On a frosty October morning, Mrs. Erwin’s class of Sorensen third graders went wild.
Thursday, Oct. 27, NIC’s Outdoor Leadership and Resort/Recreation Management (RRM 120) classes, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), hosted this class of Sorensen third graders from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m at the Bureau of Land Management’s Blue Creek Bay day – use area.
The field trip focused on the principles of trail building, wildlife exploration and outdoor preservation. According to Paul Chivvis, Outdoor Leadership and RRM 120 instructor, the Outdoor Leadership class ran the wilderness field trip as part of their program requirements. Chivvas volunteered his son’s third grade class at Sorensen, but the Outdoor Leadership class scheduled the day and prepped the RRM 120 class as well the Sorensen students.
Upon arrival at Blue Creek Bay, the Sorensen third graders were divided into groups of three; litter pickup, rock moving, and wildlife exploration, with about 40 minute rotations.
Rebecca Harlow, 36, Outdoor Leadership, led the rock-moving group.
“Some kids don’t grow up this way, but my mom would always say ‘leave the campground cleaner than when you found it,” said Harlow.
Harlow discussed the Leave No Trace (LNT) principles with her group, and then led the kids up the trail toward the rock loading area.
John Totten, NIC’s Outdoor Pursuit Coordinator, described the trail building at Blue Creek Bay as an ongoing process.
“We’ll be back. There’s another 6 miles up above with lots of older trails that we want to connect,” said Totten.
There were 75 people building the trail, with three adults needed for one 18-inch section. NIC students used Pulaskis and McLeods to dig just past the root layer, so that the rain wouldn’t cause a rut.
”It’s going good today. It’s a lot of work. I’ve never done this before, but its fun,” said Casey Siers, 22, Resort Recreation Management.
The Sorenson children loaded rocks into a wheel borrow and helped build rock dams in order to slow the water down so the trail wouldn’t get washed out.
“What fun! It’s hilarious. These kids are gung-ho!” said Tiffany Heiss, 36, a volunteer for BLM and the attendant at the rock loading section.
According to Chivvis, more than 650 feet of new trail was built.
“My favorite part is the pelts! I got to touch the skunk!” said Sieryn Johnson, 8, Sorenson.
Carrie Hugo, a wildlife biologist for the BLM taught the kids about animal tracks and “POI” (poop of interest) then took them on a short hike to identify signs of wildlife.
“I liked the nature wildlife section, learning about how they [animals] die and stuff,” said Adam Fortin, 8, Sorensen. “The big beaver and the porcupine was the most interesting because it shoots its quills at its prey.“
“I believe hands on experiences gives a better understanding of principles and practices that we discuss during lecture,” said Chivvis. “In addition, students get to see results for their labor and cooperation with other organizations.”
“This is a great place. It’s tucked away,” said Suzanne Endlsey BLM public affairs specialist. “We are cleaning it up and families like to come here now. Now these kids can come back here with their families.”
