No Tents, No Problem! Angevine Middle School Makes Memories on Action-Packed Day Trips. Written by CI Field Instructor Hailey Schmidt
Last month, Angevine Middle School students were disappointed to hear that their overnight trip had been switched to two day trips due to excessively cold weather predicted for the night of their May campout. However, they took it with grace and had a blast exploring Cal-Wood Education Center’s property despite the chilliness. Though they didn’t get to sleep in tents, we were able to do many of the activities that students originally planned for.
Our day started with a hike to “Solitude”- a beautiful camp area at Cal-Wood. Students used incredible teamwork to create “tarp-landia” to keep our chefs dry while preparing lunch. While some students prepared the lunch spread, others played games. During lunch, students enjoyed the space while sipping some well-appreciated chai tea.
The rest of our afternoon was spent hiking up to Inspiration Point. Along the way, we spotted a herd of deer and noticed where fire retardant had been dropped during the recent fire at Cal-Wood. Students continued to use their senses at the top, where they participated in sit spots, a highlight of the day. We all spent 10 minutes in silence, soaking up our surroundings in our own locations. Some people saw a snowshoe hare, others observed flowers, and some listened to the bird songs.
On day two, we practiced some fun and practical outdoor skills. Students practiced fire-starting with strikers and created a fire to keep us warm and to make s’mores. Once the flames were roaring, students received a knife safety lesson and got to whittle sticks for marshmallow roasting. We enjoyed our s’mores and a game before heading to a pond. Here, students had the opportunity to fish! Many students caught fish while a young osprey watched from a tree above.
The day concluded with a group reflection about everyone’s favorite parts of the trip. This spirit of adaptation and exploration is exactly what makes these outdoor experiences so valuable – proving that sometimes the most unexpected adventures become the most cherished ones.
