Nature's Classroom
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Nature's Classroom
Has anyone's kids gone on this? Every year the 6th Grade class in my town goes for a week. It's basically a 5 day educational camping trip. DS (Gr. 6) is apprehensive. Of course, I have the usual motherly worries because he has never been away from home that long, on top of worrying about his severe food allergies, but I've been assured everything will be OK. That said, I think DS will have a blast. I'm predicting DD (9) will be sad without her big brother, even though they don't get along well at times.
Nature's Classroom
Alec is going to something very similar. His is called Outdoor Science Camp and he will be gone for five days in October. He can't wait! He's been looking forward to the trip for several years. Our sixth graders (9 of them, LOL) will be going with the other two small schools in the area, so it will be a pretty small group of kids attending.
T will have a great time. I am sure the staff has experience with his type of allergies and, of course, T is so careful as well. He will have a great time!
Wow, have fun! We don't do anything like that, around here! There is nothing that would stay overnight, except for band trips!
We do have a cool nature park, near us, and I haven't been to it, in a long time, because no one has been on a field trip to it, in a long time. I really need to go, especially with colors getting rather pretty around here!
My kids are too little still, but my husband has told me about doing this when he was in school. Shhh- don't tell him I'm telling you this, but he told me a story about how they went on a hike and he saw a little snake in the woods. The teacher assured everyone that it was a harmless snake, but he was still scared. The next time they were supposed to go on a hike, he faked a sprained ankle... He is still just as terrified of snakes today!
But other than that, he loved it. He can't believe that my school didn't do it!
Dd went last year (in 6th grade also). I was nervous about it, so I made dh go as a counselor. Our kids only went for two nights. They left Wednesday morning and came home Friday afternoon. Dd can be shy and nervous about things, but she had a BLAST. She wished it would have lasted longer. Along with teachers and parents, they have a fantastic staff and we had to fill out tons of forms about medical conditions, medications, allergies and other things. I think they are on the ball about everything. Any chance your dh could go to help you feel more comfortable?
Yes, I just turned in all the medical paper work this morning. A PITB but I'm glad they're being so thorough.
No, DH will not be able to take time off from work. Even so, this is not something he would willingly sign up for. HATES camping or working with lots of kids. He's a super Dad, just not teacher material. LOL! I thought about going, but who would take care of DD and drive her to soccer, etc.? Besides the fact that I would have to stay in a girls cabin, so that defeats the purpose. I have been told I can visit and chaperone for a day if I wish. Since the kids are not allowed phone privileges unless absolutely necessary, I may go for a visit mid week just to see how DS is doing. Yet then again, I might not. I have been assured by the camp staff and parents who have had kids attend in the past that I will be called if DS is having a hard time. Part of this experience is to be AWAY from home. We'll see. I'm sure I'll get more nervous when it gets closer. (Oct. 22-26)
Honestly, I wouldn't go mid week if I were you. This will be a fantastic experience for him especially if he isn't used to being away from home. He will gain so much confidence. If he is having even a little bit of a hard time and you show up, I think that will make it worse. If he is just miserable, I am sure they will call you. If he is just having a little bit of a rough time and he makes it through the week, he will be sooo proud of himself.... just my opinion that you didn't ask for. LOL
Also, dh could pretty much do what he wanted all day. The staff pretty much ran the camp dd went to. He could go to any classes he wanted etc. He was only assigned kids in the cabins and at meal time he had a table. Other than that, he could do what he wanted. He went to some classes with dd, but sometimes the parents also stayed in the chow hall and played Texas hold em. LOL He wasn't responsible for teaching the kids anything. He was the one in the cabins with them though. The teachers had their own cabins and that must have been their "time off" because they didn't have any kids at night. All the camps might not be ran the same though.... The one dd went to was a true cabin and had heat and showers etc. Not exactly and "rough" as camping can be in tents etc.
I went to something similar when I was in 6th grade. You know, cough, cough, ten years ago, cough. (Okay, okay, more like twenty. lol)
Anyway, it was a great experience for me. I loved it.
I also got to go to one about 5 years ago, with students from my 5th grade classroom. A lot of parents did not want their kids to go. We happened to have lucked out because another school that got chosen could not go so we were next, somehow. Anyway, you'd be amazed at how the kids change. They loved it. They'd see me and say "hi, Miss K. Oh, gotta go." And they were off to do something with their group leaders.
No one needed their parents, or their teachers for that matter. And if anything happened, the staff took care of it.
Hope this helps.
Trina, I've heard of it and think it's a fantastic opportunity for kids.
I understand your medical concerns due to T's allergies, etc., and I understand T's anxiety as well.
But I believe, as Melanie said, they are equipped and prepared to handle any emergencies and to prevent many as well. That said, I'd not only let him go, I'd encourage him, attempt to calm his *fears*, and let him fly a little. That's the hardest part, isn't it? When J & J were each in 6th grade, they had a field trip in the spring to DC and NY - it was for the week, and the only time they'd ever been away from home for more than one night was with their dad, so I was a nervous wreck the first time.
But it was SUCH a great experience for them, it gives them some much needed independence, broadens their horizons, and IMO, is a necessary step in letting go/growing up. He'll have a great time and you WILL survive it, I promise! You could get some great girl-time in with B that week, too!
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