Reflecting.... 1.5 weeks later....

There have been so many times that I have thought to myself that I wish that I had the work environment like that of the Adirondack Classroom. I find that there were so many learning experiences that I was able to bring back with me, and think about, along with the boost in personal self confidence and spirit as well.

I think that the world that we live and work in is filled with the tedious, the budget issues and the politics that are easy to get caught in and lose sight of what we would like to do, and the full purpose of why we work with youth and people. My case and example is a family that I have that is focused on going to the State Fair for 4-H. The family does not seem to be interested in what is best for their young person, and why competing at the fair would not be a good idea for her. They want her to go, because they think that there is more prestige that goes with the fair, which is true, somewhat. However, the Danish judging system that 4-H uses says that she has done well for her age, but gives judges and adults the responsibility to look to the best interests of the child before allowing them to go on to a higher level of competition, where they might not be prepared for the level of expectation that exists.

Where I am going with this, is that as educators we have a resposibility and priviledge to work for the people that we teach, meaning that we should be looking for opportunities to better their learning experience, and look out for their needs, and advocate for what is best for their physical, social, and personal safety. When looking at an educational exoerience, we need to take the needs of the whole person into consideration when we make decisions about thir learning experience. Meaning, that someone that might have heart trouble may not be a good candidate for the ropes course and zipline, but might get some of the same results from hiking Bald Mountain. A person that is deathly afraid of heights might have a greater experience with whitewater rafting over rock climbing.
Because the Adirondacks has so much to offer in the way of experiential and Adventure educational experiences that can be tailored to the the individuals and the learning goals that are desired. Thinking outside of the box, and putting learners' experiences first is of the greatest importance, combined with the ethical, and scientific knowledge of the envornment can truly make for a generation that can make the world a better, healthier and sistainable place for generations to come.

This has been such a refreshing expoerience. Thank you.

Camp Huntington-Day 4

There are some things that cannot be replaicated in the classroom, and should be integrated into instruction as it is important to the experiential learning process, and that is ADVENTURE!! Yes, there is much of the classroom that is excitin, but adventure pushes the boundaries of what students think that learning is, into an experience that is more memorable and life changing. Think about it, in 10, 20, 30years, a student will not be able to remember what spelling word was wrong on a test, but they will remember going outside, and getting their hands dirty at a ropes course, or a scavenger hunt, or interschaolastic activity.

Experiences are things that we relate to and remember. The things that I remember about my educational experiences are seldom the experiences that were in the classroom, but those experiences that brought me outside, and gave me meaningful experiences that I keep with me, and think of often. This week, is one of those educational experiences.

While we cant have adventures every day, we can look to make education experiences memorable.

Camp Huntington-Day 4

There is so much that we take for granted as we make an experience for children in a given area. Meaning that if we live in one place, there are things that we expect to see, and that should be as it is.

A place that was beyond my wildest expectations was the WildCenter at Tupper Lake. The exhibits there were incredible and a real resource and a natural connection with the natural world. I was fond of the hands-on exhibits that are available. Not only is this fun, but it is real, and realtable to kids of all ages. This is fun, and incorporates learning that is appealing and fun. Thinking about the preparation and education that these professionals use to make these exhibits as wonderful as they are is great.

using local resources and the Adirondacks is a great thing that the Wild Center does so well and the opportunities that are available through museums and local resources is something that we might either not know about or not think about using it, and take this resource for granted.

Another intriguing thing was how adament that the staff at the Wildcenter was to continue with their learning and eagerly connecting with partnerships with classrooms in their area. The important job that educators that are not in the classroom is an important one that classroom teachers need to be aware of. They can offer the opportunities to take the resources and knowledge that they are very passionate about and help kids to connect with a greater community and make a real difference for the world. Opportunity knocks..... who will open the door. Not every opportunity looks as appealing as the Wild Center, but can be at least as rewarding. Don't take it for granted. If you don't use these wonderful resources, they may not be there in another year when you might like to use them.

Day 3 Take two

Challenge. The thought of bringing kids into the natural world, there are challenges that lie within the activity. When hiking today, it was challenging to try and stay with the group while trying to look at the natural wonders and learning opportunities through the activity. Meaning that some of us were so busy walking and trying to physically move through the forest, we were missing the important parts of why we are taking the hike. By concentrating on going through the motions of doing the activity, we are often missing the point of what we do. This is something that I am guilty of, and I am challenged to think about the activities that I organize and what the outcome really is.
I think that that I need to think more about the presentation that John Slade gave to us tonight.

I was intrigued with the Activity that Ed brought with the writing activity. The activity made us sit down, think and be absent from distraction to be in touch with nature, and write what it is seen, heard, and sensed. There is nothing that is wrong, it is just expression. Through free expression can breed confidence, and increased communication skills that can transfer throughout the curricula, and is a GREAT life skill. Wouldn’t it be great to have good communicators in class and in the community?

Camp Huntington-Day 3

Camp Huntington-Day 2

In talking about the goals and asperations that many of us have for this class, it is easy to see how the book Adirondack Green could be a dream of John Slade. While Slade's ideal that is spelled out in his book would be nearly impossible to put into practice, the thoughts that Slade had about connecting and creating community, along with embracing change for the greater good are things that more people need to look at.

It seems easy to do things the way that they have been done in the past, using the same methods, materials and ideas. The same thing is often comfortable and change is often risky and might have the chance of failure. Some have trouble with change, and embracing it with good spirits. Helping others to embrace positive change is a struggle that I have in my work, often over something that is seemingly simple and trivial. I am reminded that the change that we seek often has to be led, through an example and leadership. Often we, as people do not like to "go first", as we do not like to be in the center of attention if we fail. While failure stinks, it is through failure that learning happens, the true creation and science of "doing" takes place.

Back to Slade, we should think, and dream as those things help us in the creation of something that might be the perfect thing to inspire students and help them to care. Through our dreams and passion, others might take the risk to dare and dream as well. Through leadership, Your leadership, a spark may be lit in a child, that might change their world, and their perseception about the natural world that we are teaching about.

Something to think about...

Camp Huntington-Day One.

For all of you that are still in the modern world: I am here, and safe in the middle of nowhere.

On the note of being in the middle of nowhere, I am free from civilization, though I am in the midst of having my needs being more than met. I am one of the ground-breaking historical locations, and at the beginning of the rustic style. Meaning that we are staying in the place that is reflective of the artistry and the wealth that brought forth the development of the Adirondacks. The dedication, investment and natural artistry are incredible. Obviously, I am having electricity, we have running water, showers, and far more than I need here.

I also think that it is cool to be in a place where history happened, and someone created a materpiece, within God's masterpiece, the Adirondacks. Without the people that wanted to make the Adirondacks accessible, the Adirondacks would not be the place that it is today. It is humbling to be immersed in this groundbreaking place, and have the opportunity to learn and grow where great things have happened.

Some goals for this course would be to have the opportunity to discover resources and learning opportunities that I can share with the youth and the teachers that I work with in the realm of 4-H. Even though I am not in the classroom in the traditional sense, I am aware that the duties that I have are different from that of the traditional classroom teacher, but there are learning opportunities for kids, families and educators. I look forward to learning, growing, and connecting with other educators that I can learn more from.

Goodnight!