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If I Could Sing
Student Evaluations and Thank You Notes from a Guardian-Sponsored Field Trip to Camp Benson

Spring 2008 Newsletter

On May 2, 2007, the sixth grade from the Galena Middle School spent a day at Camp Benson in Mount Carroll. The feedback from the teachers and chaperones was very positive. However, the fifty-one thank you notes and surveys that we received from the students were “awesome.” The Guardian Education Committee would like to share this delightful correspondence with you. Sit back, relax, enjoy – and maybe have a few laughs.

The sixth graders were involved in three activities (plus lunch): A butterfly walk with a guide, a demonstration of many kinds of fish and water creatures with the IDNR fish specialist, and actual shelter building out in the woods with the camp staff.

In the shelter activity, the class was divided into two teams, given guidance in how to collect large and small tree branches, and leaves to make the shelter watertight, and set to work. Yes, you guessed it – the final test was a real water test as the team grouped inside their shelter.

The following summary of each activity is taken word for word -- and with the student punctuation -- from their evaluations, and combined here to tell their story. Any words in brackets were added by me for clarification.

—Joan Harmet

FISH DEMONSTRATION

This was my favorite station. [It was] so much fun! I’d give [him] a 10 because he made it interesting, fun and spectacular. [I liked it] when the guy dropped the big catfish right in front of the girls and then they all screamed, but I liked getting to hold the frogs and turtle. I liked touching all the different animals best.

I learned a lot about a gar and how it lived back in the age of dinosaurs and that it doesn’t have a lot of predators because other big animals can’t keep a grip on them. I learned about the different types of nets and I got to touch a living dinosaur. I always though they were extinct. Guess I was wrong. I’m going to look for a T-Rex. I learned that bass have a long time to grow.

(BUT – there are other opinions as well.) I think the guy should have tried to bring some more river animals like a snake or a river otter. I think that everything was OK except for his corning [sic] jokes. I think if we could have gone fishing it would have been great.

SHELTER BUILDING

I LOVED THIS ACTIVITY. I had fun working together and building the shelter. [I give it] 10 – my favorite. I learned how to use survival skill to make a shelter out of sticks in the forest. I learned that to build a shelter teamwork and creativity is needed. I learned how to build a shelter and how not to build a shelter.

[I liked it best] when Aron and the teachers poured water on our shelter because a lot of people in my group got wet and I didn’t.

I’d give [this activity] a 9 because it was fun but we didn’t have a lot of time. I wish we would have had more time and that more water was poured on us. We didn’t have enough time to make it sturdy and thick so that it won’t leak and cave in on us. If we had more time to build this would be better.

BUTTERFLY WALK

I liked how I got to walk around the forest looking for butterflies. I liked being out in the open air in the nature. [It would be better] if she brought a bunch of live butterflies because we only got to see one live one in the woods by the garlic mustard. Well for one thing, we could of actually gone on a day when an actual butterfly was outside!

I learned how to tell the difference between moths and butterflies. I learned about 4 butterflies I’ve never heard of except for one. One of them I remembered the name and it was the American Lady. I liked when the lady showed us the sticky plant and put some on us. I learned about a few different names, plant names, what some butterflies and plants look like and that her [the guide’s] dog likes to eat butterflies.

In the education business, you never know what lasting impressions and knowledge are being conveyed. The Guardians also received thank you notes, cleverly illustrated and very sincere. Here are three of Education Chairman Debbie Pausz’s favorites:

---Thank you for inviting me and my class to come to Camp Benson for free for the whole day. All the stations were fun and exciting. I loved all the stations but the one I liked most was the fishing because I learned a lot from Mr. O’Neal and all the information was useful because I fish with a friend on the Mississippi River during the summer. If I had a chance to go again I would take it in a heartbeat.
Sincerely, Billy S.

---Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to be out in the fresh air having fun. I loved having the warm sun gently kiss our faces as we got to be outside all day. It was spectacular and I learned an elephant load of things. I learned about some different types of nets and fish. Then I learned about butterflies and the types of plants and nectar they absolutely adore. Last but far from least I got to make a shelter out of sticks and branches. All and all, I had a magnificent day and hope to go back soon.
Thank you, Morgan H.

---If I could sing I would sing many a song about how wonderful you are but alas I can’t so I write. However, I still can’t say it in words. So I say this “Thank you”. Even though it doesn’t even come close.
Sincerely, Tyler P.

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The Guardian Education Committee considered all of the informative responses and has already met with Tony Hakes, Camp Benson Director, to plan our program for May, 2008. We are scheduled for May 5 and 6.

Camp Benson is an overnight camp owned and operated by the Sterling-Rock Falls YMCA. It is located in a lovely natural woodland along the Waukarusa River, just west of Mount Carroll.

— Debbie Pausz and Joan Harmet