still talk about the time we went to NC when we were in sixth grade. I hope you enjoyed this blog as much I enjoyed writing it. Signing off from Freedom, NH. BYE!!!

PS: Check out the pictures at: Nature's Classroom - 2012

Aborn

Sisson

Lincoln-Thompson

Thursday, October 4, 2012

 I was able to get a good video of the boys waking up to the harmonious sounds of System of a Down.  This is truly my favorite part of the day.  I hope you enjoy the video.
It is a good thing they keep on serving meals that the kids like because our ORT keeps going down, which is a good thing.  The french toast was out of this world.  The kids are in their field groups now dissecting animals and learning about forest fires and other lessons related to nature. 

Learning to juggle.

It is pouring right now and the kids are out playing Predator vs. Prey.  It is a game in which they learn about the life cycle.  Some students are hawks, others are snakes, and yet others are insects and producers.  It is the largest game of tag they will ever play.
Tonight they will be showing off their acting skills with Thursday Night Live.  Think of it Saturday Night Live but toned down for kids.  Some of the skits are pretty funny.  We will have pictures and videos I'm sure.

Shark dissection. Yummy!!

It is funny how the children's demeanor changes as the week goes on.  They are getting very tired, but the NC staff keep them going.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

I was able to wake the boys this morning to the sweet, melodic tunes of Anthrax. there is nothing like a good dose of heavy metal to get them going in the morning. The weather looks like it may be a little damp and cloudy for their 4 hour hike today. However, they do go on it rain or shine. They will be learning about nature and looking at animal tracks and the scat they leave behind. They will also be practicing thier skits for Thursday Night Live tomorrow night.

Well, the weather is being less than cooperative. It has been raining all day. However, it is not deterring the kids. After a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and bagels they picked the class they wanted to participate in. Some of today's choices were water rockets, building a bridge, identifying types of trees, and turtle dissection. After the classes were over the boys decided to stay outside and play dodgeball. They quickly realized how wet they were and came back to the cabin to dry off.

The kids packed their lunches in the dining hall and headed out for their four hike. Many of the groups went across the street to high spot and were able to see a lake that was once home to many beavers. They also saw the places where the town of Freedom had controlled burns to thin the forest. When they came back Mrs. Hennessey and I got hot chocolate for them. They were very appreciative.

Tonight after dinner, pasta and meatballs, the students will experience the Underground Railroad. They have many misconceptions about this activity. During this learning activity the students are "slaves" on a slave ship. They are then sold to an owner who shows them how to pick cotton. All the chaperones are conductors on the Underground Railroad. when the students come out in groups two chaperones take the group and tell them they are bringing them to freedom in Canada (the dining hall). Along the way there are facts about the Underground Railroad the conductors read to the kids. Also, there are bounty hunters, the Nature's Classroom staff, looking for the runaway slaves. The chaperones need to come up with a story so the bounty hunters won't look in the back of "wagon". Many of the staff are using the today's reality shows for their story lines. We do try to make it entertaining as well as a learning experience. This is the one activity that the students remember for a long time.

More tomorrow!

I will be posting all of the pictures very soon on separate website.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

What a view!!

Well, my plan to wake the boys up with my usual method of heavy metal went out the window. They woke up at 6:00. Why? I don't know. Anyways it is a beautiful day here in Freedom, NH. It is in the upper 60's with plenty of sunshine. Breakfast this morning was delish. We had pancakes and sausages. For the kids who didn't want that there is a cereal bar in which they could choose from three different types. After breakfast they went into their field groups for a couple hours and participated in various games and activities.

After a lunch of pizza, salad, and delicious potato & bacon soup the kids had to choose what class they wanted to participate in later on in the day. They were able to choose from learning about genetic engineering, endangered animals, working for the Nature's Classroom police, or feeding their face with natural skin remedies. Once outside for free time many played in a massive game of dodge ball while others played tether ball and soccer.

The ORT Report, baby! Look it's a moose!!

For their first class they were able to choose from deer survival, grossology, mega structures, geodome 1, or building roller coasters. All of the classes the kids take do have science behind them that the instructors talk about before they begin the hands on activities. This is the type of schooling that they would not get in a regular classroom.

Taco Tuesday was a big hit with the kids and adults. Very tasty. For tonight's activity the kids will be walking in the woods on a night hike. They will learning about the stars and how to navigate using them. Also they will discovering how use their senses in a dark situation such as this.

Now I know that all of you are wondering if your child is keeping up with their hygiene. Yes they are. Mrs. Hennessey and I have them take showers and brush their teeth. We split the showers between morning and night. There is nothing worse than a smelly cabin. If only they could keep their clothes together, that would be a miracle.

Monday, October 1, 2012

We arrived around 11:15 this morning. The ride was uneventful. The kids watched the movie "How to Eat Fried Worms" and were very quiet. After taking all the luggage off the bus the kids met their field group leaders and then had lunch. Lunch consisted of grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, and the salad bar. I would say the salad bar is the biggest hit in the dining hall. It is amazing to see how many kids like it. Their is also fruit for them to eat.

Once lunch was over the kids got their bags and brought them to their cabins. This is truly one of my favorite events. They essentially have to carry their bags the length of a football field to the cabins. I feel bad, kind of, for the students who have a cabin that is far from the rec hall. Some of their bags must weigh 80 pounds. Then, after squaring away their bedding and bags they went into their field groups. This is were they get meet the other kids and play games. It is basically a get to know you session. After field groups they had transition time. Now they get to play basketball, soccer, kickball, tennis etc... for an hour. Oh yea, and tether ball.

After transition time the kids went to their classes. Some of the classes they were able to choose from were frog dissection, slingshots, camouflage, salamander gander, and reflections of nature. I think the dissections will be the popular classes this week. Next, came the fire drill and dinner. Tonight they served baked chicken, rice, and vegetable medley of summer squash, zucchini, and carrots. I am proud to say some of the students tried the veggies and liked them. The night ended with a science fair in which the staff demonstrated the properties of fire, how their vision is affected when looking through the wrong end of a pair of binoculars, chemical reactions of household products, and how heat rises. All the experiments were done in a safe environment. The last thing of the night was quiet sing where the kids sing songs with the staff.. Tonight's selections consisted of classics such as Don't Stop Believing and Yellow Submarine. They also learned a couple Nature's Classroom songs Woody and We Come from the Mountain.

Your children are having an incredible time and one even said she didn't want to go home on Friday. The Nature's Classroom staff is keeping them extremely busy.

Have a great night!