Frost Valley Trip Memorable for Sixth Graders

Huntington UFSD sixth graders returned from a trip to the Frost Valley YMCA Environmental Education Center happy and healthy. The trip spanned parts of four days and included 123 youngsters, 14 chaperones and a pair of teacher aides.

“Children learned about teamwork; they learned to overcome obstacles; they learned about how animals adapt to their environment; they learned the process for making maple sugar and they learned outdoor survival skills, among many other lessons,” said teacher Keith Meyers who coordinated the trip along with teacher Idania Rivera.

The group departed on Tuesday, March 4 and returned Friday, March 7. It was teacher Todd Hiscox’s final trip due to retirement. “He has been a huge asset throughout the years, filling in wherever needed,” Mr. Meyers said. “He helps deliver the teacher’s luggage to their dorms and then drives around the camp collecting it on the final morning to pack into a truck. He has helped to start fires in fireplaces in each dorm, has bought the ingredients to make the s’mores on our last night there, has taken many long hikes with the children in their learning groups and has been a lead teacher for newer teachers on the trip.”

The outdoor education trip has been a Huntington UFSD tradition since the 1970’s when sixth graders started trekking to Camp Greenkill, which in recent years was closed and sold and replaced by Frost Valley.

“Frost Valley was one of the most fun field trips I have ever had,” Woodhull sixth grader Samantha Graber said. “I got to understand my friends and classmates more and also had good experiences on the hike. The food was much better than school food and the flying squirrel was a lot of fun. The evening shows were amazing and I had a great time.”

Students ate pita pizzas they cooked themselves outdoors over a fire during their all-day hike on the 5,500 preserve.

“My favorite part of the trip was the all day hike,” sixth grader Jacob Arelt said. “We got to see a lot of cool things we don’t normally see, like bear tracks.”

Educational evening activities consisted of presentations focused on snakes and reptiles, the American Revolution and “Birds of Prey.”

“The trip was fun and the bunks were cool,” sixth grader Jerry Waters said. “I loved getting the s'mores on the last night. The frozen waterfall was beautiful. I would rate the trip a 10 out of 10.”

The sixth graders were served s’mores after writing in their journals during the final night at Frost Valley.

“I’m so glad I went to Frost Valley,” sixth grader Marco Garcia said. “It was an amazing experience. I especially liked the choice period, where we could play games, do sports, do art and see animals. I also enjoyed the night programs. I saw birds, reptiles, and authentic replicas of items from the Revolutionary War.  One of the best parts was inside the dorm, when  I got to hang out with my friends and we all slept in bunk beds in the same room.”

Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, about two hours north of New York City, Frost Valley offers visitors year round access to nature and adventure.

“Frost Valley was really good,” sixth grader Dante Lorgis said. “I loved the many activities, especially playing Gaga Ball. I wish I could go back.”

As the nation’s oldest YMCA camp, Frost Valley has grown to become one of the premier outdoor camping, group retreat, and environmental education centers in the world.

“This is such a unique experience for our sixth graders, one that can’t be replicated here in the classroom,” Mr. Meyers said. “They get to experience the outdoors in the Catskill Mountains, which we just can't do on Long Island, like seeing waterfalls, hiking through deep snow, signs of wildlife, but most importantly, experiencing being away from home without their parents. This forces our students to become more independent, try new foods, and different experiences. I believe that this trip is one of the most impactful experiences that the district has to offer.”

Jack Abrams discovered Camp Greenkill for the Huntington School District in 1976. Mr. Abrams was working as principal of Jefferson Elementary School at the time. One of his colleagues, Anthony Baressi, who later served as Jefferson principal, helped organize Huntington’s participation in the camp program. Since then the district has sent more than 9,500 sixth graders to Camp Greenkill.

“The experience helps children to adapt to a home away from home,” said Ms. Rivera, who helped coordinate the trip with Mr. Meyers.

“Frost Valley is a really good opportunity for the students to learn some independence; to have an escape from their electronics and to bond with the staff that works in their building,” Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School Dean of Students Katie Reilly said. “It allows them to meet students their age that attend our other intermediate building before they get to Finley, while getting closer to some students they don’t normally spend time with. And most of all, they get to enjoy the time outdoors”

Mr. Meyers has coordinated the trip for 25 years. He was a close friend and confidante of Mr. Abrams, the trip’s founder.

“Frost Valley is an amazing experience for our students because it immerses them into the outdoors and helps them make lasting memories with their friends,” teacher Meghan Powers said. “Seeing kids interact and form strong friendships with their peers outside the classroom is where you can see them making memories they'll remember forever. Kids go outside their comfort zone and they enjoy experiences they normally wouldn't be able to do in Huntington. From making a fire after a long hike, to a late night talent show in the dorms with their friends, students get an unforgettable experience in Frost Valley.”

The sixth graders naturally returned to Huntington with plenty of stories and memories to share with their friends and family.

“Frost Valley was amazing,” teacher Todd Hiscox said. “Chaperoning this trip for so many years has provided such wonderful memories. This year, I got to spend my last day on an all day hike with my daughter's group. Such a cherished memory to highlight all my years being part of this incredible Huntington tradition.”