Survival Camp

 It's been a tradition for the past 27 years.  In fact, the teacher who implemented this "Survival Camp" began teaching at ACS the year after I was in 5th grade.  I'm glad I missed it...thank the Lord for small miracles.  Anyway, the 5th graders have been doing a survival unit in school, and the culminating event is to go up north to the Manistee National Forest.  They hike in about a mile from Camp Tall Turf and build their own shelters out of branches and pine needles, called "squirrel huts" which they sleep in.  In the 27 years they've been doing this, the teachers commented that this was the worst weather they've had.  Severe thunderstorms and 40 mph winds don't bode well for sleeping outside.  Nevertheless, that is exactly what they all did....with the exception of some of the parents who escaped to their car to sleep AND the teachers, who I found out haven't ever slept outside... Instead, they sleep in a lodge.  What's up with that?   The whole group (about 72 kids and 35 adults) had to spend about an hour and a half in the lodge in the late afternoon during a thunderstorm, but other than that they were outside.  The class was divided into about 8 mini-camps, and most of the shelters that the kids built were big enough for 8-10 kids.  Claire ended up sleeping with Jerry in his squirrel hut, and Jerry said she was asleep by 10:30 and woke up at 7:30.  Jerry commented that if it weren't for the rain and the wind he would have had a pretty good night's sleep, which is great to hear considering in 2 years he'll be doing it again with Erin.

 

 Awesome 5th grade team: Mr. Hoo, Mr. Boersma, and Mrs. Deckinga

 Doesn't this look cozy to sleep in?  This was Claire's camp.  10 girls slept in here.

 Another squirrel hut.  The boys were able to jump up and down on the roof, and it still didn't come down.

 Huddling around the fire to stay warm.  Claire's on the top right (in the red Canada sweatshirt).

 Nothing like 72 10-year olds roasting hotdogs.  They had to eat a hot dog and a carrot before they could roast their marshmallow.

 Capture the flag!