Different Students but Same Thrills at Camp Greenkill
Continuing a long district tradition, several hundred sixth graders from Woodhull and Huntington Intermediate schools experienced a thoroughly enjoyable trek to the Greenkill Environmental Education Center in Huguenot, New York this spring, participating in numerous interesting and informative lessons, hiking and encountering a variety of outdoor thrills.
The Huntington School District has been sending students to the camp for many years. This year, each intermediate school sent students to the camp for four days and three nights. “This year the children experienced great weather both weeks,” said teacher Keith Meyers, who helped coordinate the trip with colleague Allison VonVange. “Each night, they had an assembly program which included snakes and reptiles, birds of prey and a presentation on the American Revolution from Joe Ryan, a well-known retired teacher whose great interest is living history.”
The 1,000 acre camp, which is located about ten miles from Port Jervis, is owned and operated by the YMCA of Greater New York. The three-hour bus ride to the camp was understandably filled with anticipation and a sense of excitement.
The camp sessions were often captivating. “During the birds of prey show, children got a chance to see an owl fly across the room, as did a falcon,” Mr. Meyers said. “The reptiles were carried around the room, in some cases even letting the children touch them. Each night after the assembly, the children got a small snack and milk and then went to bed.”
Each morning the youngsters were up by 7 a.m. for early activities, such as hiking to a waterfall, crossing a river on the rope bridge or even an athletic game of tag. “They spent the majority of the day in learning groups,” Mr. Meyers said. “They learned many things, including about the environment, how animals adapt to their environment, forest and pond ecology and even how to survive in the wild, building their own shelter.”
The youngsters sat at tables in the dining hall and ate family style. They were encouraged to pass food around the table “as opposed to all grabbing,” Mr. Meyers said. Each student was assigned serving duties at a specific meal. Their duties extended to clean-up activities.
The students stayed in what is described on the YMCA website as “modern, heated lodges. Each building is designed to accommodate 48 students plus the adult ‘house parents.’ The lodges are within 50 yards of a dining hall, meeting hall and infirmary. Also, within walking distance are a number of buildings used as teaching centers. There is a large gymnasium, which is available during inclement weather.”
Many sixth grade teachers from each respective school made the journey, including the nurses from each building. “I truly feel that this trip is one of the best programs that the district has to offer,” Mr. Meyers said. “The experience these children have is one that they are not likely to forget for a long time. Ms. VonVage and I are also very appreciative to the Huntington Foundation for donating money toward this trip so that all students have an opportunity to go. No child gets left behind because of a lack of money.”
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