Sixth Grade Camp 

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     Sixth Grade Camp is scheduled for March, 2013.

     Each Monday throughout the school year, more than 200 sixth grade boys and girls travel up Highway 79 to Camp Cuyamaca.  There, under the leadership of trained camp counselors and their classroom teachers, they explore their new environment in a thrilling and adventuresome learning experience.

     For five days, they live together in a camp and outdoor setting.  The students take an active part in planning their week, setting standards of behavior, and accepting the responsibilities that are a natural part of camping and outdoor living.

     The students grow in self-reliance and independence as they learn new skills by taking care of themselves.  Cooperation and consideration for others become the means for gaining greater rewards from camp activities.

     The friendly, relaxed atmosphere of the outdoors provides a climate wherein new friendships are made, and increased understanding and respect for others are developed.

LOCATION

     Camp Cuyamaca is at an elevation of 4100 feet.  It is about an hour and a quarter drive from our school, about nine miles north along Highway 79 off of Interstate 8.  The phone number to the camp office is 760-765-3000.

CURRICULUM

     The outdoor curriculum of the school camp program is a curriculum of action:  working, exploring, discovering, creating, growing, sharing, cooperating, and learning.

     This outdoor "classroom" includes many interesting places and things to study:  the hills, the valleys, the river, the heavens, the plants and animals, and the camper group.  The new tools are simple hand tools of the woodsman and craftsman:  shovels, files, chisels, hammers, drills, glue, and sandpaper.  The equipment they use is that of the discoverer:  maps, compasses, telescopes, and binoculars.  The methods they use are those of the scientist:  exploring, discovering, collecting, recognizing problems, planning, proposing, testing, investigating, and evaluating.

     In this outdoor school, the activities include studies in astronomy, geology, ecology, orienteering, Indian lore,  hiking, conservation, improving the forest, tracking animals, sharing experiences, and projects in rock and wood carving.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

     Upon arrival the first day of camp, students are randomly assigned to a cabin for their week's stay.  The boys' cabins are Northwind and Southwind, and the girls' cabins are Eastwind and Westwind.  Within each cabin, there are two bathrooms and four bedrooms.  Each bedroom sleeps approximately 20 children.  Beds and mattresses are provided in modern, heated facilities.
     There are six private shower stalls in each of the four cabins.  There is also a large meeting room in each cabin where children gather for cabin meetings, lessons, games, and evening story time.
     There will be a camp counselor staying in each cabin with the children every night; the students will not be left unattended.

TEACHERS

     I, along with the other teachers attending camp that week, will be at camp for the entire week, and on location 24 hours a day.  We will be joining the students three times each day for breakfast, lunch, and supper.  We will also be interacting with students throughout each day during classes, hikes, craft activities, recesses, journal sessions, evening programs and other unstructured free time.

CAFETERIA

     The following selections are some random samplings taken from the 2009-2010 school year menu.
   Breakfast:  eggs, sausage, toast, cereal, fresh fruit, pancakes, French toast, oatmeal, juice, milk.
   Lunch:  tacos, spaghetti, beans and franks, pizza, fish sticks, salad, potatoes, fruit, corn bread, toast, juice, milk.
   Supper:  roast turkey, burritos, fried chicken, lasagna, mashed potatoes, Spanish rice, broccoli spears, refried beans, salad, vegetable salad, bread, dessert, juice, milk.

INFIRMARY

     Located in the center of campus is the health office.  It is open 24 hours a day.  If children need to take medications to camp with them, those medications will be held in the health office, and children will have access to them when needed.  Likewise, if children become sick, they will be cared for by the nurse on duty.

WHAT TO BRING

     The following is a list of recommended gear and clothing for school camp.  Please mark names on all items of clothing and equipment.

Bedding:  sleeping bag or blankets and sheets, pillow and pillowcase

Bath:  towels, washrags, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, tissues, lip balm, lotion, shower shoes, shampoo, laundry bag

Clothing:  heavy coat, sweater, two pairs of shoes (preferably water-resistant), long pants, t-shirts and/or sport shirts, underwear, socks, hat, pajamas, slippers, belt, bathrobe, and for winter months - raincoat, galoshes, gloves

Miscellaneous:  camera, film, leisure reading books, playing cards, stamped post cards or envelopes, stationery, stuffed animals

     Certain items should not be brought to outdoor school.
DO NOT BRING:  money, candy, gum, food of any kind, flashlights, knives, matches, hair spray or any other spray items, radios, walkmans, cell phones, ipods, electronic games, hair dryers, makeup, perfume, curling irons.  Aside from watches or cameras, no item that requires a plug or batteries should be brought to camp.  If brought, these items will be confiscated by camp staff upon students' arrival.

WHAT IF I DON'T GO?

     Camp attendance is not a mandatory requirement of the sixth grade curriculum.  Students who choose not to participate will be provided a classroom with a teacher at school.  Their schedule will be somewhat altered as they may not be attending their PE classes at their regularly scheduled periods.  The activities for the week are determined by the teacher in charge of that class.  Normally, it is a more relaxed schedule than usual and consists of lighter, less-structured activities.