Day 1 Before lunch May 2nd, 2011
Today we left for our outdoor education experience. We got to school at the same time as usual but instead of going to class we packed the bus up and watched a movie until it was time to go. On my bus I sat with Jackie, Marina, and Danielle. For the hour and a half bus ride we played cards, talked and listened to music. When we got to camp we put our stuff in our cabin and then headed to the big field to play some games as a big group.
The first game we played was offy ball where you have a partner in the line across from you. Then you get a number and when you have a number you try to kick a ball past the line where the opposing team is standing. After that we played everyone’s it tag where anyone can tag you and you can tag anyone. I just stood around the perimeter so all I had to do was look in front of me (I wasn’t tagged once). The third game we played was bear, hunter, and princess, which were similar to rock, paper scissors but instead of rock paper scissors its bear, hunter, and princess. The last game we played before lunch was called blob tag where one person is the blob and when the blob tags you you become part of the blob, not many people were tagged and soon it was time for lunch.
Day 1 After Lunch May 2nd, 2011
After lunch we got into our activity group to do some of the low rope exercises. Our counselor’s for this activity were Matt and Miriam throughout these activities we used our five-finger contract where each finger counts for something different. The thumb symbolizes good job, the pointer finger is mean because your saying its one persons fault, the middle finger is obviously bad, the ring finger resembles commitment to your group, and the pinkie shows someone that might need more help depending on the activities.
We first did a game where you throw stuffed animals in the same order without dropping it. Then we had to go through a jump rope in different pairs to get to the top of a building this took team work because the other person turning the rope also had to do it so we would have to switch that role. Then we went into the woods and did a spider wed thing where you have to hold your team’s hands and not touch the net. It took our group a great deal to do this. The next activity we did was where we had to pretend we were penguins and our iceberg sunk so we had to get from tree stumps to wooden platform’s (I know it doesn’t sound to realistic) We tried but weren’t able to complete this activity so we went to the next activity.
We weren’t able to talk at this activity only use hand signals. From her we had to balance a platform long enough o sing row, row, row, your boat. It took some time to figure out where to place everyone, but we eventually got the hang of it. The last activity we did was where we had to lower a helium pole to the ground with only holding it by our fingers. When we got back we played a game where we had to hold a balloon without our hands with a partner and carry it to the other end. When we finished at the big field we went to dinner.
Day 1 After Dinner May 2nd, 2011
After dinner we went back to get situated at our cabin the counselors in my cabin were Sra. Dion and Mrs. Wright. From here we went to play relay races in the gym.
The first one we did was where we had to hold a rubber chicken and run to the end set it on the chair and run back then the next person would run pick it up and run back. The second race we did was where you had to hold a paper plate with an eyeball on it over you shoulder like a waiter, this was hard because the paper plate would just blow off of your hand. The third one we did was where you had to hold a rubber circle between your knees and walk to the end and back. The fourth relay race we did was where you had to first crab walk then turn over onto your back and put your feet and hands n the air then say ”help me, help me, help me” you then run over and pull a hula hoop up over your body. Next you have to run jump rope three times and run back to the starting point. The last race we did was where you run with a rubber ring and rescue the other people in line. Our group didn’t do very well and we only got 1 point in the end but over all it was really fun.
After the relay races we either went on a night hike or went back to the cabins. We couldn’t go to our cabin because our counselors were on the night hike so we went to cabin 1, Where we played cards, wrote in our journal, and talked. Then Mrs. Mazur came in and did this weird riddle with your hand. It took us some time to get it which was to clear your throat then do the riddle. After this we headed back to our cabin. There we had to shower and get ready for bed. While we waited to shower we talked took pictures and planned for the day ahead where we were going to do classes on nature, bugs, survival, orienteering, new games, and Archery. When we had all finished showering (which was 15 minutes over lights out) we talked in the dark, (I passed notes with Marina who was on the bunk under me) we went to bed really late but woke up bright and early to start a new day.
Day 2 Before breakfast May 3rd, 2011
We woke up around six because my sister Margaret woke everyone up. Some people showered but mostly we had to get dressed and pack for the classes and activities later in the day. We always had to get to meals 10 minutes before they started. So while we waited we play carpet ball, played on the swings or just hung out. When the bell rang we lined up to wait and eat.
Day 2 After Breakfast May 3rd, 2011
It was freezing cold on Tuesday and I was in shorts. Our first activity was survival. The first thing we did was make a fire and the about the 3 3rs, you can only survive three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food. We added on three seconds without oxygen. After this we built a log cabin fire, which is a way to set it up. Next we learned some survival skills, but my favorite part was being able to build a shelter out of wood and rocks. Ours was made by putting wood on the sides of a huge branch it was awesome, but we were forced to destroy it.
Our next class was new games. We played two different games here one was called ultimate nerf the other was something with a Frisbee. The Frisbee game was where the offense team had to make 5 catches not in a row but in a turn, before the defense made three interceptions. I thought this game was fun. The game called ultimate nerf was where there were two teams one started with a ball and had to throw it without walking across the field to the end zone, our team lost but overall it was a good game.
Our third class or last one before lunch was Archery. We sat on benches and were taught how to shoot the arrow then we went up in three different groups to shoot. First we shot at cloth animals then we got to shoot at balloons. I was able to pop one but not everyone did. For the rest of the glass I sat on the bench and grass whistled, then it was time for lunch.
Day 2 After Lunch May 3rd, 2011
When lunch was over we had three more classes, first was nature. We met outside of the triplet cabins. Our first activity was where we closed our eyes the were handed an object we had to use our sense of touch to figure it out. In the end everyone knew which object (rock) it was. The next activity was where we had to be blind folded then get a partner who would lead us to a tree then be given a chance to find the tree without the blind fold. I found my tree pretty easily. My favorite activity came next where we had to tape our thumbs so we couldn’t use them. Next tie our shoes and zipper our coats with no thumbs, (It was pretty hard), Then it magically rained candy. We collected as much as possible then could keep it and eat it. After we took the tape off we went on a hunt to find clues that led to the prize in the end (Airheads) I enjoyed this class a lot.
Our 5th class was Insects. We went inside and sat around to say what we knew about insects. Then we each got an insect taped to our back and had to ask yes or no questions to figure it out. I had a cicada. The most fin part of the class was where we made insects out of candy. We then explained a bout our bug and gave it a name. I named mine killer. We then were able to eat it is we wanted otherwise we could throw it away. This class was more fun than I thought it would be but not within the top three classes of the day.
The last class for us in the day was orienteering or using a compass to find your way. We each got a compass and learned how to use it using degrees. We then each got a penny and had to take steps in different directions that in the end would lead you back to your penny. I found mine twice it was really cool. We then were given a path we had to follow through the woods. For the most part we got ours right. I enjoyed learning through this activity.
After this we went to our cabins to hang out. We wrote in our journals. We were there about 20 minutes before we had to get to dinner.
Day 2 After Dinner May 3rd, 2011
When dinner was over we headed over to the gym to play some games before we went to the campfire. Some of the kids went inside to play basketball, volleyball, or cards. While me and some other people went outside to play carpet ball. We would play then get back in line. This lasted about an hour before we headed down to the campfire to make smore’s. We sat down and were able to have 2 smores while we were eating Mr. Thurston told us some ghost stories. Overall it was a fun day and I was sad we had to leave the next day. We went back to our cabins and hung out. We talked some people texted because they snuck in their phones. We also had to fight over the showers again, which took some time. Most people hadn’t even started their journals yet. It was some time before we got to bed but we had a lot to do in the morning before we could go to the high ropes and climbing tower.
Day 3 Before Breakfast May 4th, 2011
In the morning we had to wake up and pack all of our belongings before breakfast. So they could pack up the bus while we were away. It took some time to clean out the cabin and make sure we didn’t leave anything behind. We brought all of our stuff down to the bus and played on the playground till breakfast started.
Day 3 After Breakfast May 4th, 2011
After breakfast was over we had to go to the ropes coarse. When we got there we had to sit and listen to the instructions of what to do. We were already in groups so group by group we all went up to the climbing tower while the others hung out and climbed around the ropes coarse. I was one of the first ones to go up on the rope where you held on to a rope and walked across another it was so much fun and a little scary, and by the end I was shaking it was very cool. We had to wait inline to make sure everyone got to go once before any one went twice, in all I went in four of the apparatuses. The other three ones were, one where you had to hold onto three separate ropes and climb along the line. The second where you had to walk across a balance beam, I did it with walking with my eyes closed and walking backward. Finally the third where you walked across 11 little wobbly platforms. I enjoyed the high ropes, but my most favorite part was the climbing wall and zip line. We got harnesses on and had a choice to either climb up a rock wall, which I did, or the giant’s rope and ladder. It took me a little while to make it up the rock wall because it was difficult but I eventually got it, and made it into the little spot at the top. At the top we had to get attached to a rope to make sure we didn’t fall but from they’re since you were so high up you could see everything it was beyond cool. When it was my turn to ziplene I got attached then stepped onto the platform for that and when I was ready I took a huge leap forward and it felt as close to flying as your going to get. I felt all the air rush past me it felt like a roller coaster. When I was done I stood on the top of the ladder got unhooked and ran it back.
When everyone had finished with high ropes we headed back for lunch before we went home.
Day 3 After lunch May 4th, 2011
After lunch we got on the bus and headed home. On the bus ride we talked and listened to music and sang songs. Overall it was a really fun trip. When we got back it was like a scavenger hunt trying to find our luggage. Then we got to go home an hour earlier. I can’t wait to go to Springfield next year. Thank You Mr. Qgden and Snake River Adventure center!
