I cannot believe how sore my muscles were in the morning! My only saving grace was that the showers had nice hot water I could soak in, and by the end of 10 minutes, I was feeling pretty good. The breakfast was warm and hearty and everyone seemed pretty awake by the end of it. Our first class was adapted to the indoors, as the temperatures were dangerously cold. Although the entire 2-3 hours was usually outside, Heather, a park ranger for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, decided that a few short jaunts of about a half hour would be more appropriate. The class was called “Watershed Stories” and concentrated on the history of the earth on this spot. Time periods were divided by “chapters,” beginning with the earth being covered by volcanic activity and the forming of igneous rock. Students saw examples of igneous rock, and talked about how it was formed. The next chapter dealt with sedimentary rock and the earth looking like a shallow ocean. Next was metamorphic rock and the earth containing lots of plant life. The next four chapters introduced man into the picture, first with crude tools, then forming settlements and finally industrialization. It was a terrific lesson, covering geology, earth science, and ecology.
After lunch the staff went over the schedule for the rest of the day. This was true of each meal. The kids always knew where they were going and when. Communication was outstanding. After announcements, they always had a camp song of some kind to “aid in digestion.” They were all catchy and the kids were singing them as we walked from one class to another the whole week.
The class after lunch was called “Roles and Residences.” Our staff instructor, Stephanie, talked about the “chain of energy:” the sun sends energy to the earth, which is consumed by the plants (producer). Herbivores (primary consumers) eat the plants, and carnivores (secondary consumers) eat the herbivores. Decomposers live off of the dead materials, and a bit of energy is left over and given off as heat energy. The kids used playacting and specific examples to learn about this chain. In one of the examples, the kids traced their favorite food back through the consumers and producers. They really seemed to get it once they had a reference they knew.
I was given some time off for the evening after dinner, and went and read a book for a bit. I must confess that I also took out the TV and watched the evening news. I can’t believe how disconnected I felt after just one day! Maybe it’s time for more hikes at home…nah.
The students did a program called Arts in the Park, and were able to sign up for drama, music and movement, writing, musical instruments, and I think poetry. They all worked on a skit or musical performance or wrote something about the watershed. After time to practice, they performed what they had worked on. I was seriously disappointed that I had taken my time off when I did after hearing about it. Why didn’t I think to ask when the next hike was and take that time instead???? After sharing the various things they did, the girls set about getting ready for bed, and it got quiet pretty quickly. I think we were all more than a little tired.
Devin and Classmate share what they've learned
