In 1973, the campout was initiated by Sixth Grade Teacher, Bob Wehrle. The conservation education movement was just beginning and in its “Tree Hugging” days. Mr. Wehrle put together a set of outdoor activities, a menu using many Boy Scout ideas and included sleeping overnight in a tent. Currently under the direction of Mr. Burns, Physical Education teacher, the campout has continued its goals. – two of which are to introduce students to outdoor fun and provide an opportunity to develop new skills. Mrs. Nelson, FCS teacher and co-director wears many hats – keeps track of student’s medical needs, oversees the many craft activities, and makes sure the food stocks never run low.

On Day 1, the students arrive at Camp McBride, unload, and organize. Mr. Burns sets expectations for the students and explains his point system. Students have many opportunities to earn points for their groups. Emphasis is always on positive behavior. This year’s group was excellent -- helped each other and stayed on task. Trying to describe all the activities makes the campout sound dry but in truth there is never a dull moment. The toughest job of the campout is returning to school exhausted from all the fun.

The day then begins in earnest. The groups Wind, Rain, Sun, Earth are formed, and each person gets a water bottle labeled Sixth Grade Campout. After placing their name on the bottle, it is used for water and Kool Aid. This memento really helps reduce the amount of trash. Next the students learn about tie dying shirts. As they place rubber bands they are imagining what pattern will be made when the shirts are completed. A quick snack of GORP Then outside to create a photo of their group. Mr. Henderson is waiting to teach boat safety.

Fishing and canoeing are an important part of the fun, but safety is critical. Before lunch there is time for Rain & Sun to play Gaga ball while Wind & Earth meet with the Henry County Conservationist. Using a water table, they project what will happen to the water and soil as different substances are added to landforms. The groups switch places after 45 minutes. This sequence demonstrates how the campout has evolved over the years. Gaga ball is a new activity while the conservation demonstration is a traditional presentation.

Meals and snacks are also a mixture of the old and the new. GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts) is an old Boy Scout snack. This treat as been altered to include healthy options such as dried apples and banana slices, sweet options such as chocolate chips and carbohydrates such as cinnamon toast crunch cereal and pretzels. It is important that the students choose only the items they like. No waste is generated. First day lunch is Boy Scout American chop suey (spaghetti) and garlic bread.

After lunch, three more fun units are taught. Henry County Naturalist, Shania Hansen teaches GPS and geocaching, Forester Lisa Louck leads a Tree Hike, and Mrs. Nelson oversees the decoupage plaque. GPS has replaced the orienteering session. The final activity is for each student to find the geocache using their compasses.

After a snack, the tents are set up. Girls are outside the lodge and the boys set theirs up the hill toward the confidence course. The sand candles and tie dye shirts are next. This year the square dancing came early in the evening but finally it was time for supper.

For supper, students create their own grilled sandwich with their choice of cheese, turkey, ham. Pie irons on the grill are used. Dessert is also created by each student. Called Upside Down Cake, students use pound cake or brownie squares on foil. They add their choice of pie filling, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Mothers and fathers don’t lose hope. Each meal is accompanied by milk, broccoli, carrots, celery, apples, and oranges.

After supper, the traditional hike around the lake is held. After this hour walk, root beer and ice cream are made. These treats are followed by showers, board games and films. By 10:50 everyone heads to their tents. One would think after a long day of continual activity sleep would come easily. Not so the atmosphere is more “sleep over” and it takes a bit for everyone to relax.

Day 2 is crammed full of activities as well. The day begins at 6:15. Breakfast is scrambled eggs, sausage links, pancakes, milk and juice. Before anything can be done, the sand candles must be dug up from the beach. The beach will be walked on all day as fishing and canoeing take place. A traditional activity on the second day is the fur box visit. Paul Kay brings out the preserved furs of native Iowa animals. Lots of fun as each one is identified and their relationship to Iowa history is described.

After another round of GORP Mr. Bence takes half the group canoeing while Mr. Burns takes the other half to the Confidence Course. The purpose of a confidence course is to build the self-confidence of the student and promote team work. The groups switch places after 90 minutes.

Lunch is foil pizzas. The students create their own using tortillas. One half they chose one or all – pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni. After arranging it and folding it in foil it is grilled. A few students have been known to make a peanut butter and jelly tortilla.

The afternoon is filled with Archery led by Eric Strothman , Rock, Minerals and Geodes taught by Mike Messer, President of Sac & Fox Lapidary Club and Canoeing supervised by Ben Bence. All too soon it is time to pick up the tents and gather belongings.

The traditional Trust Hike cannot be forgotten. Students are blindfolded and led around the grounds. Following is not too difficult but stopping the long line is problematic. As the campout comes to an end and everyone begins to relax, a favorite activity occurs when Mr. Bence brings out his dogs for a retrieving demonstration.

Supper is hot dogs and S’mores and all too soon, load the bus back to school. Everyone is safely home with their families by 8 pm. Tuesday (Day 1) and Wednesday (Day 2) complete one half of the sixth grade. The busy dedicated staff and volunteers of the campout are ready to repeat Thursday (Day 1) and Friday (Day 2) with the second half of the sixth grade.

Brittany Lerner posted on Facebook her reaction to the campout. “I tagged along to help out and it was a blast! The kids were amazing and pushed themselves to try new activities and worked with their classmates in an encouraging way! They took home some cool projects and memories that will last a lifetime!” Take a few moments and check out the rest of her comments and view her pictures.

Mr. Kracht and Mr. Wahl deserve gazillions of thank yous. They are great cooks and help out as much as they can. The eighth grade trip to St. Louis is the same week as the sixth grade campout so they are super busy.