AXL Students Appreciate Opportunities for “Turning Over a New Leaf” During their Overnight Camping Trip at Cheley. Written by CI Field Instructor Monique Murillo.
Stirring with nervous excitement, Ms. Esqueda’s AXL Academy 8th-grade CAP class students gathered around to prepare for their overnight trip, checking gear and playing a few games in front of the school. Eager to listen to their class’s compiled playlist, they embarked to Cheley Outpost. Once there, the students broke off into their groups to assemble their tents, and some decorated with fairy lights. Once finished, all the students joined together for a few rounds of gaga ball.
To introduce orienteering, instructors had the group stand up, spin around with their eyes closed, then turn their bodies in the direction they believed was north. The group discussed the direction the sun rises and sets as a helpful tool for navigation as well as surrounding land features. Miss Esqueda brought out a map, explaining how topographic lines are used to indicate steepness. She also showed other features to help students with basic map reading. As a way to celebrate one student’s birthday, the group went on a scavenger hunt utilizing topographic maps of the area. They used the road and the stream to help navigate to the location where some items were hidden to celebrate. It didn’t take long for them to discover brownies, whipped cream, and sprinkles!
The group initiated their own quiet game, using hand signals to try to communicate. Then, students who were willing to participate engaged in a challenge activity called Turning Over a New Leaf. The goal was for the group to turn over the tarp they were standing on without touching the ground. It provided a great opportunity for the students to communicate with each other and delegate leadership. After many attempts, the group succeeded! Then, the students made delicious ramen for dinner, followed by stories and s’mores around the campfire. With approaching nightfall and dropping temperatures, students grabbed layers for a night hike and soon headed to bed.
In the morning, the students made French toast with fruit for breakfast. Afterwards, they headed to Estes Park to go fishing, seeing some elk in the meadows along the way to the lake. The students ran towards the playground equipment, laughing and playing together, while instructors set up fishing equipment. The students had a lesson on how to cast and then scattered along the shores with their poles to fish. Some even caught a few trout! Once some time had passed, students came together to make sandwiches under the shelter and then trickled back to the vans to head back home, with an appreciation for their recent opportunities to “turn over a new leaf” together.
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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