Students spent the first day at Ruch Outdoor Community School mastering archery skills, building nature shelters, and experimenting with hands-on fire models organized by Southern Oregon Fire Ecology Education.
On day 2, students traveled to Cantrall Buckley Park to engage in riparian lessons with the Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council. Stations included macroinvertebrate sampling, stream water testing, salmon anatomy, and planting native willow clippings.
The last day included a hike to the infamous Bigfoot Trap on Collings Mountain Trail near the Applegate Lake. Rumors will circulate about a possible sighting, bizarre noises in the brush, or "ape-like" shadows roaming the hillside. Whatever stories you hear, lots of fun was had as students dug into their place with a new appreciation for the natural world.
Thank you to all the volunteers, students and staff at Wilson Elementary School for a wonderful time! See you next year!