Introduction
In 6th grade the big experience is Outdoor Education. We went from May 2nd-May 4th. I’m going to explain to you all the activities and information about my trip. For Outdoor Ed I went to Snake River Adventure Park in Lake Geneva. This was a very fun experience for me and I wish we could have stayed there for a longer amount of time!
May 3rd, 2011-Day 1
Bus Ride From Marie Murphy To Snake River Adventure Park
I am sitting by myself and am on bus number 4. Next to me were Danielle and Margaret. Anna and Marina are behind me and we are in the bus with all the girls’ luggage and gym equipment. Anna, Marina, and I were playing BS and War. The teachers that were on bus 4 were Mrs. Right, Mr. Henley, and Mr. Kolcz. When we were driving there we saw a giant sign that spelled out CHEESE. That is when I knew we were in Wisconsin. We got to Snake River Adventure Park at around 11:15 am.
Triplets-Girl Cabins
Getting Luggage Out Of Bus/Settling In Cabin
When we got there we were the first bus. We had to get the entire luggage off the bus and put in on the parking lot. When everything was out of the bus we got back on the bus to get our daypacks. We went to the park and listened to Brain’s rules/guidelines. After listening to Brian, we got our luggage and bring it to our cabins. I was in Triplet 2, and it was the middle cabin up on the hill. I thought that the cabins were good, and they approved my standards of a cabin. I had very low expectations for the cabins and they were very much, above these expectations.
Team Building
After we out all the luggage in our cabins and got comfortable, we went to the big field that was up the hill. We played many games. The games were “Brawl Ball”, “Everyone Is It”, and “Blob”. Let me explain these games. Brawl Ball is were you have a partner and go across from each other. The instructor would call out number/s from 1-31. My number was 23 and my partner was Maya. If you get called you go out to the middle and kick/throw the ball and try to get the ball passed the other side of people. I think of this game like “Get The Bacon”. The second game was Everyone is it. You can probably tell by the name what you have to do. The twist to it is that if the person that tagged you gets tagged and is out. Then you are back in the game. Also, towards the end of the game one of the instructors said that if you are out, and sitting down. You can tag people that come by you. The third game was called Blob. This is based on a horror movie made in the 1950’s. One person starts it (Michelle V.) and once someone gets tagged they are part of the blob and it keeps growing. I was the second addition of the blob. At the end the blob had 8 people. I thought these games very really fun and in all of the games we played you had to play the game as a team or else you are just making it hard on yourself.
Blob
Lunch
For Lunch I had a grilled cheese sandwich, lays potato chips, a banana, and a cookie. My Lunch was fantastic!!!
Name Game
Low Ropes
After Lunch, we went to the big field before we went into our groups. We played finger fencing and I played Anna. I won 8-3. The object of the game is to keep each other’s hands connected and tag the other person. Once this was over we went into our groups and we played the Name Game. You had to throw the stuffed animal/tennis ball to the person 2 spots away. It is called the name game because you had to call out the persons name before you threw the stuffed animal/tennis ball or else your group had to start over. We named the stuffed animal Co Co and we named the first tennis ball John, ad the second one was called Tony the great.
We started to go through the woods and were going to our next activity. Our next activity was called Boat Trouble. Your group was in a “boat” and hungry alligators surrounded the boat. You and your team had to find a way to get the rope and get to the platform across the ocean. The rules were that you can’t touch the water (or you will get eaten), you are not aloud to sacrifice yourself, and you can’t take things the make the “boat” and use them to get to the platform. For example you can dive in the water, so that he people that are behind you can step on you (because dead bodies float) and get to the platform. Another reason this strategy wouldn’t work I because the alligators would probably just eat the person who is sacrificing his/her life. When we finally got the rope, I helped get people over the front part of the boat by putting my knee down and letting them step up on my knee. Later on we found an even easier way to get to the platform with the rope. The rope had a little hole at the bottom of it and you would put one foot in it. And then you would have to jump up, and hold on to the rope. Once everyone got to the platform, it was time for our next activity.
Before we started the activity, we had to get blindfolded. After everyone got blindfolded the instructor and teachers for our group led up through the woods till we got to the Help Maze. In the help maze you had to follow the ropes and try to find your way out. The way you got out of the maze is to ask for help. Marina went around the maze about 7 or 8 times and never got out. When she was the last one, the instructor let her get out. Now I understand why it called the help maze because the only way out is to ask for help. Our instructor kept saying, “If you need help, raise your hand”. I was the third to get out. I didn’t even know why I was taken out and I was really confused. It took me 5 minutes t understand why I was taken out and then it all made since. So, I learned that it is good to ask for help when you need it.
The next thing was called Crack the Code. In this game the problem was that Lake Geneva was getting taken over by a dinosaur and on this computer you had to press all the buttons to stop the dinosaur. The rules to this game were that you can’t touch the ropes, you have to stay connected, and you have to touch every space. It took use several ideas till I came up with the idea that you have 3 people in front and then everyone lines up behind one of the 3 people. I as the person with all the people behind me, and my idea worked!
Also, one of the biggest things I learned during low ropes was the Five Finger Contract. The five-finger contract is each one of your fingers has a rule, and at the end you have to sign the “contract”. The pinkie finger rule is don’t exclude people and include everyone. The ring finger rule is comitment. What I mean by this is that you have to be able to trust your group and stay with them. Also, never give up on them. The middle finger rule is don’t call people names. The pointer finger rule is don’t blame people. If someone does something wrong don’t complain because every once in a while you or someone else has to make a mistake. The thumb rule is always say good job to people and always encourage people.
Big Group Game
During this time all the groups gathered at the big field to play a game. The game was called Balloon Trouble. In this game you had to get the balloon to the other side with out using you hands. You had to carry the balloon with you bodies. You can’t just carry it over with you elbows or kicking it. Also, the last person when they carry the balloon over with the person in front of them, they have to run back and roll.
Dinner
After Low ropes it was time to wash up and go to dinner. For dinner I had spagitti, meatballs, tomato sauce, jello, piece of cake, and sprite. Favorite Meal at Outdoor Ed.
Group 5
Relay Races
For the relay races we went to the JAC (Jackson Activity Center). We were in 5 teams; the teams were the same as you activity group. I was in group number 5. The people in my group were Marina, Chelsea, Joey, Margaret, Annie, Allen, Jessica, Raheel, Tony, Kameron, Cory, and I. We did all crazy kinds of games.We came in third with 6 points!
Jump Rope Time
Dorm Time
We had a choice during this dorm time, the choice was you can either stay in your cabin or you could go on a Night Hike. I choose not to night hike. The teachers that were in our cabins went on the night hike, so we had to go in triplet 1. When we went in triplet 1, we played games like copy me, vacation and we started to play maphia, but then we had to go back to triplet 2. The teachers in triplet 2, my cabin, were Mrs. Right and Sra. Dion. When we got to our cabin we were talking and screaming like normal girls. Mostly everyone in our cabin took a shower that night and right when the last person was done it was time for lights out.
Lights Out/All Silent
After Light were out we started to talk because we just wanted to and couldn’t wait for the next day. I have to admit it I was talking, too. I talked to Marina and Anna. When it was all silent we said our last whispers and went to bed.
May 4th, 2011-Day 2
Rise and Shine
I was the third person to wake up. Marina woke Anna up, and Anna had woken me up. You wouldn’t believe that it was only 6:00 in the morning and it was bright and sunny. We were not supposed to wake up till 7:00. We all couldn’t go back to sleep. The only person that was in our cabin, that didn’t wake up was Jessica. I couldn’t believe it. We were talking normally and she didn’t even move an inch. Well when it was finally time to wake up at 7:00, Margaret had to wake Jessica up. It was time to get dressed and no one wanted to get out of bed.
Breakfast
For breakfast I had captain crunch, bacon, tater tots, milk, and water.
Archery
Session 1: Archery
This was our first session on the day. It was very cold, but very fun. Our instructor was Andrew. During archery I learned that there are 2 kinds of bows, which are wooden and composite. Also that you always have to have the bow facing toward the range/target area. The other thing I find very interesting that on the arrow has 3 fins. 2 are the same color and 1 is not the same color. The fin with the non-matching color points away and the matching fins are resting on the wires that make the arrow shot
Nature
Session 2: Nature
Our instructor for Nature was Mrs. Right. At first we closed our eyes and she put something in our hand. With our sense of touch, we had to identify what our object was and what it is like. Then we opened our eyes and we passed around and the objects (rock, acorn, bark) and you have to find the one that is yours. Mine object was a rock. And I identified my object correct. The next activity we did was where we were pretending to be squirrels and when every they were good candy rained. So we got our thumbs taped to our hands so we can’t us them. Then when it rained candy we hand to collect, unwrap, and eat the candy without using our thumbs. Our final activity in Nature was were we had to go through the woods and try to find the numbered cards 1-6 (there is no 5). There was a scent that smelled like peppermint and they were by every number card. After we collected all the number cards, Mrs. Right was so nice that she gave us an airhead.
Etomology-Insects
Session 3: Entomology
Entomology is the study of insects. We started off entomology with a game, you would go around and ask people questions. You were supposed to try and guess what kind of bug you have. The instructor put a picture of an insect on the back of you so you couldn’t see it. My insect was a leafhopper. After everyone had figured out which bug they were, our instructor talked about insects. I learned many things like that a dragonfly can be as big as 2 feet long. After all of the talking we got to stand up and look at all the cool insect stuff she had on the table. She had picture, actual bugs, diagrams, and etc. After we looked at the insect stuff for about 5 minutes, we started to male our own insects with candy. Mine was called stinger, and it’s was to kill its prey was by his nose stinger. We used candy corn, dots, and tooth picks.
Lunch-Pizza
Lunch
For lunch I had pizza, jello, peach codler, and water. This was the best pizza I have ever tasted!
Orienteering-Compass
Session 4: Orienteering
Orienteering is were you use a compass to find your way around. During this activity we got a compass and a penny. You would put the penny next to you, then follow the degrees Mr. Ogden told you, get red jack in the shack and move the number of paces Mr. Ogden said too. Once you did it 3-4 times you would be at your original spot where you put your penny. We did this about 3 times. Then we got a sheet of paper that told us where to start. How many degrees to go to, and how many steps. This would make you go through the woods/forest and find your way to a tree that was lettered. I tried my first location spot probably a dozen times and couldn’t get it. So I switch and the same thing happened. I guess I’m better off with a GPS then with an old fashion compass.
Survival-Forts
Session 5: Survival
During survival we were by a small campfire. We talked about what you would need on a hiking trip or something else. We also talked about the limits. The limits are 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food, and 3 hours to make shelter. We had 10 minutes to make our own fort with the branches and sticks that were around us. In my group was Annie, Margaret, Marina, and I. Our fort was very small in height but wide. Our fort was made by big trunks and long branches. This was very fun to me, and at the end we got to destroy our forts, which was way more fun than building the fort. Even thought we put a lot of work into it.
New Games
Session 6: New Games
Since it was raining outside we played New Games in the JAC. The games we played were Keep Away Frisbee, Ultimate Nerf, and Monarch. Keep Away Frisbee is the same exact thing as keep away. The only difference is that you use a Frisbee not a ball. I think doing it with a Frisbee is harder. Also, there were boundaries and if the Frisbee goes out of bounds or passed to the same person that passes to you, than you have to restart and you don’t get the point. If the defense intersecps it than it is there point and they only need 3 points to win. If you’re on offense and you catch the Frisbee than you get the point and the offense needs 5 points.
Dinner
For dinner I had chicken strips, mash potato, jello, and sprite. The chicken strips were delectable.
Relax Time
After dinner we had a hour to ourselfs. During this time we all got our hair french braided. We all looked like Princess Laya from Star Wars.
Carpet Ball
Games in JAC
During this time we were in the JAC and you could be in the game room, be in the gym, or outside playing carpet ball. I was outside playing carpet ball. I never played carpet ball before, but I was really good at it. I only lost 2 games the whole time we were at Outdoor Ed. This was against both boys and girls. By the JAC they only had 1 carpet ball set. By the dining hall and park there were 4 sets. This was very fun, too. After I got home from Outdoor Ed. I asked my dad if he could build me my own carpet ball set. I loved playing carpet ball, and that is all I did for the hour we were at the JAC for games.
Campfire
Campfire
The Campfire was my favorite thing of all during our Outdoor Ed Trip. We made smores and Mr.Thirsten told us ghost stories. I had to make Mrs. Wright smores. The first one I did for her was kind of burnt and the second one was perfect! I like the campfire the most because it reminded me of my memories of my last year in Randolph, NJ when there was a big bon fire. Another reason why the campfire was my favorite thing is because I liked all the heat from the fire and I liked being it the outdoors and looking at the stars. Also just being with my friends and there not being any drama.
Smores
Dorm Time
We were all hyper because of the smores. Since we had the campfire, dorm time was only for 45 minutes. Once we got to our cabin we were singing and laughing. Margaret was doing the most hilarious thing. We were all sad that this was our last night at Outdoor Ed. We didn’t want Outdoor Ed. to end. Instead we wanted it to be 2 or 3 more days.
Lights Out/All Silent
Since our dorm time was cut short, we didn’t have a lot of time for showers so we went to bed a little after 10:00. Anna and Danielle we doing light show with flashlights that were found in our cabin. They only did this for about 2 minutes. We went to bed at around 10:30.
May 5th, 2011-Day 3
Rise and Shine
This day I was even more tired than yesterday. I woke up first at 6:55 and no one else woke up till 7:10. I was bored to death being the only one awake and not being able to talk to any of play on a computer or I-touch (well we were not allowed to bring electronic anyway). This morning all of us got our hair French braid.
Breakfast
For breakfast we had the most soft waffle sticks ever. I also had milk, eggs, and bacon (my favorite thing ever).
High Ropes and Climbing Tower
Zipline on Climbing Wall
High Ropes-Tires
I loved High Ropes. This is what I was waiting for the whole trip. There were 5 stations at high ropes and I did every single one of them. The 5 courses a wire to walk on, balance beam, tire, ropes, and swings. My favorite one is the wire you walk on because it is wide enough to walk on but still very hard. You have to hold on the rope above you so that you can balance. I loved doing these courses. Even though they made me scared being that high up, they were even more fun for me because I could do the course having fun without worry that I could fall. All of these make you focus on what you are doing because if you don’ t and slip or trip than you fall.
Lunch
For Lunch I hade soft shell tacos, nachos, jello, sprite, and rice crispy treat. Mr. Ogden was so nice to let us have soda.
Bus Ride to Marie Murphy
On the bus ride back to Marie Murphy we were on the same bus. I like to call the bus we were on the luggage bus because the bus had all the girls’ luggage and took up about half the bus. The only bad thing on the way back was that the luggage took about 2 more rows up. The reason why this was so bad because I had to share a sit and Marina, Anna and I couldn’t play card games like BS and war. I got through the bus ride because I was talking to Marina most of the time. For the last 15 minutes of the bus ride I was listening to music on my nano.
Arriving At Marie Murphy
When we got to Marie Murphy we were the first bus to get there. We had to unload all the luggage. Once all the luggage was out, I waited for my dad to come and there he was at 2:25 pm in the first row with his work car. It was great to feel back at school and loved to be in my room again. I think this is an experience I will never forget! J
Closing
I think it is such a pleasure to be able to get the chance to go to Outdoor Ed. I learned so many new things and learned a lot about myself. For instincts, I learn how to use a compass, and I learned how I’m sometimes scared of heights. But when I’m having fun it doesn’t bother me. I think that Outdoor Ed will always be a experience that I cant forget about. It was fun and I liked learning outdoor, rather than be stuck in a classroom sitting in chairs. I wish that every year we can go to Outdoor Ed and gather in the nature around us. I hope that all the other people in the world who haven’t already got the experience to go to Outdoor Ed with eventually go, It is a life changing thing you should do.
Group Picture
