Kim Strothman also instructs and aids in archery activities. Here she has quite a line trying their first shots.

This keepsake was completed 45 minutes. These beautiful tongue and grove pieces have replaced the barn siding originally used. It is nearly impossible to find old beveled barn siding these days.

The New London Sixth Grade Campout began 50 years ago.

Mr. Bob Wehrle, a sixth-grade teacher at Clark, attended many conservation workshops that were popular in the 1970s, affectionally known as the “Hug a Tree” era.,

Bob and fellow teacher, John Carhoff put together a plan, introduced the idea to the School Board, gathered parents and other teachers producing the first ever overnight outdoor fun and educational campout in Iowa.

The campout is still at YMCA Camp McBride north of Burlington. Their lodge, lake and assistance has been crucial in the success of the campout.

After Wehrle’s retirement, New London was fortunate enough to have many teachers step up and support the continuation of the campout.

The campout has undergone several changes: menus, activities, where and how students sleep and number of days.

What has not changed are the core objectives of fun, hands on learning, and providing new and challenging experiences for students.

The ideas of up-and-coming educational leaders have kept the campout relevant to the changing times. The administration and school board of the NLCSD recognize the educational importance of the activity and support it actively.

Another enduring factor has been that former campout students lend the expertise and lead activities loved by the students.

Henry, Des Moines and DNR personnel also challenge students on their knowledge of Iowa wildlife and initiatives in solving both urban and agricultural conservation issues.

Mr. Austin Burns is currently the leader of the campout. He brought with him a great deal of knowledge and experience from other summer camps he counseled.

He organizes activities, sets times and methods and in general oversees everything. Money is raised by operating the concession stand at sporting events.

One can easily see how the success of the campout is dependent on year-round work and planning.

New London has tried to follow the format set by Bob Wehrle. The sixth grades classes go to Lake McBride in separate groups. This keeps the groups for the activities smaller and more personal. The groups are Wind, Rain, Sun, Earth.

This year, the campout began with one class attending Tuesday and Wednesday and ended with the second class Thursday and Friday.

As you read the following, decide if you could possibly keep up with our New London youngsters. Here is a quick overview of the campout.

Monday after school: Some students help load the trailer with equipment and food for the campout

Day 1: Tuesday/Thursday

8:15 Students load themselves and their equipment on to school bus and leave school.

8:45 Arrive and unload bus. Place personal equipment in the lodge. Help get contents of trailer up the hill to the lodge.

9:00 Expectations and rules discussed by Mr. Burns.

9:15 Mrs. Nelson demonstrates and students prepare T-shirts for tie-dye later in the day. 10:00 GORP snack

10:15 Boat safety my Mr. Dan Henderson, DNR,

11:00 Soil Conservation presentation by Henry County Conservation/Gaga,

12:15 Chop Suey Lunch,

1:00 Groups rotate through 3 45-minute presentations: Lisa Louke, Forester, Nature Hike, Decoupage by Mrs. Nelson and GPS by Shania Hansen, HCHC,

3:15 Tent Set up;

4:00 Sand Candles & Tie Die Mr. Bence and Mrs. Nelson,

5:30 Supper — Fire pie sandwiches and upside-down cake grilled;

6:45 Hike around the Lake (3 mi);

8:00 Root Beer making:

8:15 Ice Cream

9:15 Showers/Board Games/Films

10:30 Head out to tents.

Did you make it through the day?

The day was a combination of original and new activities. GORP (modified) and Chop Suey are 50-year traditions.

GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) was an old Boy Scout recipe. It is modified year to year. Some years peanuts cannot be offered due to allergies in the students. It also has become a trail mix that students make and choose on their own.

Choices are cinnamon crunch cereal, pretzels, raisins, peanuts, dried apple slices, banana chips, crasins, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, M&Ms. Students choose their own combination. Rules two teaspoons only of chocolate chips & M&Ms and eat what you choose.

Chop Suey is again an old Boy Scout recipe. It is ground browned meat and canned spaghetti. Garlic bread is served with it made from hamburger buns, butter and garlic salt.

Dinner is a change and introduces using a square cast iron “pie iron.” Students choose what to put on the sandwich — cheese, ham, turkey — one or all, After making the sandwich it is placed on the grill to toast.

This year, some students opted to try toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The upside-down cake is a modern addition to campfire food.

Poundcake pieces are placed on foil, students choose from a variety of pie fillings, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.

After folding and sealing the dessert, it is placed on the grill to warm up and meld the flavors.

With outstanding help from Mrs. Tyson Wintermeyer, Food Service Director and Mrs. Nelson, FCS teacher the meals are nutritious while opening the door on outdoor cooking options.

Normally square dancing would be held with root beer and ice cream making but alternations need to be made in schedules to meet the schedule of the caller.

This class did not miss out but square dancing on was held Wednesday night. Square dancing is an original activity.

The sixth-graders really love the new activity Gaga and would probably spend the entire day there if allowed. It is an addictive gentler version of dodge ball.

One advantage is that it is played in an octagonal pit so the ball is nearly always available. Players kick a soft foam ball and try to hit their opponents (everyone else) below the knees. It is a high energy sport involving dodging, striking, running and jumping.

Day 2: Wednesday/Friday

The day dawns early. The adults begin food preparation around 5:30 for a traditional scrambled egg, sausage link, pancake breakfast.

6:15 students rise and shine, pack their clothing, brush their teeth etc.;

6:30 Eat breakfast;

7:15 Pick up and pack sand candles and tie dye shirts;

8:00 Iowa Fur Box presentation by Paul Kay;

8:40 GORP;

8:45 to 11:45 Students divide into two groups. The first fishes from john boats while the second tackles the confidence course. Halfway through the time period they switch so that everyone participates in both activities.

11:45 Lunch Grilled foil pizzas, brownies — Students use tortillas and choose the toppings of cheese, pepperoni or both and fold over calzone style and place on grill.

1:15 Groups rotate every 45 minutes through three activities Canoeing with Mr. Bence, Minerals, Cleavage and Rocks with Mike Messer and Ron Brown (Sac & Fox Lapidary Club); and Archery with Eric and Kim Strothman;

3:30 Tent Pickup:

4:15 Trust Hike;

5:00 Square Dance;

6:15 Supper — Hot Dogs, S’mores;

7:00 Dogs/Gaga;

7:30 Leave Camp;

8:00 Arrive at school and head for home.

A major difference in the schedule for the two groups occurs in arriving and leaving. The first class brings items up the hill to get camp set up and going.

Tasks even out as the second class packs up the equipment and takes it downhill to go back to school storage for next hear. Everyone had a great time and arrived home ready to relax.