Editor’s Note: Vanessa Orey and Heather Knapp are currently in an AP Spanish 4 class at Truckee High School. When assigned to write an article on something that is important to the community, the two decided to write about Woodleaf, an annual week-long outdoor program for sixth graders at Alder Creek Middle School. Vanessa and Heather were Woodleaf counselors in November 2006 and said ‘it is a wonderful program where kids learn about nature while having the times of their lives.’
It is difficult to explain the effect that these special people have on these students, something the children will remember for the rest of their lives. It is not only about the things that the students learn about the environment, but about the people they meet and how they learn it. The counselors were chosen because they showed the experience of leadership and worked well with children. Many people believe that the responsibilities of the counselors are more difficult in comparison to the teachers and the naturalists. The counselors help the children with their problems and the tasks and classes they do each day. This includes arriving on time, understanding the schedules, and most important, having a fun experience.
Woodleaf is a marvelous program that educates children about saving the environment and recycling more. The naturalists also teach the counselors and teachers new things. This year the counselors met many new people; not only the children but many of the naturalists. A regular day includes waking all the children at 6 a.m. and dressing for the weather (a lot of rain). All the girls and boys in the cabin have cleaning responsibilities to receive points for the cabin. At the end of the week, the cabin of boys and girls with the majority of points receives a pizza party. This idea helped to maintain the good conduct for the entire week!
Everyone had a great time, although there were some bad experiences on the trip. During a hike in ‘The Old Growth Forest,’ a boy stepped a beehive and caused an attack of bees in a group of more than ten students. Fortunately, none of the 12 students were allergic, and went away with minor stings. Another girl had to leave Woodleaf on her first night because she fell of her bed and broke her wrist. Although we encountered some bad situations, our counselors were prepared and they knew how to handle these situations!
