From Sparks with Flint and Steel to Newfound Friendships, AMS CAP Students Light Up Their First Overnight Experience. Written by CI Field Instructor Monique Murillo.
Ms. Grillo’s Angevine Siddle School CAP class started the morning with fishing at Waneka Lake Park. After time spent by the water and a few fish caught, students made sandwiches in preparation for their first overnight. During their caravan, students played games and jokes were radioed back and forth between vans.
Upon arriving at Cheley, the location for the night, the group enjoyed lunch in the midst of aspens with full fall foliage, and then prepared to set up camp. Students broke out into rotating sessions to learn about macroinvertebrates in the creek and practice shelter building amongst the trees. The next break out session involved forming teams of three to create fires. Each group practiced making sparks with flint and steel and magnesium strikers, and then used matches if necessary to start their bundles of tinder. Afterwards, a few rounds of gaga ball commenced while dinner was made. These were followed by delicious s’mores and hot cocoa.
T
he evening continued with a night hike to a lovely clearing. To incorporate a fun science experiment, Ms. Grillo gave students skittles to guess their colors. She explained that cones are responsible for detecting color during daylight but do not function at night. Rods take over with visibility in grayscale, with lighter colors reflecting in white or light grays and darker colors in black. Students were also enthralled with the sparks created by chewing wintergreen mints in the dark. The group spread out to enjoy sit spots under the milky way, enjoying the opportunity to see a large shooting star.
In the morning, students made french toast over a fire! The group had a scavenger hunt to find things in nature like bearberry, mullein, yarrow, and animal tracks. After lunch, the group closed with a reflection activity. Students took turns tapping on the shoulders of peers in response to prompts like “tap the shoulder of someone you would call a friend after this trip” or “tap the shoulder of someone who made you laugh”. Students felt affirmed and encouraged as they ended their trip.
A big thanks to the funders and supporters that make the CAP class possible, including: Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, Patagonia, PeyBack Foundation, Strear Family Foundation, Thorne Nature Experience, Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program and the Xcel Energy Foundation.
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