As I begin to reflect on our students' learning with regard to camp, I realize that to simply relate this as "camp" would be a gross understatement. Our students were truly experiencing all that an interdisciplinary, outdoor learning environment has to offer. Each day was filled with educational rigor, and our students experienced what it means to be curious concerning the world around them by observing, hypothesizing, testing, and recording information about those findings.
The first night walk was an exercise to help students develop the sense of hearing when sight is not available. Sports and games were focused on learning to work as a team to accomplish their goals. During the day hikes students observed and explored the characteristics unique to the biodiversity of the flora and fauna of the North Cascade ecosystem, and the role that each flora and fauna have within the ecosystem. Students collected samples from the hikes to observe and record in the microscope lab upon returning from the hikes. Through problem solving and hands on activities students learned mapping skills and the orographic effect of the Cascade Mountain Range. We explored the effect of moving glaciers on watersheds, rivers and streams.They also studied hands on geology and learned about the cycle of rock formations using their own samplings and collections. Last but not least, students were always taught to be reflective through journaling concerning their outdoor learning experience. By the students' reactions, I trust that we have been able to create not only a memory of a lifetime, but instill a yearning for exploration in the days and years to come.
I hope you all have been able to see and hear as much of the excitement concerning learning as Mrs. West and I have. Thank you all for trusting us to take your children on this trip.
