Sixth graders learn about the outdoors

Sisters sixth graders learn about their environment. photo by Brad Tisdel The Sisters Middle School sixth grade class invaded Camp Tamarack May 4-7 for the annual Outdoor School program led by science teacher Carol Packard and educational consultant Brad Tisdel.

For most sixth graders the experience turned out to be the highlight of the school year.

Students arrived at the shores of Dark Lake by school bus on Tuesday morning, welcomed in song by a cadre of 13 high school camp counselors, who would become mentors, teachers, and friends to the sixth graders over the next four days.

Each counselor was assigned six to eight campers in a cabin that would be called home each night. The days were filled with learning, arts and crafts and recreation.

Daytime activities included forest and pond studies, wilderness first aid, orienteering, fire building, fire prevention and safety, "good camp/bad camp" (camping etiquette), water safety, team building, music, arts and crafts and recreation.

Camp Tamarack survived last summer's forest fires, but evidence of the devastation comes right up to the shores of the lake. Travis Moyer brought his fire truck out one evening and explained to the campers how Camp Tamarack was saved and answered questions about fighting wildfires.

Tisdel, who helped train the high school counselors along with Packard, and taught music and team building exercises during the day, believes deeply in the value of Outdoor School at the sixth grade level.

"The exposure to and increased awareness of their immediate environment helps them to better understand and appreciate where they live," he said. "The academic enrichment and the experiential learning that takes place at Outdoor School is critical to them becoming good stewards of the land."

Each evening the group would come together for camp fire in the lodge where counselors would teach songs, tell stories, and perform skits. Each cabin of campers did a skit during the week and music class participants performed.

Campfire time is a wrap- up of each day.

"Bringing the sixth graders together for some meaningful time away from the normal routine of life helps build community that will make them stronger as they move through middle school and into high school," he said.

Carol Packard, who is the heart and soul of Outdoor School, views the experience for the sixth graders as vital to their growth and understanding.

"We all need Outdoor School," she said.

"Collectively, there is no way to reach the students as deeply and meaningfully as we do when we are up here at camp."

During the final campfire Thursday evening students assembled in groups of about 20 to reflect on the week.