The Annual Camping Trip

This year the new school district is emphasizing evidence based practices. In other words we need to choose what we teach and how we teach based on research that informs us about what works rather than doing what has always been done. I welcome this change. There has been so much research done and ignored in education and it can be very frustrating.

Sometimes though, we have to do something without evidence. I cannot quantify the benefits that come from our annual camping trip, but I know that when the kids feel a sense of community and connectedness with the school, they try harder. I know that when they know that their parents and the parents of their friends are friendly, they are kinder to each other and feel safer together. And I know that when they connect learning with nature their minds open in ways that they cannot in a classroom.

Thanks to all of you who made the effort to be there, even in the rain. (A special wet welcome to the Briggs.) And thank you again Pam for all the work you put into getting the trip organized.