|
|
|
|
Camping |
|
 |
|
|
|
 "The 2,860 acres give me the space to go off and explore with friends. It makes this place so much more than just a school with great teachers." ~Colin Weaver `09 (Thinking Beyond Borders)
Camping trips go out frequently, as both educational and recreational events. Each class has a designated number of trips, of varying intensity, that they will complete during the school year. Some of these trips focus on academic issues, such as studying tide pools or rock formations, while others are more about just being outside with peers, stars, and a campfire. Trips range from overnighters on our property, to three or four night excursions into the neighboring Los Padres National Forest. The rewards are many, including stopping at a swimming hole in the Sisquoc River, a simple campfire, or spending time with classmates in the brisk mountain air.One of the many unique qualities of Midland, the camping and outdoor program is integrated into the fabric of the school. We don't send classes out for a week or two, only to come back to their "real" school and leave the outdoors behind. Midland students live every day in the outdoors, and we're convinced that this daily interaction with wilderness--oaks, canyons, birds, stars--gets into the blood of each of us, and becomes the foundation for a life-long relationship with the natural world.
|
|
|
Geology Camping Trip |
|
 |
|
Laurie Munger's geology class: Irvin Alvarez '12, Merlin Plumbley '12, Kendrick Holmes '12, Dan Brownstein '13, Savannah Bryant '12, Lily Brand '12, and Kendall Cook '13, plus Anna Paris-Behr '12 from last year's class, hiked down the Manzana Creek to Midland's 10 acres in the Los Padres National Forest. Laurie shares, "We went to observe, and map, the confluence of the Manzana Creek with the Sisquoc River. We also looked at a recent alluvial fan deposited at the base of the stream draining Wheat Peak - a steep mountain above the confluence of the two streams. The highlight of the trip was hearing a mountain lion cry very nearby just as we were heading to bed our second night out. We all felt better knowing that Merlin moved his sleeping bag from across the creek to join the rest of the class after the lion made its presence known."
|
|
Freshmen Camp on Midland's Property |
|
|
|
The 9th graders wrapped up the term with a four day backpacking trip to
the 10 acre Midland inholding within the San Rafael Wilderness. The
group spent the past few weeks preparing for the trip by creating menus,
preparing group gear, practicing knots, learning how to pack their
packs and set up tents...
After the 8 mile hike into camp, complete with 28 creek
crossings, the group set up tents and settled into camp. While in the
field, various faculty came out to host classes designed to connect the
students' wilderness experience with their academics. Johnny Ninos led
an Andy Goldsworthy inspired environmental art project, Paul Gelles
hosted an evening Spanish lesson around the fire in order to prepare
students for the arrival of our guests from Mexico, Derek Harwell '88
taught the students how to use dichotomous keys in order to identify the
trees in the area, and Ben Munger '79 rode his motorcycle out for the
day in order to deliver Valentine's Day chocolate treats and hike
students to the confluence with the Sisquoc to give a History lesson and explore remains of the
old homestead sites. Also on the trip working diligently and patiently
with students were Cory Cramer and Kyle Taylor.
While they had some sun every day on the trip,
students also endured daily doses of cold temperatures, rain, and wind.
All students were well prepared and stayed warm, dry, and well fed
throughout the trip. They baked brownies and cornbread over the fire,
explored Talei Cody's family property (which is one
of two remaining active homesteads - the other belonging to the Wells family - in the area), explored and went for a
dip in the creek, and had much time around the fire. Click here to view downloadable photos in a Picasa album.
|
|
Hard Luck Camping for Sophomores |
|
|
|
In February, the sophomores took advantage of being a small and agile class by taking a hard luck camping trip to Oceano Dunes SVRA. The group left after dinner on Saturday for the hour drive to the beach. From there, they drove a couple of miles on the beach before setting up camp. S'mores, night bocce, running around on the dunes, some quiet contemplation on the beach, and a visit to the mobile beach store "Banana Cabana" (with tagline: "we've got what you need"). On the way home they took a cultural detour for our Chinese students to have their first ever Denny's experience... none felt ready to try the grand slam breakfast.
|
|
Outdoor Leadership at Joshua Tree November 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
Outdoor Leadership took their final trip of the fall season, a four day adventure in Joshua Tree National Park. The group encountered rain, wind, and cold temperatures, all of which they were prepared for with everyone staying warm and dry throughout. Faculty members Derek Harwell '88 and Cory Cramer went on the trip along with freshmen Claire Conlon, Talei McCloud, Anthony Tamaribuchi, Bryce Bryant, Cole Lucas, Cody Radlick, Oliver Rothenberg and senior Kendrick Holmes. Click here to see some great photos. Derek states, "The benefit of braving the challenging conditions is that it deterred many other potential visitors such that we felt like we had the place to ourselves. On the third day of the trip, we met up with Chris and Jeremy from the Joshua Tree Trail Crew to spend a day working on the Skull Rock Trail. The group trimmed overhanging brush from the trail, relined the edges, and helped to scout out a new connecter trail. For their efforts, the students got to put forth some suggestions for the new trail name."
"Of course, being in Joshua Tree, there was much scrambling and exploring the rock formations to be had. Students explored caverns and climbed up to spectacular view spots. On one of the scrambles we encountered an area of artistic rock arrangements."
|
|
|
9th Graders Go Camping |
|
|
|
In October, the 9th graders headed out on their first "hard luck" camping trip to "Grassy Knolls." The group left after dinner with packs and headlamps, laughing and singing their way up the hill. Students spent the evening learning about stars and the phases of the moon before some solo journal time to reflect upon the culmination of their first month as a Midland student. In the morning, the group rose to watch the sunrise and hike down to campus for a breakfast of eggs and pancakes.
|
|
Camping Trip for Seniors |
|
|
|
|
|
January 26-28th, 2011, seniors Mara Gabriel, Ruby Goldberg, Daniel Nimmo and faculty member Laurie Munger went camping at the Manzana. They stayed at Coldwater Campground both nights and took a short hike to Horseshoe Bend Campground. The weather was warm during the day and cold at night. It was perfect timing for the three seniors to get away after completing a busy first semester.
|
|
|
|