Students weather outdoor school

Weather as diverse as the class of Sisters Middle School sixth-graders didn't dampen spirits at the sixth-grade Outdoor School last week.

Rain, wind, sun and even snow visited the group of approximately 100 students and a record 28 counselors at Camp Caldera, where the activity was held last Monday through Thursday.

"This is the first year we've used Camp Caldera, which hopefully we can continue to use," said high school teacher Mary Thomas, who helped coordinate the event. "It's a beautiful site, and logistically it worked well because of the space we had to work with. Whether it was a hike around Blue Lake or songwriting in the Hearth Building, there was ample space for all of our activities."

Students participated daily in myriad activities and classes intended to increase their sense of place and appreciation of the area around them, and to instill a wilderness ethic. Also important was personal growth and the discovery of self, key for the process of maturation.

"The connection between the high school students and sixth-grade students is a critical mentoring opportunity, and also instills an ethic of both science and stewardship of our natural environment," said local singer-songwriter Brad Tisdel, who assisted at the event.

Classes designed by SMS staff and taught by the high school counselors covered hands-on topics such as minimum-impact camping, fire building, plant studies, water quality and animal studies. Interest groups, designed and taught by the high school counselors included orienteering, mural painting, drama, dance and songwriting.

"All of these activities were offered as a fun, structured arts-and-crafts type activity to give the students a break from the rigors of the day," explained Thomas.

Another highlight came in the evenings as students, counselors and staff gathered for the campfire. All students were encouraged to participate in cabin skits, counselors lead songs, and the evenings were filled with applause, laughter, and a sense of community.

The final closing ceremony of the four-day experience involved the entire ODS community gathered to reflect on their experience, personal growth and lessons learned. Tears and laughter were followed by the candle ceremony, considered a rite of passage for sixth grade students in the Sisters community.

"I loved Outdoor School. It allows sixth graders to realize who they are and what they can be," said student Dyut Fetrow.

"Outdoor School is often the most memorable experience students have in their entire middle school years. I believe that is because when you combine the beauty of the outdoors with opportunities for academic and interpersonal challenges, and layer in music, art, and energetic, fun-filled counselors and teachers, you get a wonderfully holistic experience. Outdoor School touches the hearts and minds of the students in a profound way," said SMS counselor Charlie Kanzig.