The intrepid fourth grade traveled to Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes Delaware recently for its overnight trip. It historically has been a vehicle for community building and has always been a wonderful way to start the year. The students strengthened old friendships and discovered new and interesting stories about one and other.
Upon arrival, they quickly acclimated to the cool windy weather and chilly water. They discovered how to seine in the Delaware Bay and delighted in lifting their catches from the net. Their marine nature guides shared their knowledge of the life of the ocean and bay and the plant and animal life that lives there.
The students later created observational watercolors perched on the local hawk watch platforms. A tradition for the fourth grade is an evening ceremony that takes place after sunset on the beach.
In prior weeks at school, the students had created beautiful colorful paper lanterns that were illuminated and bounced against the dark evening sky as they processed onto the beach. Once assembled they shared a dance that they choreographed and played instruments to the song, “Under the Moonlight.” Poems had been memorized and were recited that were emblematic of the wonder and beauty of the sea. A bonfire finished the evening where everyone shared their voices and joy.
In the early morning, we all watched the sun rise and one student observed, “It was like an egg yolk in the sky.”
Many games were played, family style meals shared and a morning filled with chasing waves, digging trenches and building sand castles, capped the end of our visit to this incredibly beautiful state park. Teachers and students came away from this trip well-nurtured, with a deeper bond and thoroughly exhausted.
No comments:
Post a Comment