The week I spent at Camp Huntington was excellent. I have not been to a better setting that for learning to take place. I loved the overall focus of the week - environment and energy - that kept resurfacing time and time again. Yes, the schedule was jam packed full of activities, but I did not mind one bit.
I like the fact that we were there with another group. In my opinion, the larger group brought more diversity, experience and perspectives to the weeks activities. It was nice to sit at a different table, meeting new people and hearing their stories, at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There were two high points for me on the trip. The first was the book talk we had with John Slade. Engaging, passionate, inspiring and colorful are a few words that I think of after meeting John. I am looking forward to reading the other two novels in the trilogy of "Adirondack Green". His honest opinion of "Americans" and where we are as a country, in comparison to other cultures, was a bit sobering. Although, I do not think that we should worry too much about what the other "guy" is doing around the world, and are we keeping up, but rather turn the table on us and start asking the hard questions. Are we being a good steward of Earth? Are we teaching a future generation the skills and abilities they will need to succeed in today's world society? Can we make the hard decision and sacrifices necessary to change how we live to become more in-tune with nature and less dependent on non-renewable energy sources?
My interpretation of how John portrayed "American" students in Norway, Russian and China is a difference of the desire to challenge one's own person to be the best they can be. I felt as if his message was very clear, "Americans, have become lazy and complacent". We can do better as a country. We can do better as a culture. And we can definitely do better as part of the human race. The way we are living as a society is costing us too much financially, emotionally and spiritually. I agree with John's message, there is a better way to live in harmony with nature.
This brings me to my second highlight of the week. The high ropes course. It was amazing to watch people, that I only recently met, accomplish such great feats. I was surprised at some individuals actions, both positive and negative. I remember seeing the platform for the zip-line and saying to myself, "You need to see that view up there". It was spectacular! I was not the most graceful climber in the group, but I was very proud of myself for doing the pamper pole. Even though I didn't touch the ball. Drat!
The whole feel of that day was awesome. I thought the day was scaffold very well to build us up to the high-ropes part. The positive reinforcement and support was excellent among both groups. I also would also comment that I'm glad it was later in the week. I think people were more comfortable with one another. Those were my two high points of the week.
I learned a tremendous amount over the six days at Camp Huntington. Learning about the history of the Adirondacks - environment, great camps and political - was phenomenal. I have definitely fallen in love with the Adirondacks. I have just spent the last week in Anchorage, Alaska, hiking, fishing and being in the outdoors. It has been great, but completely different the feeling I had in the Adirondacks. I have two more weeks up here in the great white north. My time spent in the Adirondacks has put me in a state of mind to really soak up every minute.
Lastly, I'd like to take this time to say thanks to Beth, Karl and Tim. Your passion for the outdoors, education and making a difference really in this world really came through loud and clear. Thanks for a great experience.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Camp Huntington Day #4
Day four at Camp Huntington was very informative. We visited two museums in the Adirondacks. The first was the Wild Center, which is the natural museum of the Adirondacks. While we were there we were given a presentation of Visual Thinking Strategies. I think this could be a very effective program to use with my students next year, engaging them with sharing and listening to their peers. The second museum we got to see and explore was the Adirondack Museum. At the museum we got to learn about the history and people that established the Adirondack Park. They were both good visits except we were short on time and it felt a little rushed.
The high point for me today came at 6am when a classmate and I went kayaking this morning. The lake was like a fresh sheet of ice after a Zamboni resurfaced an indoor ice rink. As we rounded the corner we receive a surprise. A beautiful loon with a completely black head popped up out of the water from no where. It looked at us for a few minutes and then dived down into the water. We never saw it again. It was a wonderful peaceful way to begin the day.
The high point for me today came at 6am when a classmate and I went kayaking this morning. The lake was like a fresh sheet of ice after a Zamboni resurfaced an indoor ice rink. As we rounded the corner we receive a surprise. A beautiful loon with a completely black head popped up out of the water from no where. It looked at us for a few minutes and then dived down into the water. We never saw it again. It was a wonderful peaceful way to begin the day.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Camp Huntington Day #3
The Adirondack adventure continues! I slept in today. We did not get back from the sauna last night until 11pm. The dehydration factor definitely came into play for me. I needed the extra rest for our hike to Bear Mountain!
Before we headed out to the trail we had breakfast and a hour presentation on energy and climate change. I really enjoyed the energy class. Karl brought to light, like he did in his spring class, that everything we do is connected to fossil fuels. This needs to change. Beth tag teamed with discussing the effects of global warming. She drove home the point that there is no longer a debate about whether or not global warming is happening, but how are we as a species going to deal with the issue at hand.
The best part is when she displayed the slide titled, "What my family is doing?" This gave me a lot to ponder on. I am in the process of buying a house. I have not really thought to much about where I could put solar panels, could I convert the water heating system to use solar energy, or is there a place to store canned food? I have always been looking for a plot with enough room to make a good sized garden. I need to add more of what I just mentioned to the things that I look for in a house.
Change can start with a single person. Tonight we have the opportunity to meet the author John Slade. In my mind, he is a person that is making change one individual at a time. Another person I can think of that is making change one person at a time is Greg Mortenson. He is an individual that is building school in Afghanistan and Pakistan for children. You can read about his story in the book, "Three Cups of Tea." I am currently reading this book and I would highly recommend it. I want to be a person that makes a difference in this world. I want to teach my son that this is possible. I want to hang out with friends that think this is possible. I have a great opportunity to look for and buy a home where I can start making a change that will impact the environment in a positive way one family at a time.
For the main part of the day we spent hiking on Bear Mountain. I really enjoy hiking so what can I say. It was great. I got to talk with a new person in the Professional Development Group. Made another Trumansburg connection with a teacher from the aforementioned group. And I got to become closer with the cohort that I am directly ties too. I believe all this happened because I was engaged in a fantastic learning environment that allowed people to be exactly who they are and open themselves up to others. Nature. What a wonderful place to learn and grow. Today, reinforced for me that I need to complete my project of an information/invitation video to communicate to my family's in this upcoming year how we can become a strong community to benefits all of those involved.
Till tomorrow...
Before we headed out to the trail we had breakfast and a hour presentation on energy and climate change. I really enjoyed the energy class. Karl brought to light, like he did in his spring class, that everything we do is connected to fossil fuels. This needs to change. Beth tag teamed with discussing the effects of global warming. She drove home the point that there is no longer a debate about whether or not global warming is happening, but how are we as a species going to deal with the issue at hand.
The best part is when she displayed the slide titled, "What my family is doing?" This gave me a lot to ponder on. I am in the process of buying a house. I have not really thought to much about where I could put solar panels, could I convert the water heating system to use solar energy, or is there a place to store canned food? I have always been looking for a plot with enough room to make a good sized garden. I need to add more of what I just mentioned to the things that I look for in a house.
Change can start with a single person. Tonight we have the opportunity to meet the author John Slade. In my mind, he is a person that is making change one individual at a time. Another person I can think of that is making change one person at a time is Greg Mortenson. He is an individual that is building school in Afghanistan and Pakistan for children. You can read about his story in the book, "Three Cups of Tea." I am currently reading this book and I would highly recommend it. I want to be a person that makes a difference in this world. I want to teach my son that this is possible. I want to hang out with friends that think this is possible. I have a great opportunity to look for and buy a home where I can start making a change that will impact the environment in a positive way one family at a time.
For the main part of the day we spent hiking on Bear Mountain. I really enjoy hiking so what can I say. It was great. I got to talk with a new person in the Professional Development Group. Made another Trumansburg connection with a teacher from the aforementioned group. And I got to become closer with the cohort that I am directly ties too. I believe all this happened because I was engaged in a fantastic learning environment that allowed people to be exactly who they are and open themselves up to others. Nature. What a wonderful place to learn and grow. Today, reinforced for me that I need to complete my project of an information/invitation video to communicate to my family's in this upcoming year how we can become a strong community to benefits all of those involved.
Till tomorrow...
Monday, July 26, 2010
Camp Huntington Day #2
It has been an excellent day. I got up early and found a nice quiet spot on the dock by the kayaks. I was able to squeeze in fifteen minutes of yoga and ten minutes of meditation before it was time to head to breakfast. I hope that I can do that every morning that I am here. It is so peaceful. No wonder William Durant spent so much time developing this "Great Camp" and convincing his wealthy aristocrat friends to visit and invest in the Adirondacks.
After breakfast we gathered for another nature hike. We got to see where the sauna is and the final destination was Camp Kirby. Camp Kirby was the home of the mistress of William Durant. I made an interesting local connection with the couple that was staying in the cabin. They were both retired physical education teachers. After telling them where I taught they immediately perked up and asked me if I knew a Tom Major? Which I do. He is a retire physical education teacher from my school district and still volunteers for playground duty. There names were Donna and Shorty. I am supposed to tell Tom that they said, "Hi!" Another woman who is working with the administrative staff taught fifth grade at Enfield Elementary school had my old classroom when I taught fifth grade at Enfield. It is two degrees of separation in the education industry.
The best part of the day was when we got to chose whether we wanted to go kayaking or canoeing. Since I grew up doing a lot of canoeing, I decided to Kayaking. It was beautiful out on the water. I had a great conversation with a classmate while paddling back to the dock. We started talking about where we lived and our family make-ups. Then our dialog turned to the smell of our home towns. We spoke about how great it was to roll into your hometown. The smell, familiar surrounds and the comfort of knowing your family and friends were near kept popping into my mind.
I am heading to Alaska on August 2nd to visit my family. It is where I grew. Now I live in Trumansburg, New York. I will have lived there four years next month. It is really starting to fell like my hometown. It is interesting to me how you grow so attached to different places. Fairbanks Alaska will always be where I grew up, but I think that Trumansburg and the state of New York is started to become my new hometown and it feels great!
We'll time to sign off. Dinner is in 10 minutes, then work time on class project, movie and popcorn time and then a hot sauna tonight!
After breakfast we gathered for another nature hike. We got to see where the sauna is and the final destination was Camp Kirby. Camp Kirby was the home of the mistress of William Durant. I made an interesting local connection with the couple that was staying in the cabin. They were both retired physical education teachers. After telling them where I taught they immediately perked up and asked me if I knew a Tom Major? Which I do. He is a retire physical education teacher from my school district and still volunteers for playground duty. There names were Donna and Shorty. I am supposed to tell Tom that they said, "Hi!" Another woman who is working with the administrative staff taught fifth grade at Enfield Elementary school had my old classroom when I taught fifth grade at Enfield. It is two degrees of separation in the education industry.
The best part of the day was when we got to chose whether we wanted to go kayaking or canoeing. Since I grew up doing a lot of canoeing, I decided to Kayaking. It was beautiful out on the water. I had a great conversation with a classmate while paddling back to the dock. We started talking about where we lived and our family make-ups. Then our dialog turned to the smell of our home towns. We spoke about how great it was to roll into your hometown. The smell, familiar surrounds and the comfort of knowing your family and friends were near kept popping into my mind.
I am heading to Alaska on August 2nd to visit my family. It is where I grew. Now I live in Trumansburg, New York. I will have lived there four years next month. It is really starting to fell like my hometown. It is interesting to me how you grow so attached to different places. Fairbanks Alaska will always be where I grew up, but I think that Trumansburg and the state of New York is started to become my new hometown and it feels great!
We'll time to sign off. Dinner is in 10 minutes, then work time on class project, movie and popcorn time and then a hot sauna tonight!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Camp Huntington Day #1
We have arrived! After waiting for a few late arrivals, the pontoon boats where loaded and we headed out to Camp Huntington. Almost on Que, the clouds started to clear and it was a very peaceful ride across the lake. Bunk assignments were given out and then we gathered for orientation. We were given half the tour of camp and then had an excellent dinner. We headed out for the second half of the camp tour after dinner. Ok, that is the nuts and bolts of what we did today, but let's get down to the good stuff!
Lee just discovered that the bird we heard on the hike is called a "Thrush". Professor Tim, as well as Beth and Karl, gave us a great history lesson on the history of the first Great Camp. It is great being surrounded with other individuals that are geared toward a common goal, learning about the environment and nature. I sure we all have a little different twist about what we want to get out of this week, but there will be many common threads I'm sure. Tomorrow morning more will be revealed about why we have all signed up for this awesome class...
Lee just discovered that the bird we heard on the hike is called a "Thrush". Professor Tim, as well as Beth and Karl, gave us a great history lesson on the history of the first Great Camp. It is great being surrounded with other individuals that are geared toward a common goal, learning about the environment and nature. I sure we all have a little different twist about what we want to get out of this week, but there will be many common threads I'm sure. Tomorrow morning more will be revealed about why we have all signed up for this awesome class...
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Pre-ADK Post
Tomorrow is the big day! I am completing my first post fashionably late, but I won't be late for the boat. :-) Why am I taking this course? Because I cannot think of a better way to earn three graduate credits than spending six days in the Adirondacks learning more about the environment, energy and ways to bring nature into my student's lives.
Why did I want to become a teacher? I have been working with children as a career since 1997. First, as a youth program manager running non-profit and for profit ice hockey clubs. It was a good job. Except, the higher I advanced in the field the less contact I had with kids. I was managing more coaches, training coaches in clinics, negotiating ice contracts and balancing budgets. I decided to make a lateral move in my career into the trenches of public education. It has been a wonderful decision. And I can still volunteer to coach ice hockey.
My Professional goals in teaching vary. I have yearly goals. Such as, last year my goal was to not use my overhead machine because I had an interactive smartboard installed into my classroom. I had another goal of differentiating my grammar lessons on three levels to meet the needs of all my students. If I step back, my teaching goals get a little broader. I want to complete my master's degree and achieve my professional teaching license. A long term goal I have for my career is to do a teaching exchange with another professional from a different country. My number one choice is India, but I'll compromise. The biggest goal I have is my daily professional goal, which is to show up everyday to work, minus sick and personal days, and check my problems, concerns and issues at the door and give everything I can to make my students day awesome! This does not happen everyday and it is a difficult goal to accomplish, but that is why it is my goal.
I am making a career in teaching right now. This will be the start of my fifth year as a full time teacher. The bigger question I wrestle with is will I be a lifer in teaching? I do not know. For today, and next year, I will definitely be in the trenches working with kids and sharing in their successes and failures, tears and laughter, problems and celebrations. It is a wonderful place to be.
I have several goals for this week. First, be engaged! I want to get the most out of this experience and that means it is up to me to be present and actively listening to others. I want to ask a lot of questions to my peers about two projects I am working on for the upcoming school year. I wrote about both of them in my pre-essay. It is a goal of mine to be open to other ideas about my projects and see if they might morph into something more exciting than I thought of. And the last goal I have is to give honest and constructive feedback.
Anyway, I know this posting is almost at the eleventh hour, but hey, what can I say? I am headed to the ADKs, to one of the great camps and wanted to be make a grand entrance! Can't wait to see everyone tomorrow!
Michael
http://adkclassroom.blogspot.com/
Why did I want to become a teacher? I have been working with children as a career since 1997. First, as a youth program manager running non-profit and for profit ice hockey clubs. It was a good job. Except, the higher I advanced in the field the less contact I had with kids. I was managing more coaches, training coaches in clinics, negotiating ice contracts and balancing budgets. I decided to make a lateral move in my career into the trenches of public education. It has been a wonderful decision. And I can still volunteer to coach ice hockey.
My Professional goals in teaching vary. I have yearly goals. Such as, last year my goal was to not use my overhead machine because I had an interactive smartboard installed into my classroom. I had another goal of differentiating my grammar lessons on three levels to meet the needs of all my students. If I step back, my teaching goals get a little broader. I want to complete my master's degree and achieve my professional teaching license. A long term goal I have for my career is to do a teaching exchange with another professional from a different country. My number one choice is India, but I'll compromise. The biggest goal I have is my daily professional goal, which is to show up everyday to work, minus sick and personal days, and check my problems, concerns and issues at the door and give everything I can to make my students day awesome! This does not happen everyday and it is a difficult goal to accomplish, but that is why it is my goal.
I am making a career in teaching right now. This will be the start of my fifth year as a full time teacher. The bigger question I wrestle with is will I be a lifer in teaching? I do not know. For today, and next year, I will definitely be in the trenches working with kids and sharing in their successes and failures, tears and laughter, problems and celebrations. It is a wonderful place to be.
I have several goals for this week. First, be engaged! I want to get the most out of this experience and that means it is up to me to be present and actively listening to others. I want to ask a lot of questions to my peers about two projects I am working on for the upcoming school year. I wrote about both of them in my pre-essay. It is a goal of mine to be open to other ideas about my projects and see if they might morph into something more exciting than I thought of. And the last goal I have is to give honest and constructive feedback.
Anyway, I know this posting is almost at the eleventh hour, but hey, what can I say? I am headed to the ADKs, to one of the great camps and wanted to be make a grand entrance! Can't wait to see everyone tomorrow!
Michael
http://adkclassroom.blogspot.com/
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