Adventure Ed Funding Request - May 30, 2006

To Persons of Interest:

During the past school year, 2005-06, the role of Adventure Education at Langley Middle School has been greatly elevated. Due to a good vision of the director of the program, Adventure Education has enabled students to go far beyond programs of the past. Students participated in trips to Glacier National Park, Los Padres National Forest, and the Washington Coastal Trail Hike. The enthusiasm generated in students by this program has been phenomenal. Even knowing of the rigorous academic preparation for these trips students still flock to become part of the class. The director of the program is constantly being addressed with the hope that it will encompass even more far reaching goals. The teachers involved with Adventure Education are dedicated to making this program a model for all schools seeking such a class offering. Additional means of funding are required to allow the program’s expansion. I fully support any help offered by outside sources to enhance this program. Adventure Education at LMS is truly an inspiring part of the total educational process. If I can be of any further help please don’t hesitate to ask.

Regards,

Darrell Posch
Principal
Langley Middle School

Tent Practice - May 11, 2006

Today, Adventure Ed students had the opportunity to set up the new Kelty tents that recently arrived in the mail. Every group was successful in setting up their tent. On future trips, students will be able to split the weight of these five-pound tents by carrying different parts in their backpacks. These two-person tents fit perfectly with our lightweight backpacking focus. LMS Adventure Ed would like to thank the PTSA for their financial support. These tents could not have been purchased without their help. Adventure Ed students will now have a dry place to stay on wet, chilly nights.

California Trip - April 11, 2006

Adventure Ed students woke early knowing that they had a full day of exploring awaiting them in Carmel by the Sea (http://www.carmelcalifornia.com/). Students ate breakfast, worked on their journals, packed their bags and headed out the door of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Students walked to the Monterey Transit Plaza and caught the MST route number five to Carmel by the Sea.

The bus dropped the Adventure Ed group off in downtown Carmel. After arriving, the group made a beeline for the ocean beach. On the way to the beach, students and chaperones walked through some of the most expensive neighborhoods on the planet. The custom craftsmanship and the price tags were enough to drop even the most tightly set jaw. When the students arrived at the public beach, a football was pulled out of a backpack. The next forty-five minutes were spent playing “Tackle-the-man-with-the-ball.” No major injuries were sustained. After the game, players threw themselves on the sand, took a quick drink and prepared to push further down the beach.

The group decided to head south to the Carmel River State Beach (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=567). Because the Carmel River had to be crossed, the Adventure Ed class hiked inland and walked across the bridge. The group then cut west into a neighborhood and found a trail leading to the beach. On the way down the trail, students and chaperones spotted some large rock formations on the ocean shore. The group hiked to the rocks and started climbing them. Once on top, students pointed their noses to the wind and took in the view. Later, students made their way out to a rock that was being pounded by the surf. Students stayed on the rock long enough to get wet. Several students were witnessed raising their closed fists in the direction of the open ocean. Students and chaperones looking on from the safe refuge of the beach swore they heard the question “Is that all you’ve got?!” uttered from someone taking waves on the rock. This statement cannot be confirmed because the wind was blowing hard and the surf was pounding the shoreline to the extent that hearing was minimal at best.

After spending several hours at the beach, students walked north along the shore. The plan was to ford the Carmel River if possible. The river was too swift at the mouth, so the group traveled inland up the bank. The group found a spot where the river flattened out. With teacher approval, Lainey and Jason were the first to ford the river. The remaining chaperones and students quickly tied their shoelaces together, slung them over their shoulders and struck out across the river. After reaching the north bank, students put on their shoes and continued their trek back into the Carmel neighborhoods.

After entering the Carmel neighborhoods, the group found a transit stop and waited for the next available bus to Monterey. The bus was able to drop the group off near St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Once inside, students enjoyed dinner and a movie.

California Trip - April 10, 2006

In the morning, students and chaperones cleaned the basement of St. Timothy Lutheran Church. The church needed to use the room later in the day. Everyone pitched in and the area was spotless when the group was done. Mr. O’Connor, Guy’s father, had recently arrived in Monterey on a family visit. He was gracious enough to shuttle the entire group, one carload at a time, to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (http://www.mbayaq.org/). While waiting for a ride, groups that remained at the church played a football game in the parking lot.

When the entire group was assembled, an aquarium guide took us up to a research lab for an hour long class entitled “From Stingers to Spines.” In this class, students had the opportunity to handle many sea creatures including starfish, abalone, hermit crabs and moon snails. Students put food in the animals’ aquariums and watched them react to it. Students were required to sketch several sea creatures in their journals, list facts about them and describe how they reacted to stimuli such as food.

After completing the class, the group was excused. Small groups of students walked with chaperones to nearby restaurants. Several groups visited Carl’s Jr. Although slightly more expensive than McDonald’s, the hamburgers were much better. After eating, groups walked along the Pacific Grove waterfront to the Hopkins Marine Station
of Stanford University (http://hms.stanford.edu/). On the marine station beach, students had a chance to witness a large resident group of harbor seals. Students pointed out several small harbor seal pups. The group then walked back to Cannery Row (http://www.monterey.org/museum/canneryrow/), the area captured by John Steinbeck in his famous novel by the same name.

At approximately 1:30 PM, all Adventure Ed groups gathered, once again, in the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s research lab. The group was met by two scientists from the Sea Otter Research and Conservation Program (http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/efc_otter/otter_resources.asp). The two scientists introduced students to the fascinating world of sea otters. The scientists talked about the current sea otter population in Monterey Bay and how they are monitoring their numbers. The conservation program has been working hard to boost the numbers of sea otters in Monterey Bay. After hearing the scientists present information, Adventure Ed students walked outside to the aquarium viewing deck and used high tech equipment to spot sea otters in the immediate area.

At about 2:30 PM, students and chaperones were allowed to explore the aquarium. Some highlights included the kelp forest (http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/kelp.asp), sharks and rays (http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/sharks.asp) and the jellyfish exhibit (http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/efc_se/se_jla.asp).

Langley Middle School Adventure Ed would like to thank Scott Stratton and the Monterey Bay Aquarium for allowing our entire group to experience a world-class aquarium free of charge. Your generosity made for an amazing educational experience that both students and chaperones will never forget.

After exploring the aquarium, Adventure Ed students walked to the Monterey Public Library to escape into a book before walking on to St. Timothy Lutheran Church.

California Trip - April 9, 2006

Students woke early, ate breakfast and worked on their journals. Many students were running low on cash, and the group liked the idea of selling lemonade on the Monterey waterfront to help recoup their losses. Posters and donation boxes were constructed out of cardboard. At approximately 10:00 AM, the group wrapped themselves in the yellow emergency blankets that the Cachagua Fire Department (http://www.cachaguafire.com) had given them and embarked on a two-mile trek to the waterfront. The group found a spot by a large fountain in the middle of Monterey State Historic Park. This ideal location was short-lived. The group was told that a permit was needed for the area. Students found an available area outside a Wells Fargo Bank a few blocks to the south. The lemonade business was lukewarm at the new location. The rain began to fall with regularity. Students took a quick break in a Taco Bell located close to the lemonade stand. Inexpensive meals were purchased. Students then went back to St. Timothy Lutheran Church for games or walked to the Monterey Public Library. Later, all met at the church for dinner and a movie.

California Trip - April 8, 2006

After waking, students were told that they would be without Mr. Daley and Mr. Bergquist, as they would be heading back up to Big Pines camp to pick up forgotten items. The two chaperones began their roundtrip hike at noon and finished at approximately 7:30 PM. Students were happy to recover their lost items.

In the morning, students were assigned chaperones and were expected to help with various work crews in and around the church. Mr. Scoles invited his group to help him change a leaky faucet in the church’s downstairs kitchen. Mr. Snelling’s group cleaned the bathroom and mopped the floor. The work that was completed did not compensate for the church’s generosity, but it helped to show our gratitude in a small way.

After working, students left with their respected chaperones to explore Monterey. Many students visited Colton Hall (http://www.monterey.org/museum/) where a guide spoke to them about California statehood. It was in this hall that the constitution of California was drafted. Many official documents were on display. Next, students visited the original jail of Monterey (http://www.monterey.org/museum/jail.html) and the Old Monterey Chapel, both located near Colton Hall.

Adventure Ed students then caught MST bus number one to Pacific Grove, located in northwest Monterey. There the group visited Los Pinos Lighthouse (http://www.pgmuseum.org/Lighthouse.htm), one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the country. The students then walked to Lover’s Point. At the beach, students explored tide pools loaded with hermit crabs, sea anemones and small fish. Past the tide pools, students discovered several large rocks that they enjoyed climbing on. After exploring Lover’s Point, the group caught the bus to downtown, prepared to walk back to the church.

After a full day of exploration, the group reconvened at St. Timothy Lutheran. The group boiled water and ate their freeze-dried dinners as a cost saving measure.

California Trip - April 7, 2006

After waking up at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, the Adventure Ed group walked to the Monterey Public Library. Students and chaperones had a chance to escape into a good book. Many students took advantage of the free internet access offered at the library. Ms. Brereton, a parent chaperone, and Mr. Snelling had made ham and baloney sandwiches at the church. Everyone enjoyed eating them on the sunny library deck. At approximately 1:00 PM, the group walked to the Monterey Sports Center (http://www.monterey.org/sportscenter/). The students spent the better part of the day swimming, sliding down the water slide, playing basketball and enjoying fierce ping-pong battles. At around 6:00 PM, students took a break from all the activities and walked to the local McDonald’s. Because everyone was on a tight budget, the “Dollar Menu” items were favored. After eating, the Adventure Ed group walked back to the sports center for more activities. Everyone enjoyed hot showers. At approximately 9:00 PM, students hiked back to St. Timothy Lutheran. Students were becoming accustomed to being active on the trip.

California Trip - April 6, 2006

The weather in the Ventana Wilderness was too unpredictable. The group’s focus shifted to exploring Monterey and the surrounding area. The students awoke early and prepared to find out what Monterey had to offer for the days ahead. The majority of the group hiked to the Monterey Harbor (http://www.monterey.org/harbor/) and stopped in at the Harbormaster building. Maps were provided as well as tips on where to go and what to see in Monterey. The group was told that people under sixteen years of age could fish without a permit. This was good news to many in the class. Several students tried their hand at fishing off the Municipal Wharf (http://www.monterey.org/harbor/wharf2.html) near the Harbormaster building.

After lunch, the group took advantage of the warm, sunny skies and played a game of “Ultimate Frisbee” at the Monterey Bay Park. The game drew the attention of a local television network. The pair of journalists were out to capture people enjoying a rare, sunny day in Monterey. Students in the group told them that they had spent the night before in the sleet at Big Pines camp. The television crew was delighted at their luck, and for the next hour the cameras rolled. Extensive footage was taken of the Frisbee game. The news crew then began interviewing individuals. The group was willing to comply.

After the interviews were over, the group walked to the Monterey Sports Center (http://www.monterey.org/sportscenter/). The group was very impressed with the facility and decided to spend a large portion of the following day there. The Adventure Ed class was able to take advantage of a reduced rate of $3.00 per person for the entire day!

After stopping at the Monterey Sports Center, the group walked to a public park on the banks of Lake El Estero (http://www.mtycounty.com/pgs-parks/parks-mty/estro.html). Students saw fishermen with their limit of five Dolly Varden and decided to try their hand. According to one local, the lake had just been stocked. The Frisbee was taken out and a “Flyers Up” game started. Another part of the group, who had visited the mall, joined the majority of the group at this time.

Because the group would be swimming at the sports center the next day, the class walked several miles to the local Goodwill. Many purchased $3.00 swimsuits. The group then walked back to St. Timothy Lutheran and enjoyed the lasagna and salad that the church provided. The entire group was very thankful for their generosity.

California Trip - April 4 - 5, 2006

Adventure Ed students caught the Carmel Valley school bus from St. Timothy Lutheran Church to Los Padres Dam. The group experienced sun and rain on the bus ride in. It started raining when the group reached the area of the dam. Students pulled out umbrellas and put on ponchos.

The group began the hike to Big Pines camp. Everyone experienced rainy conditions throughout the day with short breaks of sun. Andrea fell and cut her knee shortly after we began the hike. The group stopped and made a shelter with umbrellas. Mr. Scoles and Mr. Snelling, both chaperones on the trip, treated Andrea’s cut. The small cut was treated with antibiotic ointment and a bandage. The group headed up the trail. Students climbed a switchback trail to the top of Blue Rock Ridge. Hikers had to beware of poison oak during this portion of the trail. Raymo put his leggings on shortly after beginning this portion of the trail. Raymo was the only student to experience the effects of poison oak during the trip. Students stayed with adult chaperones throughout the hike. Breaks were taken at regular intervals. Students were encouraged to eat and drink frequently.

Three students, who were hiking with Mr. Snelling, made camp early. These students were Raymo, who was recovering from the flu, Stephan and Guy. The group used a combination of sleeping pads, sleeping bags, tarps and tube tents to make their camp. Mr. Snelling radioed ahead and told the other chaperones that he was pitching camp early.

At 4:00 PM the other sixteen students and chaperones arrived at Big Pines camp. It was not raining at the time of arrival. Mr. Bergquist set up tube tents. Many students had wet clothes. Students were told to change wet clothing and climb into sleeping bags inside their tube tents. After students were settled, Mr. Lars Bergquist and Mr. Scoles left Big Pines camp to help Mr. Snelling set up camp below. At about 4:30 PM it began to rain at Big Pines camp. This rain continued until 6:00 PM when the rain turned to sleet. The precipitation alternated between rain and sleet throughout the night with occasional breaks. Mr. Bergquist and Mr. Lars Bergquist checked in with students throughout the night. At 4:00 AM, Mr. Bergquist told students that they would be heading back down the trail at daybreak. At approximately 7:00 AM, Mr. Bergquist told students to get dressed, pack their bags and get ready to go.

The group spent approximately four hours in route to the dam, which included breaks for water and food. As forecast, the day was mild with many sun breaks, which the students stopped to enjoy. The Cachagua Fire Department (http://www.cachaguafire.com) met the group at the trailhead. The hikers were pleasantly surprised to see them. They were a marvelous group of people who supplied the Adventure Ed group with dry clothes, hot beverages and soup.

The Carmel Valley school bus took the Adventure Ed group back to Monterey’s St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Students took wet, dirty clothes to the Laundromat across the street from the church. There the students met two twins, Ellen and Elaine, who the whole group would get to know as being extremely caring individuals. The “Laundry Twins” provided the class with extra time at the Laundromat, food and well wishes for the remainder of the trip.

California Trip - April 3, 2006

Students woke early in the morning on the train. Many ate breakfast in the dining car. The viewing car was a popular spot during the entire trip. Students enjoyed peering out the large picture windows. The game “Pass the Pigs” was an unexpected highlight. The train arrived at Salinas train station at approximately 5:30 PM. The train had lost about six hours during the trip. Time was lost due to heavy freight on the lines. After exiting from the train, students walked about four blocks to the Salinas Transit Center. The Adventure Ed class caught the Monterey/Salinas Transit (MST) route number 20 to Monterey Transit Plaza. From the transit plaza, the group walked approximately one-and-a-half miles to St. Timothy Lutheran Church (http://www.sttim.org/). After checking into the church, students practiced using their emergency stoves to boil water for their freeze-dried dinners. After cleanup, the group unrolled their sleeping pads, crawled in their sleeping bags and went to sleep.

California Trip - April 2, 2006

Adventure Ed students woke up at 6:00 AM in the Langley Middle School Library. After cleaning up, everyone boarded the bus. The group then caught the 7:30 AM ferryboat bound for Mukilteo. We arrived at King Street Station (http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/seattle/s31.htm) in Seattle at approximately 9:00 AM. The train was delayed so students and chaperones had the opportunity to explore the Pioneer Square Area. Mr. Lars Bergquist, a Seattle Public schoolteacher and chaperone on the trip, led students to Occidental Park (http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/parkspaces/occident.htm). This historic park proved to be a high interest area where students were eager to snap off several pictures. The Adventure Ed class boarded the Coast Starlight train and left Seattle at approximately 11:20 AM bound for Salinas, California. Students busied themselves on the train by working on math homework, socializing with friends and enjoying the scenery of the west coast. That night, students slept in the overhead luggage racks as well as across and under their assigned seats.

California Trip – April 1, 2006

Adventure Ed students spent April Fool’s evening in the Langley Middle School Library. Students arrived at 8:00 PM with all of their gear packed for the trip. Mr. Bergquist and Mr. Snelling checked bags for several hours. Students kept busy by working on homework assignments, watching a movie or socializing with friends in the class. When told it was time for bed, students took out their sleeping bags, grabbed couch pillows and unrolled their sleeping pads in an attempt to get a few hours sleep.

Emergency Stove Practice - March 24, 2006

Today the Adventure Ed class ventured out to the football field to practice using their emergency stoves. Each student used a solid fuel tablet and a Sierra cup to successfully boil water. This activity will make food preparation easier in California.

Pipeline Team Building Activity - March 20, 2006

Today, Adventure Ed walked down to Langley Marina. On the way down, Raymo and Katelyn spotted a whale swimming down Saratoga Passage. Each Adventure Ed. student witnessed the whale spout twice. The activity for the day centered around team building. Students split into two groups and were given a piece of pipe. Their group goal was to create a pipeline that would allow a marble to pass over all the pieces of pipe and down into a small bucket. Each group completed the task. In the reflection meeting that followed the activity, Guy stated that working as a team will be important for a successful California trip.

Human Knot Team Building Activity - February 23, 2006

Human Knot Activity

Adventure Ed took at walk down to Langley Marina today. The focus for the day was "Team Building." Students were split into small groups. They then formed a circle and took the hand of two different people in the group. In this way, they formed a human knot. Groups worked for twenty-five minutes in an attempt to untie themselves and form a normal circle. Throughout the entire activity, students were very respectful to each other. Developing respectful communication amongst group members is one class focus in Adventure Ed.

Glacier Trip - South Whidbey Record Article

Braving the Mountain: Langley Middle Schoolers go on a Winter Wilderness Adventure

By GAYLE SARAN
Feb 01 2006

Nineteen seventh-graders from Langley Middle School headed east to Montana last month for a wilderness adventure that included building snow caves, trekking through snow wearing snowshoes and dining on wild elk.

After the four-day trip to Glacier National Park aboard Amtrak, the seventh-grade Adventure Education students agree it is their favorite class, and Nels Bergquist is definitely one of their favorite teachers. Bergquist and several adults accompanied the students on the trip in January.

The students stayed at the park and took classes about wildlife in winter, fire ecology and snow science taught by staff at the Big Creek Outdoor Education center.
Students attended two three-hour classes per day.

“The better part of each day was spent outdoors on snowshoes,” Bergquist said.
As part of the snow science class, the students built snow caves or “quinzhees,” and learned about wilderness survival.

“That night about 80 percent of the 19 started the night in the quinzhee, only two students slept all night in their caves. The cold sent the others back to their cabins about 3 a.m.,” Bergquist said.

The two students who toughed out the below freezing temperatures were Robert Martin and Olin Bergquist.

Robert Martin, Langley Middle School 7th-grader, learns about the insulating warmth of snow. Martin and Olin Bergquist were the only two students to brave the freezing temperatures to sleep all night in a snow cave, or quinzhee. 

“They actually braved the subfreezing Montana temperatures,” Bergquist said.
Although most students didn’t sleep all night in their caves, an important part of the class was actually building one.

“My favorite part of the entire trip was building the snow cave. When it was finished it was a good feeling of accomplishment,” said Seth Sobottka.

“You have to build it right or else it won’t provide shelter from the cold,” he said.
“I liked the snowshoeing, too. It was hard at first, but walking above the snow kept our feet warm,” Sobottka added.

Kelsey Taylor agreed that building the quinzhee was the most fun.
But she learned something else.

“I can take care of myself in the wilderness,” Taylor said.

Just as important as the science on this trip was the social learning. Students had to get along and function as a group.

“We did group challenges that were hard, but they turned out fun,” Sobottka said.
They were even served elk that one of the instructors at the center had shot with a bow and arrow.

“I liked it. It tasted better than steak,” Sobottka said.

“Overall, I thought the trip was a great experience,” he said.

On Jan. 9, the students and chaperones headed for Glacier National Park aboard an Amtrak train. They boarded the train in Everett and pulled out about 6 p.m., arriving at West Glacier at 8:30 a.m. the next morning. The trip back was a reverse, boarding in the evening at West Glacier and arriving at 9:30 a.m. in Everett on Friday, Jan. 13. They finished the day back at LMS.

“Train travel was a new experience for most students. The dining car was kept busy with groups of students taking advantage of hot meals,” Bergquist said. “Students used the tables in the sleeping car to finish homework assignments for their math and English classes.”

“They entertained themselves by socializing, viewing the snow-covered landscape, playing cards and listening to their iPods, and even watching portable DVD players,” Bergquist said.

Sleeping on the train was a challenge.

Students had to get creative in an attempt to catch some winks. They took out sleeping bags and pillows and tried to sleep in reclined seats, on the floor or across several seats.
“There was very little sleep on the way to Glacier. I think they were too excited. But it was a different story on the way home though,” Bergquist said.

“Students just stretched out everywhere and slept. I think they were dog tired from the adventure,” their teacher said.

It’s not the first big outdoor adventure for the class. This class also traveled to Olympic National Park last semester.

And this spring, Bergquist is taking another Adventure Education class on a backpacking trip to the Los Padres National Forest.

The Adventure Education program was founded in 1992 by LMS teachers Chris Burt and Charlie Davies, who both shared a passion for sailing. Previous classes have taken sailing trips that included camping in the San Juan Islands.

The trips are funded by the parents and students.

“I credit the parents’ desire to send their children on theses wilderness trips. They are really supportive,” Bergquist said.

“But we could use some donations. We need new equipment for the program in the worst way,” Bergquist said.

---

© Copyright 2006 South Whidbey Record

Adventure Ed Funding Request

Langley Middle School Adventure Education Program
South Whidbey School District
Langley, Washington
November 23, 2005

To Whom It May Concern:

The Adventure Education Program at Langley Middle School is now about 12 years old; about the age of the kids in the class. It is a small enterprise (first one elective class of 13/14 year old girls and boys then for some years two classes with the addition of a 7th grade section and finally now just one class each semester again) with a long history and big aspirations. It is also at somewhat of a mid-life crisis due to budget constraints, personnel changes and a need for new worlds to conquer.

The program started as a single 8th grade semester class in which a 5 day sailing/kayak/camping trip was planned, executed and documented by students under the guidance of one instructor and one staff member assistant. Typically there was a Fall and a Spring trip each followed by reflection/documentation activities like video creation, slide shows and various presentations to a parents and friends night. The program has served approximately 600 students over the years and was nurtured by two staff members who have now moved on to other things. New people have stepped forward are looking to evolve the program.

The idea behind Adventure Ed. has always been to create an experience of the outdoors that will inspire a sense of wonder and even joy which in turn will form the foundation of future academic interest and excellence. How will kids learn to care about the natural world if they have little direct experience in that world? School bound study is not enough to stimulate a thirst for understanding; Adventure Education and programs like it strive to put the horse back in front of the cart as regards motivation and learning.

Support from our district has been steady but not deep. The program has been allowed to continue but not to thrive; it is exists as a perennial pilot program, a nod to an idea, far from an embrace. Nevertheless our district is something of a pioneer in this area relative to most public school administrations.

Expeditions up to this point have relied on the generosity of individual community people for material support. These sources are reaching exhaustion and were never meant to sustain the program indefinitely. To take this project forward we need a chance to inject new excitement and, well, adventure, into Adventure Education in the hope of gaining acceptance and recognition of the basic idea as profoundly important to development of middle school students.

Sincerely,

Charles Snelling

Day Three - Building the Snow Quinzhees - January 11, 2006

Today when I woke up I was so tired. I heard the breakfast bell ring and headed over to the dinning hall. I stepped outside and just about froze to death! For breakfast we had eggs, hash browns, and English muffins. After breakfast my clean up group was assigned to clean up duty, so we had to do dishes and clean off the tables. When we were all done with the torture I went over to get ready for the day. We went on a snowshoeing hike and it was pretty fun but it made your feet feel really heavy. Later when we got back we had lunch, sandwiches again! Then we had another class. We learned about fire ecology and it was really interesting because all the trees around us had been torched by a huge forest fire. Also after the snowshoeing hike we started to build the snow quinzhees. They had to be 5 feet tall and when you dug them out it had to be 12 inches on the bottom and 8 inches on the top. Then later we got a little bit of free time and I watched a movie while everyone else was out digging out the quinzhees. Finally it was time for dinner. We had homemade pizza and salad. It was quite good. During part of the dinner Mr. B was outside digging out the rest of the quinzhees. After dinner we played Jeopardy on all the stuff that we had learned and that was fun. For dessert we got popcorn and everyone pigged out. Most all the girls after the game and dessert were fighting about who got to sleep in the snow shelters. But finally we just said who cares and we all slept outside in the snow and let the boys sleep in the snow shelter. I woke up in the morning around 3:00 am and was covered in snow, so we all went inside to sleep.

By Shayna

Day One - The Train Trip to Glacier National Park - January 9, 2006

When we got to the train station it was around 4:10 and we found out that our train didn't leave till 5:45. None of us knew that we were getting there so early! So all of us sat in the station for what seemed to be forever. While we waited for the train all we could do was buy stuff from the coffee place and sit on the stairs. Tabitha and I were really bored so we went to the coffee place and bought some Italian sodas that had no flavor and were really gross. At around 5:35 everyone was starting to think that the train was going to be late when suddenly the train pulled up! We all abruptly grabbed our bags, which were all overly packed, and loaded the train. The train was two stories tall, but was surprisingly short. I was so amazed when I walked up the stairs; there were so many seats and it was really nice. For the whole night we watched movies and saw how many people could fit in one seat. One of the movies we watched was WAR OF THE WORLDS, and we also watched a bunch of other movies. The most people we could fit in one seat were five: me, Tabitha, Laurie, Conner and Kaylea. I stayed up till about 1:00 am but some people stayed up all night on the train.

By Alissa

Trail Clearing - Letter to the Intermediate School

To the Intermediate School Staff-

On behalf of Mr. Bergquist’s 7th grade Adventure Education Class, I would like to thank the Intermediate School for their cooperation with our Service-Learning project. On December 17th, members of the class participated in a trail restoration project behind the Intermediate School, not only benefiting the community, but increasing their knowledge of the watershed as well. This project was executed in conjunction with Maxwelton Salmon Adventure, a local organization working for watershed restoration and awareness. The Service-Learning activities that took place behind the Intermediate School not only served as a supplement of knowledge for the students participating, but also greatly contributed to the Intermediate Schools facilities, providing accessible trails for classes and members of the community.

The class was separated into three main work groups known as “The Shinglers”, “The Rakers”, and “The Pruners”. The previous day they were prepared with an in-class lecture from a representative from Maxwelton Salmon Adventure, which enabled them to immediately begin trail work at 10:15 am. The first group, known as “The Rakers”, cleared several trails, such as “Lizard Loop”, “Elderberry Hollow”, and “Mass Turnpike”, which in turn made them wheelchair accessible. The second group, known as “The Pruners”, restored heavily overgrown trails. They cleared a path known as “Alderwood Tunnel”, which led to the Bird Blind, which was previously inaccessible to students. The final group, known as “The Shinglers”, attached shingles onto “Troll Bridge”, making the structure less slippery.

The community service provided through this Service-Learning project is significant, as is the hands on experience the students received. The Adventure Education Class repaired a system of trails for the community, enabling it to be used by students from the Intermediate School for immersion in nature. In addition to this they also were given the opportunity to apply their previous knowledge of the watershed to real-life experience. Projects like these not only benefit the community, but also the academic process as a whole. The Adventure Education Class would like to thank the Intermediate School for this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Scott Daley

New Blog!

Welcome to the new Blog for Langley Middle School Adventure Education! This is a work in progress. Check back frequently for updates.

Mr. Bergquist
LMS Adventure Education Teacher