Final Day in the Adirondacks

I can't believe it's our final day here in the Adirondacks already. When first arriving, I thought the week would move by at a normal peace, and never expected it to fly by the way that it did! What an adventure it has been. I truly enjoyed our time here, and everyone that has been a part of this trip has made everything that much more of a worthwhile experience. It's bittersweet to be leaving, as much as I miss things from home, it'll be sad to go not knowing when i'll be back.

Morning Kayak with Some Experiential Learning

This morning Kathy, Lindsey, and I took advantage our open time slot to take the kayaks out once again. Yesterday had been mine and Lindsey's first time out on them, and how could we not go again after our fantastic first time yesterday? When would we get the chance to kayak, or kayak in the mountains again any time soon? It was to beautiful of a morning to pass up on the opportunity. So off we went!

On our way I was reminded of the concept of community and how important it is to build a community in your classroom, between each other. With Lindsey and I being new to kayaking we really wouldn't have gone out on the water with Kathy, or without having faith and trust in Kathy to guide us in the water, especially the process of getting in and out. We also as a group had to decide how far to go, where to go, when to turn around, etc, further building cooperation and teamwork with each other. I look forward to furthering this, this afternoon with the ropes course.

First Kayaking Adventure

After a wonderful trip up Bear Mountain, the group finally had a chance to kayak. Everyone has been buzzing about kayaking sense we docked on the campground Sunday evening, and now we were getting the chance to do so! While everyone has excited with prospect of being out on the water, I myself was rather hesitant. Lindsey and I were the only two without kayaking experience. The only time I had ever even attempted, I tipped the kayak just trying to get into the water.

Here I was in the beautiful Adirondacks, on a pristine lake, on a beautiful sunny day, perfectly willing to let fear get the best of me and scrap the adventure all together. Not give this activity a second chance, just over the small chance that I might flip, which isn't even dangerous. What was I thinking? Clearly I was not thinking clearly. I ended up hiking past Kirby Camp and back, and am so happy I went. It also hit home how much experiental learning is fantastic and beneficial in all areas of life.

Adirondack Museum and Wild Center Trip

I had no idea what to expect going on our field trips today, but was happy to see that both were more then beneficial (not that I had any doubts whatsoever) for myself and my future classrooms. There are so many enrichment activities that can be incorporated into a multitude of lessons in so many subject areas: social studies, sciences, and even math and ELA.

The Adirondack Museum provides a historic and cultural insight into how people lived when the Adirondack area was really getting started, and also there entire way and means of live. It goes well beyond the log cabin and horse transportation that most people already picture, and really takes you full circle through the small details of life, that we might not necessarily think about with all of our modern conveniences.

The school house was especially interesting, being a teacher myself, to see just how far education has come, and how much education has changed throughout the years. As far as we have come in technology, and other endeavors, however I couldn't help but think how much simpler life was politically in education during those times. Nothing was centered around standards, and there was no teaching to the test.

ADKClass Post 1-Attack of the Flies

After our first night sleeping in Hemlock, and a delicious breakfast we headed out for a hike, which was absolutely fantastic except for the notorious flies that the camp is well known for. Now I must say as a disclaimer, the flies in no way ruined the hike, and astonishingly I walked away with only one bite! Now by this time you're probably wondering: why is this post deemed "Attack of the flies"?

Flies decided to make my pants their own personal landing spot, to catch a ride and tag along on the hike. Dozens of flies made my pant legs their means of transportation for the walk, unannounced to me. I only noticed when fellow classmate behind me saw the dozens of flies tagging along.

At first I didn't understand what was happening, no one else was having dozens of flies catch a ride, just three or four, here and there. Karl quickly pointed out  that it could be the detergent I use.

Note to self: use non-scented detergent on clothes you plan to pack for camping!