Honestly the best song to describe how I feel about Outdoor School and the people I have met!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKQpRgxyyqo
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
My prized possessions
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| All 7 of my wood cookies, including my sixth grade one. Along with my sixth timer sash and all of my SL certificates. |
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| My sixth timer award and wood cookie. |
Saturday, May 19, 2012
The Staff
I love all the staff I've gotten to know. I will always remember all of them but some changed my life forever. (In no particular order)
Pheff, my site supervisor from Adams. She helped me grow as an individual and trusted me. She has given so many opportunities to get involved and come out of my comfort zone. I thank her for that.
Gumby, a program leader at Namanu. He was always saying something funny. When he was being serious, he always ended with a giggle that made me smile. When tears began to flow, he yelled at me, giggled, and told me to put the tears back. I thank him for never ceasing to make me smile.
Zinc, my field instructor at Namanu. She may be small, but her energy is huge. She trusted me and challenged me to be my best and even more. She made me grow as a person and a teacher. I thank her for that.
Mo, my first field instructor at Adams. She taught me so much in my first week. She guided me through field study and helped me as a teacher. I only knew her for that short week but I thank her for giving me some of the skills I have today.
Oak, a program leader/astronomy field instructor at Namanu. I only got to work with him on field study for three days but he taught me so much about always being excited and enthusiastic about teaching. I used some of the things he taught me during my last week and I thank him for that.
Birch, a program leader at Adams and Namanu. He gave grammar lessons before each field study and always cared about the program. I thank him as well.
Finally, Sequoia. She has taught me the most. Words cannot express how much she means to me and how much she has impacted my experience at ODS. She was my PM for three sessions and we grew extremely close. Every time I cried, she knew what to say and do to make me feel better. She trusted me to work with "difficult" kids and made me a better person. She has always supported me. I long for the day I can make the Sequoia face that can control any misbehaving sixth grader. I know this is not the end of our friendship, the beginning actually. I can't thank her enough for all she has done for me. I will always admire her.
Pheff, my site supervisor from Adams. She helped me grow as an individual and trusted me. She has given so many opportunities to get involved and come out of my comfort zone. I thank her for that.
Gumby, a program leader at Namanu. He was always saying something funny. When he was being serious, he always ended with a giggle that made me smile. When tears began to flow, he yelled at me, giggled, and told me to put the tears back. I thank him for never ceasing to make me smile.
Zinc, my field instructor at Namanu. She may be small, but her energy is huge. She trusted me and challenged me to be my best and even more. She made me grow as a person and a teacher. I thank her for that.
Mo, my first field instructor at Adams. She taught me so much in my first week. She guided me through field study and helped me as a teacher. I only knew her for that short week but I thank her for giving me some of the skills I have today.
Oak, a program leader/astronomy field instructor at Namanu. I only got to work with him on field study for three days but he taught me so much about always being excited and enthusiastic about teaching. I used some of the things he taught me during my last week and I thank him for that.
Birch, a program leader at Adams and Namanu. He gave grammar lessons before each field study and always cared about the program. I thank him as well.
Finally, Sequoia. She has taught me the most. Words cannot express how much she means to me and how much she has impacted my experience at ODS. She was my PM for three sessions and we grew extremely close. Every time I cried, she knew what to say and do to make me feel better. She trusted me to work with "difficult" kids and made me a better person. She has always supported me. I long for the day I can make the Sequoia face that can control any misbehaving sixth grader. I know this is not the end of our friendship, the beginning actually. I can't thank her enough for all she has done for me. I will always admire her.
Post ODS depression
My last week at Namanu was amazing. I met wonderful student leaders, bonded more with the staff than ever, and shed lots and lots of tears.
I met Panache, a male SL that I got pretty close to. It's unfathomable how close you can get to someone in four short days. I got to work with Fizzy (laughed with her for hours), Chinook (he always made me smile, especially on the bus ride back), Tumi (I wish I could work with kids the way she does), Bromine (he has that subtle humor), and Salamander (we always ended up in a conversation that I enjoyed each time). All of those SLs were awesome and I learned so much from each of them. The way they all are with the kids is inspiring. Then there's Chinchilla. That girl is crazy hilarious (an just plain crazy). She never failed to make me laugh even in mid-cry. Reindeer, what a sweet and funny girl. She has a soft voice but a sassy attitude. Koala, he actually kind of looks like a koala. he was kind and funny and even though we didn't talk much, I am so happy I was able to meet him. Frootbat, the youngest SL I've ever met. Although she was a young first timer, she taught me so much about bravery and connecting to the sixth graders. Opal, she is plain insane. She danced like no one was watching, she just didn't care what people thought, I was inspired. Baldr, we didn't talk much but I could tell the kids liked him. Sprucie, such sass, such coolness, so awesome. Spud, her humor was great, so is the way she gets the kids attention. Lilypad, she smiled all day, no matter what, she was genuinely happy. I love her spirit so much. Disney, he is just an overgrown kid. He made me wish I could go back in time and enjoy every moment the way he does now. Tofu, we also didn't talk much but his personality is amazing, I know for sure he is a great SL. Fox, this was my second week with him. I feel like we bonded more this week than we did before. It makes me happy I will get to see him at school. Daisy Bell, my second week with her. She was my cabin partner in the Fall and all I can say is that I love her like a sister. Sunshine, my cabin partner. The kids loved her. She taught me how to be funny and crazy in front of the kids and still have their respect, she is truly amazing.
I wish I could have spent more than one week with all of these people. I wish I could have bonded more with all of them. Most of all I wish I could return in the Fall and see how much each of them will grow like I know they will. I will miss them all. I am so thankful that they made my last week perfect.
I met Panache, a male SL that I got pretty close to. It's unfathomable how close you can get to someone in four short days. I got to work with Fizzy (laughed with her for hours), Chinook (he always made me smile, especially on the bus ride back), Tumi (I wish I could work with kids the way she does), Bromine (he has that subtle humor), and Salamander (we always ended up in a conversation that I enjoyed each time). All of those SLs were awesome and I learned so much from each of them. The way they all are with the kids is inspiring. Then there's Chinchilla. That girl is crazy hilarious (an just plain crazy). She never failed to make me laugh even in mid-cry. Reindeer, what a sweet and funny girl. She has a soft voice but a sassy attitude. Koala, he actually kind of looks like a koala. he was kind and funny and even though we didn't talk much, I am so happy I was able to meet him. Frootbat, the youngest SL I've ever met. Although she was a young first timer, she taught me so much about bravery and connecting to the sixth graders. Opal, she is plain insane. She danced like no one was watching, she just didn't care what people thought, I was inspired. Baldr, we didn't talk much but I could tell the kids liked him. Sprucie, such sass, such coolness, so awesome. Spud, her humor was great, so is the way she gets the kids attention. Lilypad, she smiled all day, no matter what, she was genuinely happy. I love her spirit so much. Disney, he is just an overgrown kid. He made me wish I could go back in time and enjoy every moment the way he does now. Tofu, we also didn't talk much but his personality is amazing, I know for sure he is a great SL. Fox, this was my second week with him. I feel like we bonded more this week than we did before. It makes me happy I will get to see him at school. Daisy Bell, my second week with her. She was my cabin partner in the Fall and all I can say is that I love her like a sister. Sunshine, my cabin partner. The kids loved her. She taught me how to be funny and crazy in front of the kids and still have their respect, she is truly amazing.
I wish I could have spent more than one week with all of these people. I wish I could have bonded more with all of them. Most of all I wish I could return in the Fall and see how much each of them will grow like I know they will. I will miss them all. I am so thankful that they made my last week perfect.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The beginning of the end
Tomorrow is the day. Tomorrow is the beginning of the last week I will have as a student leader. Tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for all year. Tomorrow is when I begin to say goodbye. Goodbye to the bus drivers that always know their route. Goodbye to the nurse I barely get to know. Goodbye to the "Camp Namanu" sign at the end of the driveway. Goodbye to the people I've met over the sessions. Most of all, goodbye to Butterfly, the student leader.
I know this day has been slowly creeping up on me for a while, it's just now taking its toll on me. I can't believe I only have one more week. I also can't believe how much Outdoor School has changed me. I have learned confidence and how to teach. I'm more brave than I used to be. I have something to be passionate about. I have learned what I find interesting. I have gained new life goals. Outdoor School has changed my life FOREVER.
I know this day has been slowly creeping up on me for a while, it's just now taking its toll on me. I can't believe I only have one more week. I also can't believe how much Outdoor School has changed me. I have learned confidence and how to teach. I'm more brave than I used to be. I have something to be passionate about. I have learned what I find interesting. I have gained new life goals. Outdoor School has changed my life FOREVER.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Song List
After doing 6 weeks as a student leader and one as a 6th grader, you could say I've collected a long list of songs. This post is just that list. If you know a song that I haven't mentioned, please leave a comment with the name and lyrics if you know them. :)
Aardvark Song, Banana Song, Black Socks, Booderfly, Hey Oh Bo Diddly Bop, Boom-Chick-A-Boom, Crawdad Song, Damper Song, Desperado, Donut Shop, Funky Chicken, Grand Old Duke, Herman the Worm, Hippo Song, Humpty Dump, Jaws, Little Red Caboose, Mama Don't Allow, Moose Song, Peanut Butter, Ratlin' Bog, Spaceship Song, Shoo Fly Pie, Swiss Boy, Yellow Duck Song, Barges, Big Dipper, Big River, Green Trees, Gypsy Rover, Hammer Song, If You Love Me, Purple Lights, Say Goodnight, Taps, Wee Baby Moon, My Paddle's Keen and Bright, Whooping Cough, Why Not 'N' Chu, Diamonds, Ghost Chickens, Magic Penny, Little Red Wagon, Louise, Pirate Song, Relax Your Mind, Murry the Rabbit Boy, Muffin Song, Super Lizard, Phoenix Song, and more.
Aardvark Song, Banana Song, Black Socks, Booderfly, Hey Oh Bo Diddly Bop, Boom-Chick-A-Boom, Crawdad Song, Damper Song, Desperado, Donut Shop, Funky Chicken, Grand Old Duke, Herman the Worm, Hippo Song, Humpty Dump, Jaws, Little Red Caboose, Mama Don't Allow, Moose Song, Peanut Butter, Ratlin' Bog, Spaceship Song, Shoo Fly Pie, Swiss Boy, Yellow Duck Song, Barges, Big Dipper, Big River, Green Trees, Gypsy Rover, Hammer Song, If You Love Me, Purple Lights, Say Goodnight, Taps, Wee Baby Moon, My Paddle's Keen and Bright, Whooping Cough, Why Not 'N' Chu, Diamonds, Ghost Chickens, Magic Penny, Little Red Wagon, Louise, Pirate Song, Relax Your Mind, Murry the Rabbit Boy, Muffin Song, Super Lizard, Phoenix Song, and more.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
My conversation with a sixth grader
This last Wednesday, I had the opportunity to talk to a sixth grader that just got back from Outdoor School. She is a member of my church's youth group and I have only talked to her a few times. I didn't even know she went to ODS until she walked past me while wearing her wood cookie. That's right, she wore her wood cookie all day just because she liked the experience that much. I noticed a bead on the string and automatically knew it was from Bayleef (a girl SL that I worked with in the Fall). I got into a conversation with her about her 3 short days at Namanu. We shared stories and memories. She showed me her wood cookie so I could tell her all the student leaders that I knew. I asked which field study was her favorite. Plants with Lime. Which cabin she was in. Steens (I was in Steens last Fall). Then, we got to talking about how amazing ODS is. She told me she almost didn't get to go because there almost wasn't enough funding. She told me she wished she could have gone a full week. I agree. She should have gone a full week. Three days are fun, but a week makes an even greater difference. I could tell she had a great time and I just wish everyone could see how happy sixth graders are after their time at Outdoor School. It is a life changing experience that everyone should get the chance to have.
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