Grade Six Outdoor Ed 2022

Grade Six Outdoor Ed 2022

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND AFTER A TWO YEARS HIATUS
GRADE 6 OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMP 2022

Our annual (okay, not for two years due to Covid) Grade 6 camp to Hastings Lake was
another resounding success! On Monday, June 6 th we ventured deep into the woods 18
km west of Tofield to encounter nature, breathe fresh air and grow as individuals. The
students were amazing, the supervisors tremendous and the parent volunteers were
quite frankly, outstanding! Our camp was a huge success story; and a camp that each
and every camper will remember for the rest of his or her life. This year we had schools
from Edgerton, Irma, Hughenden, Paradise Valley and Wainwright Elementary. We had
a total of 97 students come to camp and enjoy everything that camp life has to offer.
Sometimes students and parents can get a reputation. Covid kids, been inside too long,
no resiliency, poor attitudes, parents don’t care. Well, one word, WRONG! I would like
to let our entire school community know that we had an incredible time at camp and it
was due to incredibly well-behaved students, fantastic supervisors both at the sessions,
and overnight supervisors and our amazing kitchen staff.
First, the students . . . they showed up from two years of canceled field trips, at home
learning, missing their classmates, personal distancing and a lot of time on electronics.
They lined up, got in their teams and tackled everything we threw at them. They
encouraged each other, smiled, avoided opting out, and brought their “A game” to camp.
They were go-getters and were totally spent by the end of the day. Why? Because they
kept going – found energy, persevered and finished their stations with strength and
tenacity.
Secondly, the supervisors. . . they show up , some early, some off the bus, and some
the night before. They come prepared to tackle 97 excited kids and to make this the
best camp experience a student could ever have. They were prepared, nails and
screws, paint for the birdhouses; kindling and bannock supplies; archery bows ready,
targets secured; gun safety targets cool and interesting; WOW – bringing guidance and
resiliency skill building; canoes portaged over to the bay; paddles and life jackets ready;
swimming pool, ears open for the wisdom of an Indigenous elder; drama skits organized
and compasses aligned for orienteering. It all comes together quickly and each group
heads to their prescribed stations. Introductions are made; instruction is given and then
let the students enjoy the moment. Breathing in fresh air and taking in the smells and
the noises of the great outdoors. A camp is not just a camp but a great, wilderness
awakening camp. The instructors bring their best. They want to connect, to make a
difference. They want to have the same amount of fun as the students who they are
instructing and who they are teaching something new for the first time. The supervisors
of the sessions take it to the next level. They are not just putting in time; they are truly
engaged in the process.
Another person giving back to her community is Brandi Fletcher who graciously gave up
her time away from her family to come and assist us at the camp nurse. She took her
job seriously and made sure all of the campers were looked after. First session, one
minor accident and out come the Band-Aids. This modeling of citizenship by our adults
helps to foster growth and development in all of our students.
What about the WHS Grade 10 Leadership Group. They arrived at camp at
approximately 3:30 on Monday and proceeded to relive their fond memories of camp.
All 27 students rushed off the bus and you could see and feel their excitement as they raced to see what cabin they were in only four short years ago. They often commented
how much smaller camp seemed now that they are older. To their leaders, a WES
Salute goes out to Sandra Grunow and Brianne Boxell from WHS.
Supervisors who made a difference:
Archery – Darren Grosky; Canoeing – Sean Pullen, Colby Hinton and Leanne Lloyd;
Birdhouses – Tara Gwinn, Jenny Thompson and Katherine Petersen; Swimming –
Emma Hawken; Gun Safety – Shane Tipler and Joe Anderson; Medicine Walk –
Indigenous Elder Ivy Houle and Lara Ledger; Yard Games – Wyatt Watson, Firestarting
and Bannock Making newcomers Ryan Gabrielson and Emma Nutbrown(they rocked it!)
Drama Skits – Devery Raasok and Karen Scherbinski; WOW Mental Wellness Sydney
Snow, Kaleigh Dort and Ariel Haubrich; Orienteering – Shawna Tainsh and Lara Ledger.
As well our WES secretarial staff for assisting me with writing cheques and paying bills
from camp. Your assistance and patience with me is greatly appreciated.
And thirdly, the parents: Wow! Where do I start? First off, Ken and Carrie Larson from
Kenlar for donating the fuel, time, and energy to bring a covered trailer (Kenlar) to camp
and back with our student supplies. Camp alumni Sydney Larson for driving up on the
way there and Ken Larson for driving back. Michelle Schneider was once again huge for
our camp as she picked up all of the grocery supplies and made two trips to camp with
her vehicle as well as staying and being our leader in the kitchen. Mrs. Schneider had
tremendous assistance from: Sheryl Tipler, Wendy Skidmore, Jody Pollard, James
Mercier, Kirstie Foster, Kaylee Webber, Nevin Purser, Megan Elliott, Maureen Corkum
and Terry Clark who donated their time and extreme energy for the entire camp. It is
no easy task cooking for 150 people on Monday night and 120 the rest of the time. Our
overnight supervisors: for both days (toughest job at our camp): Girl Cabins: Jenna
Flynn, Kirstie Foster (Monday) and Kaylee Webber (Tuesday), Boys Cabins: Aaron
Evans and Joe Anderson. These supervisors stayed up from 11 pm to 7 am to ensure
safety and security for all of our students.
Mr. Gary Ezinga who has graciously given of his time to running buses back and forth for
us of a number of years. Last but not least to Mr. Darren Grosky at Irma School for
cutting out the pieces for our birdhouses. This is no easy task to cut out birdhouse
pieces for 97 students.
When you add up the hours of work at our little camp you are truly appreciative of the
parental help to pull off such a venture. We could not etch lasting lifelong memories in
the minds of our students without this gracious assistance from parents.
Last, but not least, funding for camp. Wainwright Elementary Parent Association
(WEPA) who donates field trip dollars which assist us in keeping our cost to the students
down and the WES transportation budget for assisting with field trip dollars for camp.
Huge salute to BTPS Leadership at Central Office and the school level for allowing our
schools to come together and enjoy camp. This type of education should be encourage
more and bringing students back to nature allows them to open their minds and hearts to
the great outdoors. We appreciate the support from administration and their financial
obligations that come with it. I have had nothing but support from them during my time
with this outdoor educational camp.

In closing, I would like to recognize all volunteers at our camps over the years. Each
year we have people who “step up” and give of their time to make our camp both
memorable and affordable for all to go.
Mrs. Scherbinski, who has assisted at Drama Skits for a number of years, is retiring so
we wish her well on that. Thank you for coming to camp and showing the students their
hidden skills at drama and improvisation.We want to also acknowledge Mr. Pullen who has been with our camp ever since I
started 19 years ago. He brings his best at canoeing and also connects with students so
that they have a blast at canoeing and at camp in general. He is an expert canoeist but
he also has a gift for connecting with students. He will be missed by his students and I
really do appreciate all that he does for our school and our camp.
The old saying “Show your kids the way and they will find it and grow” always rings true
at our little camp. We all feed off their energy and even when our legs are tired (28,000
steps on Monday) we continue on knowing they will appreciate all that we do for them.
We are in the “kid business” for a reason and it through this connection outside of the
classroom that sometimes the biggest growth is made.

Our students rock and so do their parents, teachers and volunteers!
Mr. Mitchell
Grade 6 Camp Coordinator
Crafty old veteran (32 years teaching and counting)