Day 4 2017

Another spectacular day here in our little slice of heaven known as New Hampshire.  The kids are all talking about how they don't want to go home.  This happens every year.  But it is a testament to how much fun the kids are having up here.  Today started of with the usual metal wake up for the boys. LOL!!!   For breakfast we had eggs, homefries, sausages, and fruit.  The kids kept on calling the homefries, tater tots.

Predator vs. Prey

The big morning activity was Predator vs. Prey.  This is deemed the largest game of tag in the state of NH.  The kids are broken up into groups of bugs, birds, frogs, and carnivores.   Each group had to stay away from the ones that would eat them in the wild.  If they were "eaten" they had to join the group that tagged them.  The kids were exhausted after 2 hours of this game

Gaga Ball Pit

They had the usual field groups and classes which included more dissections, ice wars, seed racers, it's the law, and learning how to write a script.  I think transition time is the best time for the kids.  Gaga Ball is a big hit up here.  Don't be surprised if your child asks for a Gaga Pit to put in the backyard.  You will be the hit of the neighborhood.

Don't forget to ask you children about all the things they did because I couldn't possibly fit it all into this blog.



Tonight is Thursday Night Live.  It is just like Saturday Night Live but scaled down to a kid version.  During the day the kids practice their skits and then perform them after dinner. It is quite a funny time.
Off to be entertained...... Bye!!
FYI, once we get back and I collect the pictures from the chaperones I will post them to an online photo site and send home the link so you can see all the pictures.

The Crew on the shores of Lake Ossipee

Day 5

Today is it, the last day at Nature's Classroom 2017. It's about a 50/50 split on kids that want to go home and those who want to stay.  The children were up extra early today so they could get all their stuff together. Surprisingly all the kids, boys and girls, got all their belongings to the rec hall by 7:30.

For breakfast this morning we had French toast sticks and bacon.  The kids devoured it.  We had 2 pounds of ORT.  After breakfast the kids headed back to the cabins to clean up.  I must say that there were not as many unclaimed clothes as I thought there would be.

They had there last field group today. However, it is raining and some stayed inside participating in various activities others were out in the rain.   Overall, the kids had a blast.  Make sure to ask them about the week and what they did. If they say "nothing" they are lying to you.

Until Next Year!!!

Day 3 2017

I think this was the hottest day we ever had here at Nature's Classroom.  However, it started out a little late for the boys because I overslept. Luckily, we still made it to breakfast.  The girls were woken out of a sound sleep by Mrs. Hennessey and her cowbell, yes cowbell.  I wish I could've seen that.

After a delightful breakfast of french toast and bacon, see I told you they have awesome food up here, the kids had a transition time for 45 minutes.  The boys used that time to take the showers they were supposed to take earlier in the morning. LOL!!  Then went to their first class of the day.  Some went to the rat dissection, roller coasters, creating books, stalking, which is about learning about camouflage, and bug hunt.  These classes are giving the kids an experience that no classroom environment could ever provide for them.
Today was the long 4 hour hike.  The kids packed their lunches and set out with their field group leaders.  During the hike they go on the trails around the Nature's Classroom campus.  Many of the groups will have a campfire and s'mores.  The kids love to tell about the old airstrip they found. They also found a lot of quartz rock, which they took for souvenirs.  Needless to say most of them complained about how tired their feet were yet played basketball during transition time with no problem. :)
Tonight was back to basic night.  The kids learned about how things were a long, long time ago.  They learned how to make butter, then they ate it, play a game that came from Norway, threw a javelin, mother nature monopoly game, and knit.  They seemed to really enjoy learning about the past activities.

Now I am going to turn the keyboard over to our guest author Alexa to tell you about some of the things that she has enjoyed up here at Nature's Classroom. This is Alexa and some things I learned at Natures Classroom is tonight I made butter and me and my friend played basketball. Also me and my friends love the bunk bed it was amazing. We also played soccer. We get a lot of transition  time.  I love it!! We also did much more for three days.  This morning we got to eat breakfast and we played much more.
Good Night!!

Day 2 2017

What a spectacular day.  The sun was shining all day and sparkling on Lake Ossipee.

Jealous?

However, the day started out with a lot of heavy metal to wake the boys. Boy, were they shocked when it came on.  They practically jumped out of their skin.  Unfortunately, Mrs. Hennessey didn't have such luck because the girls were early risers.   After an awesome breakfast of pancakes, sausage, cereal, and fruit the kids went off in their field groups.
During field groups they go with the counselors and participate in various activities the counselors come up.  The kids really seem to enjoy this time.  The activities may be a walk in the woods, learning about nature, building a rope bridge or learn how to track animals.  As for the classes today the pig dissection was a big hit. A few of the others were the WWF in which the students learned about the animal adaptations, Survivor, how to survive in the wilderness, and Smashing Rock where the students study the minerals that make up the rocks.
For lunch the kids had pasta with alfredo sauce and chicken, as well as garlic bread.  Once they were done eating they got have transition time and play sports or just hang out.  After that they went to one of the classes they signed up for earlier in the day.

As the night began after Taco Tuesday the kids went on the Night Experience.  This is where they go out and participate in various night time activities with no lights.  Only the group leader has one.  Some the things they do are using wintergreen lifesavers to create sparks in their mouth's, smash quartz rocks to create sparks, the pirate activity of covering your eye just like a pirate to see better in the night.

The Ort Report

We are hoping that it will not be a late night like it was last night due to all the newness of Nature's Classroom for them.  But be rest assured they will be up at 7 am with a nice little ditty of screaming guitars and booming drums.  Good Night!!!

Day 1 2017

Well, we arrived same and sound after a great bus ride, which flew by.  The kids watched Night at the Museum and talked.  When we arrived the kids, yes the kids, unloaded their bags off the bus and into the rec hall.  Then they all got together in the field to get to know each other and the counselors.
Around 12 we went to the dining hall to have the traditional first day lunch of grilled cheese, fries, and tomato soup.  Oh, and the salad bar is a hit with the kids.  After lunch the kids brought/dragged their luggage to the cabins.  This has to be one the best visuals of the week other than watching them drag their bags on Friday morning.

They got into their field groups, Aborn, Callahan, and Lincoln-Thomson are mixed together, and went and did a fun activity.  In field group they may go hiking, do an experiment, or some other activity.  The kids then signed for which class they wanted to participate in.  Some of the choices were Egg Drop, Shelters, Compass and Design and Falling Leaves.  The kids raved about the classes afterwards.
During transition time the kids can play basketball, football, gaga ball, or just hang out.  They usually have this about 4 times a day for half of an hour. It's gets them to unwind and interact with kids from the other schools.

Dinner was chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn.  Yummy!!! Trust me your child will not starve up here. The food is awesome and kid friendly.  After a brief transition time the kids attended the Science Fair.  The counselors had different stations set up with experiments.  These are the kind of experiments the kids wouldn't see in school. I think the most popular was the crushing of a soda can with boiling water and cold water.  Once the fair was over we had quiet sing.  This is the time where the kids unwind and sing with the staff.  Also, sometimes these songs end up in the Moving on Ceremony in June.

Our view EVERYDAY!!!

I'm sure they won't fall asleep until 12 tonight.  However, 7:00 am comes very early.  I'm looking forward to my tradition of waking them up with heavy metal music.  Have a great night!!
Check out Callahan School's Blog too!!!
Callahan School's Nature's Classroom Blog

Only 1 Day until Nature's Classroom 2017!!!!!
We are so excited for Nature's Classroom this year.  The weather looks to beautiful all week long.  I know all of you are going to have sooooo much fun.  Remember to use the packing list for your supplies.  We will see at 8:30 at the CVS!!!!