Week After!

Finally our week at Camp Huntington came to an end. Life has returned to normal in Tully. My fiance doesn't have to cook his own dinner any more. The dog won't be alone at night. The cat, well, she didn't care one way or the other. I on the other hand, have kept part of camp with me. It's not the Adirondack history or the ropes course, however, it's the idea that a new way to live is coming. I'm looking at the threat of Peak Oil, and trying not to walk past liter on the ground. I think I'm becoming more active in the fight for our environment and am certainly more concerned about my part in the destruction of our planet. I've already talked to my fiance about 'going green' with our house, and have found myself reading more and more about it.
As hard as it was to take the risk and go to this camp, I truly believe I'm better for it. Other than the fact that being around Leslie has most likely sent me to hell. I consider a college course a good one when you keep thinking about it long after the course is over...and it's not just the Soft Serve story either. :)
So, thank you for this opportunity, as educators you lived up to your title. We all left knowing and caring more about alternative energy, and environmental concerns that affect all of us. So, to put into action what I've learned, I'm going to shut off my computer, and go make zucchini bread and freeze it for the winter. Never doubt a country girl, even when she wears make-up in the woods. Ha!

One last day...

Today I had a blast on the ropes course! It was exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. I was able to take some great pictures too. The weather started out a little cool and cloudy, but it turned out to be a somewhat nice day. We had a history lesson about Bob Sledding, hatred for Hebrews, and the Adirondack's. Not sure how this was tied into the course, but our lecturer was at least entertaining.
Tonight's bittersweet. I made some good friends, or at least interesting! I certainly miss home and am ready to head out. It has been a great experience here and for the most part I have enjoyed my time. I love history and have delighted in learning the history of the Adirondack's; I hope to visit often, at least each summer. Well, swimming at the kayak dock, everyone's in. Better go! Free time has been limited and ya gotta get it while 'ya can!!

Day 4

Yawn again! How can I be this tired! I'm certainly a self-proclaimed information junkie and I've loved all the new information. My body, however, is feeling overwhelmed. We had a couple of great opportunities today to visit the Adirondack Museum and the a wildlife museum. I had never been to either place and it was great to see more of the Adirondack's. We had little time at the Adirondack Museum and I hope that I will be able to visit it again on my own in the future.

Tonight we saw Karl's presentation on Green For All. It really got me thinking about jobs like my father's and brother's. They are carpenters by trade, and work has been very slow lately. My father owns his own business; perhaps green energy might be a market they could get a step up on. I worry about both of them.

I'm also trying to make a link between Green For All and my fiance's job. He does ground construction, water lines, sewer mains, etc. I'm curious as to how his job would be affected. I am however, very happy to hear that trade and service jobs are not a think of the past. Collage is not for everyone, and in fact, student loans make starting out in life a very slow process.

Well once again, my history-geek side was pacified today. I'm happy. A good book and an email from home will make my night. :)
Tomorrow I look forward to doing more work on my project with Amanda. We have a good start, and I'm hoping we'll have good weather tomorrow so we can be as productive as possible. -Not telling what the project is yet...shhhhh....it's a secret still! It keeps things exciting!!

Day 3...back, back, forth and forth

Holy smokes am I drained. Hiking Bear Mtn today was crazy. It was a huge struggle getting up to the top, exspecially climbing up the rocks. I was hot, exhausted and sweaty when we reached the top, but also proud of the accomplishment. My Marine fiance would have been proud of me, and jealous! We also visited Ferd's Bog which was a short but impressive trip. I've been to a bog before and was excited about the opportunity to see pictures of underneath the bog, I think that's perhaps on tomorrows agenda. In addition, we also met and had class time with Dr. Slade and Ed Kuntz. Very cool guys with great messages for us. Kuntz is a live in the moment guy, while Dr. Slade has his eyes on the future. Both with the same message. I enjoyed Kuntz writing activity and have done exercises like that in the past. I do enjoy writing, as well as reading good writing. My blogs are terrible examples of my writing. All business, no filler. I also truly support Dr. Slade's idea, that also messes with Tim's, what we need is kids who think, not kids who only listen.

A bird sings loudly ignoring our company, as old wooden cabins show signs of rot, age and mold. These signs of life are their beauty marks, as old life is as captivating as new. Ignore the pumps, the highway, the cell phone towers and jackhammers; for it's the sights and sounds of a wind turbine that really pisses off Americans. Put the elderly in a home and forget about them and their beauty marks; celebrate the birth of a baby, clean, fresh and full of promise. But, frown upon wind power as we restore cabins built by prominent men of the past. In America, the future repeats itself.

Day 2

Today was much more enjoyable than yesterday; however, with little sleep last night I didn't last long. It was a nice change of pace to attend our book discussion in the Metcalf cabin. It seems we all have a lot to say...imagine that! We had the opportunity to take a short hike and it was very nice. After lunch we went canoeing and then had some free time to enjoy. I've become good friends with a classmate named Amanda and we had a great time on the water. It is amazing to me how, although I've looked at this time as a class, and we have been busy, but just being in this setting is relaxing and almost good for-the-soul feeling. Perhaps for my project I will investigate that further. Children undoubtedly also benefit from from being in the outdoors.

DAY 1

Yawn!!! Day one and it's already been a very full day! The historical aspect of what we've done and learned today is fantastic. I'm a history geek by nature so I thoroughly enjoyed our guided tour. We watched part of America's Castles, and then explored Adirondack Literature From a writer/history geek's perspective, I can't help but wonder what doors could be open up for students and their writing if they start looking around their surroundings with love, dedication, and the ability to write a good piece of literature based on their experiences in their own towns, cities, and even suburban neighborhoods. After all, look at all the attention the middle of nowhere received after some well written stories (based on interesting material ) where published. It's the ability to turn America's eye to a world familiar to students...cool!!

First Post...

Hello, I'm Shala Caughey and I am enrolled in the July 2010 Adk. course. I'm taking this course because I needed an elective for my M.S.ED degree and this sounds like fun...minus the 'I don't know any one' part.
I am a teacher and I am teaching 3rd grade again for my second year. I have also taught 4th and 5th. I went into teaching for the opposite reason that most people join this profession; instead of having a wonderful teacher who inspired me, I had a couple terrible teachers who inspired me. Two of my 6th grade teachers were cruel, miserable and degrading to students. They were my inspiration. Even as a 6th grader I knew that if I were a teacher, I'd NEVER treat students like they did. And, I never have.
My professional goals are quite simple: do the best I can in any position I am teaching, and be the one to make a child's day, not the one who ruins it. I would also eventually like to work more with curriculum and perhaps work with my school to create integrated curriculum programs for all grades. I know that teaching will be my career; it's the only "job" I've ever had that's never felt like work. It's just a part of who I am, and I'm a better person for it. I may stray at some point partake in Past-Life Regression Therapy (I know that makes me sound kooky but I'm fascinated by it), but will return to teaching. I'd be lost if I wasn't teaching!
My goals for this course are to make some new friends, learn more about myself, enjoy my time away from technology, and not let my bad shoulder ruin any of the activities we may do. I also am extremely interested in the history aspect of this course, as I am a self-proclaimed history geek. I would also like to more ways to incorporate the outdoors with my teachings; it kills me to be inside the classroom learning about water cycles when it's 80 degrees and sunny out!!