Hello Again :)

This final blog from Camp Cedar Crest comes to you with a happy heart and many fond memories. Today was an incredible day! 

Students went on the final 3rd hike (Wild Life, Ecology, or Geology) and the weather could not have been more perfect!

A highlight of the week was today's Survival Lesson and Shelter Building. After an entertaining presentation on how to build a viable structure for shelter in the wilderness, the students left on trail with instructors and classroom teachers to give it a try. The results were highly impressive and each shelter was "tested" to see if it could withstand a little rain. 

After dinner, the students roasted marshmallows around a fire and made S'mores. THEN...the big dance was held with crazy, invented line dances taught by costumed instructors. 

The evening ended with a candlelight ceremony led by teachers and instructors...and "the camp song." It was perfect. 

Tomorrow, after breakfast, the students will gather one last time to watch a video presentation of pictures of them taken all week by the camp's photographer. 

We will be loading the bus at 11:00 and hope to be home before 1:00 PM. Please stay tuned for email updates from Mrs. Stone. Students are excused immediately upon arriving back at SSJ. 

We've had a wonderful time, but there's nothing quite like home. 

Pleasant dreams from Camp Cedar Crest, 

Mrs. Copeland & Mr. Gray

DAY 2 @ ECOS Institute

Hello Families, 

Today was a very long and full day for everyone here in the San Bernardino Mountains. We have been ridiculously blessed with incredible weather. Last week, the instructors said the windchill factor was -17 degrees. Yes, BELOW zero. This week, the instructors are running around in short sleeves and the students only need sweatshirts to stay warm. 

As you may know, we attend Camp Cedar Crest annually with the same schools: St. Catherines, St. Francis, Our Lady of Fatima, and Blessed Sacrament. We teachers have formed great friendships over the years and have similar class management styles. I tell you this because the Director of ECOS told us (again) that this is their favorite week of the season. According to them, we are all a breath of fresh air. So...good vibes all around camp!

Today, all students went on 2 of the 3 hikes: Wild Life Biology, Ecology, or Geology. Each hike has various hands-on activities and is in alignment with California State Standards and currently integrating the new "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS ). 

After the first hike, all classroom teachers met with their students to review what they are enjoying and what concerns they may be having. We photographed some of the student responses for you to enjoy and get a better feel for their experience. 

Since, pictures (compliments of Mr. Gray) speak a thousand words, I will stop writing and let you take a peek into our world: 

Tomorrow is another full day and it starts at sunrise. I won't ruin the surprise but the goodness just keep coming!!

Sweet dreams from ECOS, 

Mrs. Copeland and Mr. Gray