Nature’s Classroom Brings Outdoors and Academics to Life

Generally parents would admonish their children to be wary of the burly man, dressed like a wizard, complete with cape, hiking through the woods.

But the excitement of ‘GWhiz’ was contagious as he recently led a group of sixth-graders on a hike, stopping at every opportunity to teach kids about acorns, how to side-step down steep terrain, to save them from a dead tree that could fall at any moment or to seek high ground in a flash flood.

GWhiz, or Glenn Humphrey, is a counselor with Nature’s Classroom, a residential environmental program Canton Intermediate School’s sixth-graders participated in at Camp Jewell in Colebrook. 

On the hike, Humphrey led his group to a dramatic summit at Camp Jewell in Colebrook but used the trek back as more than a way to get the students from point B to Point A.

Nearly every turn revealed a teaching opportunity. The colorful clothing accented the week’s theme but also his overflowing enthusiasm.

“I tend to go with a theme because it’s very kid friendly,” he said. “When you’re having fun you retain stuff more.”

The week involved more than just hiking and observing nature. Physics, math and science lessons were incorporated into fun activities. Generally done in the fall, this year's program was delayed by the snow storm so the kids spent the four days prior to Good Friday at the camp. 

The program is a good fit for students and is tailored just for Canton, school staff said. 

“We have the chance to align our curriculum to what they offer,” said Patrick Allen, the CIS sixth-grader who helped coordinate the program from the school’s end. “It’s basically to bring children to nature and learn about the environment.”

Diana Hiza, special education teacher at Canton Intermediate School and another coordinator, said the program is also good for her students.

“Our kids do really well here,” Hiza said.

After each major activity during the four days, students gathered in a common area where they were given any relevant updates, were counted and then got some down time to try the climbing wall, larger-than-life slide, visit the farm or play games like the popular ga-ga ball, a version of dodge ball.

Even meal times came with some lessons. Students had the chance to share positive experiences and food waste, or Ort, was tracked and charted.

“I learned not to waste so much food,” student Brina Donovan said.

Student Finn Begley said one of his favorite activities was constructing a temporary life-size bridge. The group had to learn how to make it stand by just pressing materials together in the right way.

“Your goal was to walk across it and it was really cool,” he said.

Harry Mitchell enjoyed the indoor rock climbing wall and the hike to the summit, where he could see the whole camp.

“I wish I was there right now,” he said a week after the trip.

Erin Fay and Linnea Fiedler-Hoerle loved the mutual respect given to the students.

“They listened to our ideas,” Fiedler-Hoerle said.

Katie Mankowski said she really enjoyed the games of tag, field groups and learning about the different types of trees,

“I think it was really neat,” she said.

Donovan said some students missed their parents but the counselors and teachers did a good job providing solutions. 

“The teachers really made it fun,” she said. “It was a fantastic experience. “