The annual overnight camping trip for Mettawee sixth graders does not go unnoticed by the rest of the students. “We saw how thrilled they were when they came back to school last year,” noted one new sixth grader. “This summer I was so filled with anticipation that I spent the last few weeks before school packing for our trip.”
This year’s night under the stars delivered. Some 16 students, along with courageous teachers and parent volunteers, hiked two miles into the woods of Merck Farmland and Forest. Their reward was an evening of games, food, laughter, and so much more, all under the big tent also known as the night sky.
“Most of these kids have been together since Pre-K,” said Mettawee Community School 6th grade teacher Heather McGann. “But they learn even more about each other after a night bonding outside in the woods. It’s a great way to set the table for their final year together at school.”
There may be no wifi in the mountains and forest, but students found ample time for connections. “It was a chance to just talk with each other and learn even more about my friends,” said one young camper. “I didn’t miss my phone at all.”
The annual trip provides an opportunity for students to acquire knowledge with the basics of camping. For many, the trek up the mountain at Merck is their first overnight outdoors. One of many lessons learned involved using a piece of flint to make fire.
“We scratched the flint on a rock to create a spark and get a fire going,” explained one youngster. “It started to burn, but we blew too hard as we tried to fan the flame and the fire went out. That’s when one of the adults handed us a lighter.”
Prior to the trip, the kids decided on a variety of games to play in the wild. Manhunt, a variation of the classic hide-and-seek, took on a whole new meaning with flashlights in the dark woods. There were also pick-up coed games of soccer and passing around a football.
The kids raved about the Human Spider Web. Teamwork and communication played the main role as teams scored points by passing humans through a rope “web” without touching the cords.
But they could touch animals. The kids cuddled and cooed over two-week old bunnies — a recent addition to Merck. They also joyfully encountered a brood of new born chicks.
Hiking and playing games worked up quite the appetite — and everyone knows food, particularly hotdogs and burgers, always taste better when grilled outdoors. But there was even s’more, as in s’mores! Roasted marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers sandwiched together put the finishing touch on a meal in the woods.
“We love the annual overnight at Mettawee and I was lucky enough to join the overnight with the 6th graders this year,” said Mettawee Principal Brooke DeBonis. “The kids were filled with kindness and boundless energy, but by 9:30 it was lights out and totally silent. Sleeping students is a good sign that they had a fun-filled day in the fresh air. We all had a wonderful time together.”
A group of the sixth graders were asked to sum up their trip in one word: “Awesome.” “Great.” “Fantastic.” “Recommend.” ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” “Perfect.”
What’s s’more, it will happen again next year!
(Photo above: Mettawee campers roast marshmallows on their annual overnight at Merck Forest and Farmland.)
Mettawee campers use a piece of flint against rock to create a spark to lite a flame.
Marshmallows taste great when roasted outdoors.
The Mettawee campers pause on their two-mile hike to the campsite.
Baby bunnies and new born chicks greet the Mettawee 6th grade campers at Merck.
Mettawee 6th graders reach their campsite at Merck Forest and Farmland.