Report on the HR Camp field trips 8th Grade Science Elective Classes

Written by Jay Butler, Douglas Middle School

Students in both the fall and spring semester courses have taken enrichment trips to the HR Camp in the mountains near Esterbrook. The curriculum has included habitat studies of this conifer forest ecosystem. In addition, students have participated in the camp’s team building activities that teach cooperation and the need to rely on each other to accomplish a challenge. The opportunity for young people to experience natural history and connect with each other in an outdoor setting is especially important in today’s modern “video game” society. The comments our Middle School kids put in their journals about these trips have been extremely positive, and we look forward to continuing the program.