Wednesday, February 11

More Sunshine! Today is absolutely a glorious day. Everyone slept well after their busy day yesterday and were just a bit less eager to get up. Your children are doing so well and are having so much fun! I can't express to you enough all of the compliments we continue to receive about Country Lane 5th graders' model behavior, enthusiasm, and wonder. They are getting quite used to the new routine and becoming independent by; showering, dressing, making up their bunks, and clearing dishes for each other. Groups have opportunities to sweep floors, do extra clean up duty, and help maintain the composting program. Students added to their journals this morning and had their daily meeting. Breakfast included pancakes with blueberry syrup, sausage, a fresh fruit bar, cereal, and hot oatmeal. We are definitely not going hungry! Better yet, we don't have to do any of the cooking! One parent chaperone was heard saying, "This is a beautiful thing!"  As we headed out for our morning hike, students were surprised by a visit from our Principal, Mrs. Ruddy, and Vice Principal, Mrs. Armann.  Thank you for coming out to see us!

Hiking groups came back so excited. Students shared stories of hiking through the woods, kissing banana slugs, and eating an entire apple (Hard Core Apple Core Club). Some groups experienced Solo Walks where students walk single file with large gaps separating them. This gives them an opportunity to observe and listen very closely to nature. One group hiked to a vista of the San Francisco Bay and explored bluffs and our intertidal tide pool lab. Others collected photo plankton from our lagoon and went to the microscope lab. “Newt Nation” was a fun place to observe these fun little amphibians.  Many groups were able to visit the Marine Mammal Center today.  Students learned the difference between a seal and sea lion and observed many rescued pups rehabilitating.

Free time is only an hour, and our students never seem to lose their energy. Parent chaperones take groups to the beach, basketball and volleyball are available, and of course just down time in their dorms.

Tonight we had another delicious dinner. Tonight was homemade biscuits, steamed broccoli, and baked mac’n cheese night.  A full salad bar was available with all the options. After a quick evening meeting, our students broke into groups to listen to Marine Mammal Myths. Students were challenged to create skits about various mammals. A few groups went on the night hike, and two groups prepared for their Muir Woods trip for tomorrow.  Wow!  Only one more full day at camp!