Cameron Pass: Sixth Grade Voyage

Sixth grade voyage was a grand success.  I'm sure by now that your child has shared about dairy laden meals, lifesaving techniques, new games, new friends and I do hope a ton of big fish tales of wild and grandiose adventures.   I also hope that you see in child a brighter and healthier sense of self. 

The Educo staff, Mr. Josh and I are all very proud of the level of maturity, responsibility, empathy, helpfulness and togetherness each student consistently exuded throughout voyage. 

 Whole gang just below Montgomery Pass

 Jennifer, Shane and Nick Hypo-wrapping Kimberly

 Lauren eating lunch mid blizzard; Julian in foreground

 Lauren zippin' along frozen (3'+ thick) Lake Agnes

 Shane sliding down short ice curtain on the shore line of Lake Agnes

 Jennifer catchin' a little air of the ice curtain into three feet of snow

 Nick post penguin slide

 Shane and Nick 

For more pics follow this link:  Mr. K's Voyage Photos
You may notice a few new faces in these photos.  We were joined on this voyage by Mr. Josh and his 6th grade crew:  Everyone got along splendidly.

Below is the general overview of our voyage.  

Day 1:  Long drive north towards Fort Collins (we were sad to see one of Mr. Josh's crew, Drew,  go home based on a ankle injury at the rest area) and then west along the Poudre River.  We learned how to use our snowshoes and built snow caves.  The night activity was learning about hypothermia and hypo-wraps.

Day 2: We spent the day snowshoeing to a viewpoint and also learned about avalanche safety and how to read the different snow layers in a snow pit.  Students also practiced locating and rescuing victims trapped by an avalanche using beacons and transceivers. The night activity was learning about wilderness first-aid and making splints out of found items.

Day 3 : We snowshoed in beautiful blizzard conditions to Lake Agnes where we played on the frozen lake. The night activity was “challenge night”.

Day 4: After cleaning up and having a wonderful breakfast, students sledded and enjoyed S’mores & banana boats before the long drive back to Castle Rock.


Mr. Josh's images from the Voyage can be viewed at:    Josh Smiles Voyage Pics
IMAGE DISCLAIMER:  Don’t fear the blood…it is fake.  And while some of the shots look like students are airborne--they are.  Everyone landed safely in soft snow.


The Educo staff also uploaded over a 1000 images and they can be viewed at:  Educo Pics

Talk about Trust

You may remember your kids slipping on their not-so-good clothes and hauling a pillow, plastic bag, hair clips and bandannas with them to school.  The reason, as I'm sure your kids had explained, is that the crew and I, along with Ms. Pam, made time to cast our faces.  The castings will be used to further explore the artist George Segal and self portrait techniques.    

Remaining calm while someone, in this case a student, gently laid wet plaster strips over my face, completely covering my eyes and mouth, was not an easy task.  My mantra was Breath Easy and my tool for distraction was systematically recalling each state and its capitol.  The struggle was in my head.  The lack of trust had to do with my relationship with myself.  The reason I made it through with out ripping the wet mask off my face and running out the door was I trust the kids in my crew. I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by a wonderfully compassionate group of students.  

The scene in Ms. Pam's room was so grown-up.  So much trust and perseverance. You would be so proud of how your child is exemplifying the REMS character traits:

Empathy - To empathize is not just to feel for oneself, but also to feel with and for others.

Stewardship - The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.

Integrity - To do the right thing even when nobody is looking.

Beneficence - To bestow your generosity, but as though no such thing as gratitude existed.

Perseverance - To continue an action or belief over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks.

 Here a re few photos from the morning:

 Jeremiah casting Justin

 I believe this Gregory waiting for the cast to dry.

 Kimberly and Tiernan

 Tiernan playing Rock, Paper, Scissors with Conner.  

 Ellie putting the final touches on Hailey