Exciting Camping

What will happen if natural environment we live in suddenly disappears? It’s very hard to imagine this. I disagree with the administration wanting to cancel the spring backpacking trips. Camping in nature teaches us how important nature is and how we are part of it. We can learn many things by using our senses. In addition, we can do lots of team works and help each other. Also, we appreciate nature when we camp.

           

            First, we can learn many things when we camp by looking, touching, and smelling. We can see many different kinds of plants. What do we do if we touch poison oaks? We should wash it with soap and water. Otherwise, we will get blisters. If we have ticks in our body, we have to grab it and squeeze it with hands. Otherwise, ticks will suck up our blood. In addition, we can learn what to do if we meet the wild animals such as snakes, bears, and mountain lions. We should not go near to them, so they won’t attack you. Students understand things easier by experience.

            Next, we can do lots of team work while we are camping. We need many people to cook our meal during the trip. Everyday, we had a new leader and cook meals for everyone. They say tell us what to do. We have to set up the tents when we sleep. If we do not set up the tent, wind can blow away or wild animals can took our stuffs. Also, we have to help each other when we have a very hard up or down hill. If we do it by ourselves, every one of us will get hurt badly. Team works are really important in the camping trips.

            Finally, we can feel and appreciate nature when we camp. We can only sleep outside lying on the ground, inside your sleeping bags when we camp. It feels different that we sleep inside the sleeping bag rather than sleeping in your bed. We can only walk through cool rivers and deep bushes by camping. This feels like you are having an adventure. It’s good that we at least experience these things. Appreciating nature is most important in backpacking trips.

            I think everything around us and even ourselves would disappear if the nature disappears. Camping in nature teaches us how important nature is and how we are part of it. So I disagree to cancel the backpacking trips. Backpacking trip should be continued!!

 

Class hikes

            On January 27^th, 1^st~8^th grades had a class hike for the end of the first semester on 2012. This was my first class hike, so I was little bit nervous. But the hike was spectacular and awesome. The 7^th grade went hiking with Mr. Gartrell, Mr. Mahon, Mr. Wallace, and the school nurse.

            At the morning, we took some group pictures and started to hike up the mountain. The hike was challenging at the beginning. Also, the long grass and bushes make my legs tickle. So I put the fleece on, but the weather was hot and I was starting to sweat after 30 minutes so I took off the fleece immediately. During the hike, I was on the lead with Karl, Gavin, Jay, Ronan, and Kevin. That’s why the hike was challenging, because I have to walk faster than the others classmates. About 12’o clock, 7^th grade was the top of the high mountain. I saw the high mountains, hills, Channel Islands and sea at the top of the mountain. We had a lunch at the top of the mountain. The wind was so strong and cold so I couldn’t eat lunch probably. I thought the hike at the morning was awesome and challenging.

            After lunch, we started to clean up our sack lunch. After the clean up, we started to go down from the mountain. During the hike, we saw the 8^th graders shouting to us. So I shout it back to them. Unfortunately, we couldn’t meet the 8^th graders during the hike. After that, we went hiking down to the mountain. This time, I slow down and didn’t lead the 7^th graders, because, it’s bad to walk fast or run after you eat. Also, the trail was very long because of the switchback ways. After about one hour, we had a break and there was a tub for wash your face. Some 7^th graders fall down to the tub, because Mr. Wallace said ‘Real guys will fall down to the tub.’ Most 7^th grades want me to fall down to the tub so I fell down to the tub at last of the 7^th grade. The water was freezing cold! But the hot sun and cool wind dried my cloths very quickly. I thought the afternoon hike was fun and great.

            About 3’o clock 7^th graders finished the 11 miles hike. Everyone was tired, exhausted, and their legs hurt. When we went back to the OVS, we drank the cool drinks. The drink was so good. I thought the end of the hike was great and spectacular!

            I thought the 7^th grade hike was awesome. Also, my first class hike was challenging, great and fantastic. I hope there will be a good and terrific hike at year when I’m 8^th grade!