This week 6th graders took their first science test of the year. I haven't yet graded them because I've been hard at work coordinating medications, assigning tents, and getting supplies together for next week's big trip to Echo Hill Outdoor School. At first glance though, the tests look pretty good. No one ran out of time, and almost every blank on every test has an attempted answer in it. Good signs.
On to Echo Hill. On Friday I sent home another packing list; this one had an "x" next to necessary items. With the weather forecast now in sight we can answer some more questions that the 6th graders were asking this week.
- Will the same faculty members be there all week? No, Mr. Ewen, Mr. Skeen, and Mrs. Kamp will be there from Monday until Wednesday. Ms. Herrity, Mr. Rossi, and Mr. Broy will be there from Wednesday until Friday. Mrs. Lears will be there Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Do I really need rain pants? No. A rain jacket is a necessity, but bring at least one pair of pants that will dry out easily - nylon jogging pants work very well.
- What about shoes? One pair of sneakers/hiking boots and a pair of plastic sandals, like flip flops or crocs, should do it. Maybe another pair of old sneakers if your child tends to get super-muddy.
- How cold is it going to get? 70s in the day and upper 40s at night - bring a warm sleeping bag and sweats to sleep in.
- Do I need a sweatshirt and a sweater? No, a sweatshirt should be sufficient.
- Must I have waterproof/rain boots? It's not worth going out and buying them, but if you have a pair bring them.
- What about cameras? Cameras are encouraged. The cheapest cameras are best. There's a big bay out there hungry for electronics.
- What time are we leaving and returning? The bus leaves Calvert at 8:45 on Monday and returns at about 2:30 on Friday.
- Souvenirs? There are t-shirts and steel water bottles available for about $15.00 each.
- Can't I just borrow bug spray? No, we have students with allergies to various active ingredients in repellent along, so be sure to bring your own.
- Is there really going to be swimming? It isn't required, but the Bay is there and it is handy to have a bathing suit because of all the activities/classes where students have a 100% chance of getting some part of them wet. Better to soak the swim trunks than that one pair of favorite shorts that a 12 year boy will live in for 5 days straight.
- Is there anything I need that isn't on the list? YES--BRING A COUPLE OF LARGE PLASTIC TRASH BAGS. They come in handy for dirty clothes, wet clothes, trash, emergency ponchos, backpack covers, waterproof socks, and all kinds of other things. And they're cheap. And they're really small. And everyone probably already has them at home.
- Do I really need a flashlight? Be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp, and extra batteries for your light. Nothing is more annoying than running out of batteries on Tuesday night at 8:15.
- How big a water bottle should I bring? It doesn't really matter as long as you have one. There are water fountains, but they aren't always in the most accessible of places.
- Can I bring food? They're joking about the no candy policy, right? Nope. No joke. Candy and other food attracts animals. And not the animals you want to see. Nothing says fun like finding a small gray visitor in your bag helping itself to a buffet of skittles and snickers bars. Nothing ruins a trip like finding out that a "cat" with one white stripe down its back sneaked into your tent while you were on a night hike.
Time to go pack a bag...
