I had the lovely privilege of being able to attend the other Learn to Camp’s program, the overnighter at Fort Langley. The first Learn to Camp program that I participated in was an afternoon program.  Therefore I was really excited to be able to participate in the full overnight program.  The days leading up to the program were full of excitement with last-minute prep and details.

When the day of the event finally arrived, I spent my morning packing.  When I arrived, I wasn’t sure at all what to expect.  The Learn to Camp program focuses on the education aspect of camping.  However, as anyone in education will tell you, prior knowledge can range so widely that it’s hard to make sure that you are challenging enough, while still managing to reach out to the members of the audience who may have no previous experience at all!  I was really fortunate that the other CFE teacher candidate at the Fort Langley site had planned all of the crafts and the activities!  This was another interesting experience where I felt as if I were a TOC in a classroom.  I had all of the equipment and all of the lesson plans, however, I wasn’t the person who had planned all of the activities.

Fortunately the program was a huge success!  I felt my big a-ha moment when everyone was eating breakfast.  As I looked around the eating tent, the families were sitting among each other, talking and laughing, when only yesterday they were complete strangers.  Often when we go to events, it’s the memories and the friendships we create that last the longest.  Although I understand that the challenge of ‘surviving the outdoors’ was a reason for the families uniting, I fully believe that you can make your classroom have the same feel.  Education should be about more than just the subjects you are teaching, or the projects you are able to accomplish.  If you are able to learn something, as well as become involved a community of caring people, that is what I think education truly is.