An Outdoor Classroom

After this week, I don't know how I'm going to work inside anymore.

I try with all my being to not complain too much about the classroom in which I teach.  The room is small and contains no windows.  After my first year of teaching, I coated the gray walls with a bright yellow color (Honey Butter, to be exact) and that seems to give the room a cheery tone anyway.  However, if I had my say, I would have visual access to the outdoors from my choral-director's hangout.

This week was different.  This week, I got to spend most all day every day outside.  It was glorious.  At a camp called High Trails up near Florissant, CO, I spent the last few days roaming the wooded hills and rolling meadows with fellow teachers, high school counselors, 6th graders, and High Trails staffers.  I love this experience and look forward to it every year.

This year was the best so far.  The weather was absolutely pristine.  The aspen trees were beginning to turn and the blazing yellow leaves danced happily against the backdrop of rich green pine trees.  The air was warm but a cool breeze was often present as well.  Wildlife was active and made our daily  hikes adventurous.  Perhaps the most unique thing I saw was a huge, unusual-looking grasshopper with a large, white egg sack billowing out its backside. 

I love the role playing that goes on at High Trails.  This year, I was assigned to the Prospectors discovery group.  This track is dedicated to helping students learn about rocks and minerals and about the history of prospecting in Colorado.  Every day, the High Trails staffer and high school students in charge of this discovery group dressed as old-timey prospectors in overalls, plaid shirts, and beat up hats.  They put on little skits and made students search and dig for rocks and minerals as we made our way around the wilderness.  Almost everywhere we were, we could clearly see the west side of Pikes Peak, looming large over the yellow and green hills below. 

The food, fun, and fellowship at High Trails was also delightful.  Every morning, the best homemade granola I've ever had was set out along with a ton of other yummy items.  We all ate family style and were served by 6th graders who took turns being "able waiters". 

I'm rambling at this point.  The point is, I had an amazing week and wish I never had to work inside after getting to spend so much time outdoors.  There is something calming, refreshing, and life-giving about being outside in nature.  There is something even more powerful about getting to share nature with others, especially 6th graders who are eager learners and provide a unique perspective to the experience. 

Before I sign off, I must also mention the stars.  The stars were so incredibly magnificent in the clear autumn sky away from all the pollution and lighting of the city.  When I saw the stars this week, it was all I could do to not thank God out loud for the amazing display.  I at least prasied Him in my heart.

So, that's all for now.  I am quite tired and need to ready for bed.  I'm glad I have a job and my classroom at school, but I just might have to figure out how to transport my music classes outside...at least until the first signs of winter arrive.