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

Greetings from ECOS Institute in Running Springs, CA!!

Thank you parents for the wonderful support, patience, and assistance this morning as we gathered the students early to verify temperatures, collect and load luggage, and all of the other last minute tasks that always arise despite careful planning. 

We had a smooth bus ride, void of traffic and need for vomit bags (that's the technical term--I looked it up). We actually got to camp by 10:00 AM on the dot and were the first ones to arrive. 

Immediately after exiting the bus, the students were wisked away by counselors and given a camp tour and emergency drill procedures.  

The teachers met with Lead Staff members to go over the week's schedule, procedures, and events. Shortly afterwards, we met for lunch (turkey croissant sandwiches, vegetable soup, and optional salad bar) and had a chance to connect with the students. 

After lunch, the students enjoyed team building games while the teachers met with all of the cabin counselors to review the needs of each and every student. They are THOROUGH and already "know" your kids. Please rest assured that your children are in very capable and loving hands at ECOS. 

Dinner (Teriyaki chicken, white rice, steamed broccoli, veggie egg rolls, optional salad bar, and ice cream sandwiches for dessert) was fun tonight. The students had dirty faces, messy hair, and were more than excited to tell us riddles, about the games they played, and about the trees they tasted. Yes, tasted. 

Dismissal from every meal is done with song: 

and the result . . .

with practice!!

Right now, as I write this to you, the students are on one of two hikes: Astrology Hike (mega-telescope finale) and The Night Hike (re: animal adaptation in the dark). Both are awesome hikes and have several fun activities for the students to truly experience the mountain life. 

This evening, the students will be in bed by 9:00 PM. The instructors will spend 20+ minutes telling the students bedtime stories, playing guitar, singing, and/or reading poems to get them sleepy. These instructors are PROS at bedtime and this ritual ends up being one of the students' favorite parts of camp.

Outdoor "watch" is 24/7. This means that there are shifts of instructors (hand radios on them) walking the camp throughout the entire night. There are 3 nurses on staff who are also available 24/7. 

Tomorrow morning, the students will rise with the sun, take 3 minute showers, tidy their beds/cabin, meet in group and be in the dining hall by 8:00 AM for a hot breakfast (that includes an optional cereal bar). 

Stay tuned for more tomorrow!! 

Sweet dreams from Mrs. Copeland & Mr. Gray

TOMORROW WE TREK TO THE MOUNTAINS!!

1. GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP

2. EAT A SOLID BREAKFAST

3. WAKE WITH A GOOD ATTITUDE

4. BE AT SCHOOL BY 7:15 AM.