I had the pleasure of joining our sixth grade class at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning
Center early in October. Jane Batcheller and Judy Roe along with Jim Schrankler and
many parents were so organized that I was able to simply join in and enjoy the getting to
know the kids. I arrived just as a soggy group of kids returned from the adventure ropes
course. It had been raining all day but their spirits were as high as the ropes they had just
traversed. We had an enjoyable evening that included games, crafts, and a sing-a-long.
It ended with a program that highlighted the history of the people living around Lake
Superior. The kids went to bed quickly and happily.
On Wednesday morning, the sun returned and we could see brilliant orange maple trees
through our dormitory windows. After breakfast, which was expertly served by the kids
on KP duty, I joined the geology group. We began in a classroom with a lesson on rock
formation and ended with a long hike to Marshall Mountain. I don’t know who was more
impressed by the students’ knowledge, the geology graduate student leading the class, the
parent chaperones, or me. At one point we asked, “How do you know all of this
information?” The kids quickly finished each other’s statements as they described their
geological learning experiences throughout their years in science class at SAP.
Later that day, I joined a group who hiked to an overlook above Lake Superior. In the
middle of our hike we stopped at a campsite to create impromptu skits, which were based
on the stories of the previous evening’s program. The students eagerly put on accents and
portrayed personalities of Voyagers, loggers and miners. In the adults’ skit Judy Roe
became a tree and one of the parent chaperones and I sawed her down and prepared to
send her down river! Great fun!
The parent chaperones were an essential element to the success of the trip and we are
very grateful for all that they did. They kept the kids safe and made sure that each child’s
experience at Wolf Ridge was educational and joyful. Only a dozen or so parents get to
join in, and but the entire school community participates in making this capstone
adventure possible for our kids. In a way the week at Wolf Ridge is our capstone too.
Our achievement as a school community is clearly demonstrated by the successful week
at Wolf Ridge. And I must say, we are terrific! I am happy to be part of this we.