Post by Sarah McGlothlin Narrows Elementary Middle School 7th Grade Scienced Teacher
As I reflect on the Mountain Lake
Trail to Every Classroom workshop, I saw several benefits for myself and
coworkers. First of all, this was my
very first time being on the Appalachian Trial even though it is in my own
county. I felt a little overwhelmed by
the experience, because I was surrounded by other teachers with far greater
experience. Most of them were experienced
hikers, experienced Appalachian Trail day hikers, or Appalachian Trail section
hikers. Before this workshop, I didn't even know what clothes to bring or what type of bag I needed to
carry on the hike. It was a time to learn
the basics for me. I was the one who
needed to know what to expect/not expect on the trail, how to prepare for the
trail experience, and even how to incorporate it in my school.
As I reflect on the Mountain Lake
Trail to Every Classroom workshop, I saw several benefits for myself and
coworkers. First of all, this was my
very first time being on the Appalachian Trial even though it is in my own
county. I felt a little overwhelmed by
the experience, because I was surrounded by other teachers with far greater
experience. Most of them were experienced
hikers, experienced Appalachian Trail day hikers, or Appalachian Trail section
hikers. Before this workshop, I didn't even know what clothes to bring or what type of bag I needed to
carry on the hike. It was a time to learn
the basics for me. I was the one who
needed to know what to expect/not expect on the trail, how to prepare for the
trail experience, and even how to incorporate it in my school.
Secondly, I learned the trail could
be broken down. It always seemed so expansive
and inaccessible for someone with a lack of experience like myself. I never knew it could be broken down into a day
hike and that I could change it into a family event. Before this, the trail seemed like a get on a
one spot and stay on forever journey.
Luckily, since that hike I have learned it breaks down and even connects
with other trails..
I also built up the courage to take
my family members on a hike. We made a
day of it. Even though I took them on
the exact hike that I was shown at the workshop, I was different due to the
confidence I put myself to take on the leader position. I showed them a part of the trail they had
never experienced.
In addition, several of the
teachers at my school tried to schedule a hike for the children of our grade
level during June. It was not a hike on
the Appalachian Trail, but it was a short hike to a lovely waterfall in our
area called the Cascades.
 |
| Cascades is located in Pembroke, VA |
We had several events planned for
the students along the way to keep them occupied, rather than just hiking
alone. We were going to cover how to Leave No Trace, have them complete some tree identification with leaf
guides, and several other small tasks.
We felt like it would have been a great trip with some real life SOL
benefits. Mainly, we were focusing on
them getting out into their community while practicing the SOL skills that
could apply to their life.
Unfortunately, the trip was cancelled due to severe rains that day. Several of our students were very upset,
because they had looked forward to the outdoor activity. We did have some students who didn't come to
school that day, because they did not want to complete the physical
activity. It is our hope that we will be
able to do something very similar in the upcoming school year.
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