8th Grade Pinery Camping Trip: May 7 – May 10, 2013
Tuesday, May 7
On a beautiful 63 degree weather day, 40 8th grade Kennedy Middle School students prepared to travel to the Pinery Provincial Park in Ontario,
Canada. At school by 7:30 the bus and multiple chaperone vehicles were strategically packed with a variety of camping gear ranging from tents, pop up canopies, food coolers, cooking stoves, luggage, and several gallons of water.
Upon arrival all hands were busily setting up camp in a familiar campsite that has been visited by Kennedy students for many years. It is
ideally located and presents easy water access between the Old Ausable River Channel and Lake Huron.
Outdoor Education provides the perfect opportunity for students to participate in group initiative problem solving, leadership, and decision-making
activities. In essence, tasks are designed so that a group must employ cooperation and some physical effort to gain a solution. Based upon the
activities students were grouped into two groups (Ravens and Hawks) and three groups (Lava Bombs, Yellow Jackets, and Blue Jay Bombers). Each day student groups will participate in competitive activities. Today's activities were Birthday Rope Line Up, Blindfold Rope Square, Duck Call, and Human Pyramid and Egg Drop along with compass practice.
Our day ended with a clear night on the beach and Mr. Kensicki instructing an astronomy lesson much to the delight of the students when they
recognized several constellations.
On a beautiful 63 degree weather day, 40 8th grade Kennedy Middle School students prepared to travel to the Pinery Provincial Park in Ontario,
Canada. At school by 7:30 the bus and multiple chaperone vehicles were strategically packed with a variety of camping gear ranging from tents, pop up canopies, food coolers, cooking stoves, luggage, and several gallons of water.
Upon arrival all hands were busily setting up camp in a familiar campsite that has been visited by Kennedy students for many years. It is
ideally located and presents easy water access between the Old Ausable River Channel and Lake Huron.
Outdoor Education provides the perfect opportunity for students to participate in group initiative problem solving, leadership, and decision-making
activities. In essence, tasks are designed so that a group must employ cooperation and some physical effort to gain a solution. Based upon the
activities students were grouped into two groups (Ravens and Hawks) and three groups (Lava Bombs, Yellow Jackets, and Blue Jay Bombers). Each day student groups will participate in competitive activities. Today's activities were Birthday Rope Line Up, Blindfold Rope Square, Duck Call, and Human Pyramid and Egg Drop along with compass practice.
Our day ended with a clear night on the beach and Mr. Kensicki instructing an astronomy lesson much to the delight of the students when they
recognized several constellations.
Wednesday, May 8
Camping weather continues to be very pleasant and mild for those who are having their first experience tent camping. By 9:00 am student breakfasts
consisting of pancakes, pop tarts, and cereal are completed and campsites cleaned up.
While Mrs. Coffey and Mrs. Mackewich took one group and read Touching Spirit Bear as part of the Language Arts curriculum, Mrs. Clow and Mr. Kensicki conducted Water Quality testing which is part of the science curriculum. During this same time Mr. Paver and Mrs. Malloy set up the orienteering course.
Touching Spirit Bear is a 2001 young adult novel written by the American author, Ben Mikaelsen. The book is about a troubled Minneapolis teen named Cole who completely changes after spending a year on an isolated southwestern Alaska island. (Wikipedia) Cole's ability to adapt and appreciate his natural enviornment on the island ties in perfectly with this student camping experience. In addition to reading this fascinating story, each student whittled soap spirit bears using ivory soap, plastic knives and toothpicks.
Testing the water on the Old Ausable River Channel was equally enjoyable as many macro invertebrates were identified along with finding minnows, tadpoles, frogs, and crayfish. Although the students got their fingers dirty, they experienced life in a river system hands-on. By completing different water quality tests such as dissolved oxygen which measures water's ability to support plants and animals along with Ph levels, and temperature, students gained a better understanding of the importance of protective this natural resource.
Orienteering is a timed partner activity that requires navigational skills using a compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain such as the sand dunes. This year two groups mastered the course in 23 minutes: Julia Cann and Amanda Conlon along with Jason Fiddler and Evan Hazlett.
Additional cooperative activities today were Survival Bands, Beach Ball Relay
Lights went out at 11:30 pm after students made s'mores, sang songs and told ghost stories at the campfire.
Camping weather continues to be very pleasant and mild for those who are having their first experience tent camping. By 9:00 am student breakfasts
consisting of pancakes, pop tarts, and cereal are completed and campsites cleaned up.
While Mrs. Coffey and Mrs. Mackewich took one group and read Touching Spirit Bear as part of the Language Arts curriculum, Mrs. Clow and Mr. Kensicki conducted Water Quality testing which is part of the science curriculum. During this same time Mr. Paver and Mrs. Malloy set up the orienteering course.
Touching Spirit Bear is a 2001 young adult novel written by the American author, Ben Mikaelsen. The book is about a troubled Minneapolis teen named Cole who completely changes after spending a year on an isolated southwestern Alaska island. (Wikipedia) Cole's ability to adapt and appreciate his natural enviornment on the island ties in perfectly with this student camping experience. In addition to reading this fascinating story, each student whittled soap spirit bears using ivory soap, plastic knives and toothpicks.
Testing the water on the Old Ausable River Channel was equally enjoyable as many macro invertebrates were identified along with finding minnows, tadpoles, frogs, and crayfish. Although the students got their fingers dirty, they experienced life in a river system hands-on. By completing different water quality tests such as dissolved oxygen which measures water's ability to support plants and animals along with Ph levels, and temperature, students gained a better understanding of the importance of protective this natural resource.
Orienteering is a timed partner activity that requires navigational skills using a compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain such as the sand dunes. This year two groups mastered the course in 23 minutes: Julia Cann and Amanda Conlon along with Jason Fiddler and Evan Hazlett.
Additional cooperative activities today were Survival Bands, Beach Ball Relay
Lights went out at 11:30 pm after students made s'mores, sang songs and told ghost stories at the campfire.
Thursday, May 9
Friday, May 10
No camping trip is every complete without a little rain. Fortunately, the rain stayed away until this morning when we were breaking down camp to
return home. Needless to say most everything came home a little damp but overall even the rain could not have spoiled the fantastic time we had.
Be sure to check out the student quote page for their highlights and memories.
No camping trip is every complete without a little rain. Fortunately, the rain stayed away until this morning when we were breaking down camp to
return home. Needless to say most everything came home a little damp but overall even the rain could not have spoiled the fantastic time we had.
Be sure to check out the student quote page for their highlights and memories.