Wyoming’s three elementary schools, Laura E. Mason Academy (Cheyenne), SonShine Academy (Worland) and Mountain Road Christian Academy (Casper), along with the Pederson family from Wheatland, headed up to Mill Springs Ranch on Casper Mountain, September 16, for four days of outdoor learning.
The activities of the week included hiking, shelter building, finding and making plaster casts of animal tracks, fire building, cooking over a fire, wilderness safety, camping skills, butterflies, stars and archery. The many crafts and outdoor activities provided a fun way to learn practical and character-building skills and to bond with other students. Each morning started with student-led worship and each evening concluded with a campfire program that incorporated spiritual lessons and fun for everyone.
Evelyn Hulgiun a 7th grader said it was the “most fun I’ve had in years.” Annelise Jagitsch and Hope Webber, both 8th graders enjoyed the bonding time with other students.
The best part was “the campfire with the marshmallows. I liked making new friends. I liked staying in a cabin. I liked learning how to build fires,” commented Lacy, a 5th grader. For Robert, from grade 3, archery was most enjoyable. “I think the archery was very good! I have never shot a bow and arrow in my life! I also liked to make crafts. I hope I can go again next year. I learned so much,” he said.
At the end of the week, everyone headed home tired but full of happy memories and lessons learned in nature, God’s second book. It was unanimously determined that students and teachers are looking forward to heading to Outdoor Education again next year.
—Cara Jagitsch; photos by Nancy Arias
