Last Day & last post

Friday was our last day at Camp Huntington. When we awoke we went to our last breakfast. After that we met to present our projects - which I must say went very well - better than myself and the other girls thought they would. After that we had our last lunch together. Unfortunately Amanda had to leave earlier to get to a wedding so she was unable to have one last final lunch - not to mention we got to eat in the glass dining room looking out over the lake! It was stunning!!! Once lunch was finished we had to clean up the rooms and buildings that we used - which really wasn't that hard considering us four girls only stayed in one room! 

It was time to head back to Antlers and leave. We were all saying goodbye and it was really neat to see that no one really wanted to leave! We all had such a great time and I cannot wait to come back and hike again! That I must say was my favorite part of the trip. 

I really do not think I would change a thing about this class. It was well created and I can truly say that I have learned a lot. 

I am eager and excited to take the things I have learned about the gorgeous Adirondacks and use them in my future classroom. I am also eager to share the things that I have learned and spread the ideas of how we as professional educators can create more actively engaged and hands on learning. We talked so much about how important it is in getting your students more involved in their own learning. Doing your research and standing up for what you believe is right and fighting for your students - fighting for what you believe will be most beneficial to their future is what separates an average teacher to an expert, professional teacher. 

Wrapping up my stay at the Adirondacks - I can simply say this - amazing! I will never forget this experience and I hope to some day come back and give back to keep it as beautiful as it is! 

X

Day 4

Day 4

Today was hike day! We started out exploring the bog. This was really cool because I had never seen one quite this large before. We then went to Black Bear Mountain with the Master's teachers and it really could not have been a more perfect day. It was a long trek up a trail that led us to the lower peak of black bear mountain. Once we got to the top, I was so proud of myself because I had never done anything like it before - nor have I seen anything like it before either! It was simply amazing. We ate lunch and then a couple of us continued on to the high peak of the mountain. Again, just a breathtaking view. I felt like I was on top of the world. Once we started back down, I had realized that going up was my favorite part. 

Once we reached the bottom, a couple of ha drive into the town of Inlet to get some ice cream - thanks to my professor, Beth and her husband Karl! They truly were amazing this week and I have learned so much and have experienced so much from them. From kayaking 5 miles to even going into the water up to my shins - hey, baby steps! 

At the end of the night we went to a small concert at the church and saw a band play called String Bee. It was a really neat one hour show. My favorite song was a Scottish one that one of the members of the bands daughters showed them. It was a great way to end the night. OH YEAH - we also had another awesome fire!

I am also so glad I got to spend this time with three amazing girls. Kayla, Amanda, and Meghan. I had taken a class with Meghan and Amanda before, but we had never been together this long before. And we had never met Kayla before, but she fit right in with us and we is a really great person. We all got along so well that we slept in the same room with the two bunk beds and left two other full rooms empty. I can truly say that this friendship between us four will last forever. 

I think this trip/class has really given myself the opportunity to explore and have more fun outdoors. 

Thanks so much Beth and Karl! You ROCK! :)

Much love always! It was a great week. 

Day 3

Day 3

Today we went to the Wild Life Center and the Adirondack Museum.  I really enjoyed them both and learned a lot.  We were able to see real otters and pet turtles!  It was a lot of fun.  When we went to the museum - my favorite part was being able to walk through an old train. When we got back to Raquette Lake we took the boat back over to Camp Huntington.  We then had dinner, which was phenomenal, and finished watching a video on the history of the Adirondacks and talked a little bit about our projects that we are going to be completing while here.

Later, Meghan, Kayla and I went into the sauna with Andy, Travis, and Ron.  It was so HOT!  Once we got out I actually got into the lake! (ok, so it was only up to my shins but I still did it!)  After the sauna we went down to the camp fire and had some s'mores and were able to look through a really high tech telescope and saw Saturn!  AMAZING!  You could really see the rings around it!  Astronomy is so cool! :)

Welllllllll, that is all for tonight.  I am yet again exhausted, but a good exhausted!

Tooooodleooooooo.

Day 2

Day 2

Today I faced a pretty big fear of mine; water!  Yes, I am afraid of water.  Or I should say water that you cannot see the bottom in.  I can swim in pools and relax in a hot tub, but that is pretty much it.  Anyways, we went kayaking for about two hours and traveled about 4-5 miles!  I was extremely impressed with myself.  My arms are not so excited right now and will most likely be quite sore come tomorrow however, it was a great accomplishment for myself.

The NYS Master's Teacher's came today so it was quite a bit more lively on Camp Huntington than it was yesterday.  They are all really nice and a lot of them were from the area I am from and know people that I know. i.e. - my fifth grade teacher's husband is here! SO COOL!

Well, I really could write all night, but like I said earlier - these arms (hands included) are exhausted.

Until tomorrow!
Goodnight moon.

Day 1

Day 1:

Arrival day was quickly underway when I arrived with Meghan and Amanda.  It was raining the whole ride there until we got to the main lodge awaiting for our boat ride across the lake.  One other person was in our group.  Her name was Kayla.  She came alone and we quickly welcomed her.  When we arrived onto the peninsula we headed straight to our "dorm" for the week.  There were three bedrooms with two bunk-beds in each room.  Two people could room while the other two could have their own room if they wanted.  We all looked at each other once we arrived to the rooms and quickly decided on room together in one room.  It was like having our very own slumber party!

We then met as a whole group on Huntington Camp for our orientation where we then headed off to lunch.  Dining was something that I am quite used to.  There is one meal and you were to help set up and clean up, including doing the dishes, before and after each meal.  After lunch, we watched a video that talked about the history of Raquette Lake and went on a hiking trip.  After the hiking trip we had time to ourselves to work on our project (up and coming details on this in later blog posts!), catch up on some reading, or take a nap.  I chose to take a nap (hey, it was a long day).

Next was dinner.  The same routine in place.  Set up, eat your meal, clean up.  After dinner we all met in the classroom again and talked about our pre-course essays that we had to write in relation to the Adirondack Mountains and how we would incorporate them into our professional philosophies and objectives.  We also talked a little about the book we were to read prior to coming for the week.  This book was called Adirondack Green by John Slade.  SUCH A GOOD READ, I STRONGLY SUGGEST IT! :)

After our class meeting we all met for a fire by the lake.  It was beautiful and a great way to end a great day!  I can honestly say that I am eager for the next adventures.  Stay tuned - more to come!!

Goodnight for now! Sleep tight........don't let the mouse bite????