Fifth Grade Transitions Camp

There is no greater experience for a child than to roll up the sleeves, be able to get dirty and experience the feeling of freedom and control in an outdoor educational setting. On Monday, May 9, 2016, 270 fifth grade students from the district’s six elementary schools said goodbye to their parents, loaded up on 14 busses and traveled to the Heartland Outdoor School for an outdoor educational experience of a lifetime.  For the first time, all six elementary schools converged together for three days and two nights to experience nature's classroom.

Creek Habitat Study

 

Using field sampling techniques, students had the opportunity to capture and identify macro-invertebrates, fish species and the always popular crawfish. Discovering how these organisms were tied to each other in a stream ecosystem and how the different types of organisms can be used to gauge the health of a stream will give students a better understanding of biological principles that they will learn in their middle school science classes.

Wilderness Survival Skills

Teamwork and cooperation were paramount when learning to deal with a survival situation in the wilderness. Our fifth graders were given a task to construct an emergency shelter capable of keeping three students safe from the elements. When structures were completed students were able to experience the attempt to start a campfire using a steel striker, steel wool and twigs the size of pencil lead. While mother nature was uncooperative with the wet conditions, students had fun trying to get the flame started.

 

Leadership in Action

Communication and cooperative skills were put to the test as student teams had to attempt to build structures of various difficulty levels out of PVC pipe. Only one student, the architect, was able to see the design on paper but not assist in the construction. The architect was only able to communicate the design verbally with one other student, the job foreman. The foreman then ran back and communicated his directions to the group as they attempted to build the structure to match the design of the architect.

Reptiles and Amphibians

The Heartland staff instructed the fifth graders about the physical differences between reptiles and amphibians and their habitats in the nature center. The instructor gave detailed instructions on the proper way to handle each of the species.  Students were able to view and handle a Blue-Tongued Skink, native to Australia, and three species native to North America: a painted box turtle, a large toad and a corn snake.

Archery

Again, science was emphasized in the archery class as staff instructed students on the potential and kinetic energy involved in shooting a bow. Students were trained on archery safety, handling a bow and arrow as well as shooting skills by a certified archery instructor. Students were excited to shoot and experience something many had never done before.

Evening Activities

 

Evening activities included an indoor camp olympics, an evening hike, campfire complete with stories and songs as well as a dance. Mount Vernon High School Orchestra and Band performed several sets for the fifth graders and they were challenged by superintendent, Bill Seder, to get involved in the music programs once they settled into the sixth grade. Studies show that students who are actively involved with extracurricular activities or clubs experience greater success and fulfillment while in school.

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While some students may have been apprehensive of leaving home on Monday, students were not eager to head back to school on Wednesday. Camp was truly a positive adventure for our fifth graders. The relationships that students developed with each other and faculty will last long into their transition to the middle school.

The district would like to extend our thanks to Ohio Heartland Camp for their training and expertise in serving our students and staff. The number one rule of the week was Respect and this was exemplified and reminded numerous times in all activities by the Ohio Heartland Staff. We also want to thank our parents and school PTA/Booster organizations for helping raise funds for their individual buildings. A special thank-you goes to the Ariel Foundation in support of our Transition Programming and the continued support of Mount Vernon City Schools initiatives.