Outdoor Education 2007

SMS 6th graders experience outdoor education

by Cami Prochnow

September 26, 2007

On August 22-24, Seward Middle School sixth graders spent three fun filled learning days at camp Carol Joy Holling near Ashland for Outdoor Education. About 100 boys and girls worked together to unload all their gear before lunch and locate their cabins. After lunch the hands-on experiences started as the students began rotating to the various learning stations.

Our outdoor theme focused on the Native American culture which fulfilled the state requirement for multicultural education. Experiences included, a hike to learn about plants and animals, fishing, identifying various animal tracks, discovering living things in pond water, team building to encourage cooperation, building a campfire and cooking a meal, Native American face painting,examining owl pellets, making clay pocket wall hangings, and creating dream catchers.

The highlight of camp was a visit by Dallas Chief Eagle, a Lakota from South Dakota. He entertained and involved the students in hoop dancing which filled the indoor facility with many smiles and much laughter.

A thank you goes to the high school students who served as counselors, the middle school nurse, the teachers from SMS, and the camp facilitators. We are especially grateful to our sponsors who fund our Outdoor Education program so that each student pays only $20 for the three days. Our major sponsors are VFW, Cattle National Bank, Jones National Bank, Union Bank, and Wal-Mart. We greatly appreciate their support because each child and adult grows through this opportunity.