Fourth Grade Science Camp

And we’re back!

I can’t believe 4th grade camp was only 2 days long. It definitely seemed like a lot longer (in the best possible way, of course). Hanging out with my little goobs outside of the classroom always opens my eyes to an entirely different side of the kiddos.

We drove about 3 hours (in the rain, might I add) up to Occidental and it continued pouring for the remainder of our time there. The rain didn’t dampen our spirit and our kids were so eager to partake in all the activities, despite the torrential downpour.

After our activities, we gathered together for some quality journal time. Our night hike had to be cancelled because of the weather, but the kids didn’t seem to be too disappointed. They were just happy to be together.

Instead of our night hike, we dressed up the parent chaperones as animals. Which turned out to be a different kind of fun.

Tuesday:

We woke up on Tuesday morning AT 7AM. Yes, you heard correctly. I got to sleep in until 7AM! Luxurious.

We bundled up and walked to breakfast. The rain stopped a little after we woke up. But only for a half hour or so. Then it started back up in FULL FORCE.

I quickly ran to the lodge to call my Mom and Dad for their 35th wedding anniversary. Holy cow. That’s a long time. Go team.

After breakfast, I joined the Forest Ecology group for a mini hike and a lesson on leaves. My favorite part about watching the naturalist teach his lesson was when he was explaining the different types of leaves. Each time he described one, he would look around on the ground and, within seconds, found one that matched his description. I LOVE when learning is so hands on and experiential. The kids just GET it.

I also just loved hiking in the rain with my little ones.

At one point on the hike, the naturalist stopped the group and had us make some tea by dropping some needles from a Douglas Fir into a canister of hot water. I then proceeded to tell all the kids that MY Christmas tree was a Fir tree. And his name is Fir-Ell Williams.

The naturalist had the kids do part of the hike solo. So while they waited until it was their turn, we stomped around in some dirt puddles. Duddles?

After lunch, I went and watched a group of kids do the Rope Rocket – which is basically a fancy, almost intimidating swing where the kids were harnessed in and swung back and forth among the trees. So. Cool.

After their second class, the kids have a block of time for Free Time. Obviously, the kids were a little rowdy and excited after swinging through the woods. So when they started playing Foosball, there was a ton of screaming and screeching.

I almost intervened to tell them to CALLMMMMMMMM down and relax. But then, I stopped myself. Because LOOK HOW CUTE AND EXCITED THEY ARE. Why would you want to squash that? So I just screamed and screeched right there with them.

Wednesday:

Breakfast time. Also the first time a lot of us tried a chicken fried steak. Each group did one more class (I wandered around the campsite to see ALL of them!) and then we packed our bags to load the bus!

Now I am officially exhausted. I’m not really sure why. I slept more there than I do at home. And we weren’t really responsible for our own group of kids, so I don’t really DESERVE to be tired. But I am. And I’m pretty confident I might wake up with a sore throat. I feel it coming on. Silly rain.

I ended the night at Tee Nee Thai where I got some rainy comfort food with Tiffany and Amanda. The food was typical Thai food, but I loved the atmosphere. (And the large portions of wine).