Hamilton Reef
03-15-2004, 04:48 PM
8th grade class tries winter camping
By A.M. KELLEY, Mining Journal Staff Writer
Monday, March 15, 2004
NEGAUNEE — It was a “survivor” episode U.P.-style as a hale and hardy group of Negaunee Middle School students marched into the woods last week for an overnight campout.
Their fearless leader, science teacher Chuck Delpier, claims there’s nothing like camping in the winter.
“There’s no bugs,” he said. “It’s wonderful.”
How wonderful is it?
As his 15 eighth grade charges strapped on snow shoes and adjusted their mammoth backpacks Tuesday morning it was clear they had bought his pitch — hook, line and sinker.
“It will be quite a blast,” said 13-year-old Barry Eheman.
And Jordan Sedlacek, 14, reassured no one in particular with these words, “It’s supposed to be warm,” as she hoisted and teetered under the weight of a 35-pound pack. Sedlacek weighs all of 130 pounds herself.
The crew was heavy on equipment: tents, sleeping bags, extra clothing, food, drinking water and essential carbonated soft drinks and personal can’t-live-without treats.
The overnighter is the highlight of a semester-long course, “environmental adventures” which Delpier has been teaching for eight years.
The hike takes the students and three adult chaperones about a mile down the Wetmore Pond trail off Co. Rd. 550 to a sheltered camping spot at the base of Hogback Mountain.
“It’s nearly surrounded by little hills,” Delpier said. “The wind is blocked. There are hemlocks and a stream.”
Because water purifiers are difficult to use in the winter — the filters freeze — he recommends each camper carry in three quarts.
The campers rehearse for the experience and build skills in the classroom before heading into the woods.
They learn to use compasses and make bear ropes, contraptions to lift food off the ground up into trees safe from the reach of bears. They study nutrition and learn what kind of foods travel well in packs, and practice cooking on camp stoves. And clothing is always an important issue.
“(The weather) is different every time we go,” Delpier said. “It can be brutal.”
Last week’s trip challenged the students with strong winds, rain and snow.
After setting up camp they hiked to the top of Hogback.
“I keep them moving all day,” Delpier said. “They’re worn out at the end of the day, and yes, they sleep.”
Sleeping was a bit controversial on this trip as one of the tent carriers forgot to pack its poles. The other students had to share their shelters and there was less room for all.
This was the only complaint the following day as the troupe emerged from the woods with a mixture of pride and tiredness.
Even Tony Fetterhoff, 14, who got cold during the night had no regrets. He said the campout was fun.
“(The students) gain an appreciation of the outdoors. They come to understand how their actions impact the environment,” Delpier said. “and we have fun out there.”
He wrote grants to purchase the cook stoves, sleeping pads, backpacks, tents and snowshoes. When not in use by his students, the school rents the equipment to community groups and uses the income for maintenance and repairs.
By A.M. KELLEY, Mining Journal Staff Writer
Monday, March 15, 2004
NEGAUNEE — It was a “survivor” episode U.P.-style as a hale and hardy group of Negaunee Middle School students marched into the woods last week for an overnight campout.
Their fearless leader, science teacher Chuck Delpier, claims there’s nothing like camping in the winter.
“There’s no bugs,” he said. “It’s wonderful.”
How wonderful is it?
As his 15 eighth grade charges strapped on snow shoes and adjusted their mammoth backpacks Tuesday morning it was clear they had bought his pitch — hook, line and sinker.
“It will be quite a blast,” said 13-year-old Barry Eheman.
And Jordan Sedlacek, 14, reassured no one in particular with these words, “It’s supposed to be warm,” as she hoisted and teetered under the weight of a 35-pound pack. Sedlacek weighs all of 130 pounds herself.
The crew was heavy on equipment: tents, sleeping bags, extra clothing, food, drinking water and essential carbonated soft drinks and personal can’t-live-without treats.
The overnighter is the highlight of a semester-long course, “environmental adventures” which Delpier has been teaching for eight years.
The hike takes the students and three adult chaperones about a mile down the Wetmore Pond trail off Co. Rd. 550 to a sheltered camping spot at the base of Hogback Mountain.
“It’s nearly surrounded by little hills,” Delpier said. “The wind is blocked. There are hemlocks and a stream.”
Because water purifiers are difficult to use in the winter — the filters freeze — he recommends each camper carry in three quarts.
The campers rehearse for the experience and build skills in the classroom before heading into the woods.
They learn to use compasses and make bear ropes, contraptions to lift food off the ground up into trees safe from the reach of bears. They study nutrition and learn what kind of foods travel well in packs, and practice cooking on camp stoves. And clothing is always an important issue.
“(The weather) is different every time we go,” Delpier said. “It can be brutal.”
Last week’s trip challenged the students with strong winds, rain and snow.
After setting up camp they hiked to the top of Hogback.
“I keep them moving all day,” Delpier said. “They’re worn out at the end of the day, and yes, they sleep.”
Sleeping was a bit controversial on this trip as one of the tent carriers forgot to pack its poles. The other students had to share their shelters and there was less room for all.
This was the only complaint the following day as the troupe emerged from the woods with a mixture of pride and tiredness.
Even Tony Fetterhoff, 14, who got cold during the night had no regrets. He said the campout was fun.
“(The students) gain an appreciation of the outdoors. They come to understand how their actions impact the environment,” Delpier said. “and we have fun out there.”
He wrote grants to purchase the cook stoves, sleeping pads, backpacks, tents and snowshoes. When not in use by his students, the school rents the equipment to community groups and uses the income for maintenance and repairs.