Day 4: Winter Wonderland and Town Hall Meeting

Winter Wonderland

We woke up to a power snow covered camp. The instructors said that this was the largest snow storm Keystone has seen in two years. It made for an incredible day of fun and adventure around camp. Students got to choose their own adventure the last day. We could choose to cross-country ski, snow shoe, sled, or hangout in the dining hall with friends and enjoy some hot cocoa. In the end, everyone had a great time and got to do everything they wanted.

In the evening, we closed out with a look through the telescope at Jupiter and the stars. We also had a cozy campfire where we enjoyed smores and shared appreciative thoughts about our time together.

Our dorm covered in snow.

Sebastian sharing his thoughts at the Town Hall meeting.

Ciana taking a slippery sled ride down the berm.

Mr. Bozdogan cruzing down the berm looking like a pro.

Mr. B taking a tumble down the slopes. 

Maya sledding down the hill.

Campers and teachers making snow angels in the field.

Mr. Saulter and Mr. Bozdogan giving Ciana a ride back to camp.

Yanira and Victor chatting as the flurries fell.

Another group of adventurous campers take to the trails for one last cross country ski.

Shreddin' and sleddin'

Sun came out again for our final cross-country ski excursion.

Video: First Ski Lesson

 

 

When you fall down, you get back up!

The kids have a great time getting comfortable on their skis and learning to fall gracefully.

 

Day 3: Field Exploration, Stakeholder Roles, and Forest Ecology

Today we talked about our stakeholder roles related to Forest Health as an Environmental Issue. Some people represented Eco-tourism group, the home owners association, county commissioners, ranchers, biomass company owners, and forest service representatives. Each group learned about their role and position related to prescribed fires, thinning, clear cutting, and defensible spaces.

We are preparing for our town hall meeting tomorrow by traveling to different places throughout Summit County to see first hand the variety of forest management techniques. We explored the result of a wildfire, looked at various trees, learned about pine cone seed distribution, saw clear cut forests first-hand, and reflected on our stakeholder roles while in the field.  

Richard and Ethan explore the effect of heat on pine cones and seed dispersal.

Betty slam dunks a snowball during a quick break.

Yesenia leads Celene through the snow during a blind photo walk.

Yoshi trusts Moses to lead him through the snow.

Ms. Scott in her natural element blazing the trail through Miner's Creek.

Katie's group stops for a lesson on tree succession after a wildfire, severe wind storm, or human impact.

Brooklyn stops for a quick pic before downhill skiing.

A successful day of skiing and learning in the field! Hooray!

Ciana and Mrs. Saulter happy to be back at camp and tending to a minor injury caused by a stray moose on the trail. Ciana is a hero today.

Gabe, Yoshi, Elias, and Victor had a great day in the field!

Richard, Yanira, Yoshi, and Karime represent the local ranchers out to protect their livestock.



Day 1 and 2: Nordic Skiing, Mountain Pine Beetles, and More!

Snapshots of our first two days in Keystone

 

Today was a day of many firsts: an airplane ride, leaving Texas, seeing snow, learning to ski, seeing majestic mountains, eating dinner tied to a stranger (now friend), and so much more.

 

Here is glimpse into our many adventures during our first two days at camp:

 

 

Richard chilling like a boss!

 

Taking a practice run!!

READY for Breckenridge!





 During a team-building dinner, we had to wear rubberbands with our new Harmony friends. It was quite a challenge.



 During our tree identification activity, we blindfolded our partner and led them to particular trees.

Here are Yanira and Angelina showing us how it's done like a boss.

 

 Fashionable and functional on the trail.

 Katie, Ms. Scott, and Ms. Linnville's group during our deep-snow hike!

 Miracle and her beautiful smile!

Mr. Bozdogan (aka Greyhawk) is back!

 .....we're getting there!

Moses, Celene, Karime, Celeste, Victor, and our instructor Katie are ready for adventure!

 Stunning vistas at Keystone Science School!

Cross-country skiing 101 with Instructor Sarah.

Ms. Scott helping instruct on the slopes!

 A gorgeous day in Colorado.

 

 

 Angels in the snow!

 

 

Practicing falling! Dead bugs!

 Celeste is a ski star!

 

Lizzett and Leyanes falling like professionals. Can't wait until tomorrow!!!

 

 



 

After a long day, heading to our cabins.

Trip Itinerary

Flight Information:

United Airlines

Depart:  March 1  AUS > DEN  7:52AM - 9:06AM

Return:  March 5  DEN > AUS  2:06PM - 5:09PM

Daily Schedule:

FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY
5:30am Meet at HSA 6:00am Depart for airport 7:52-9:06am Fly to Denver 10-Noon Drive to KSS 12-1pm Arrive & Dorm Move-In 1-1:30pm Lunch & Orientation 2:30pm  Begin Field Group Experience 5:00pm  Flex Time 6:00pm Teambuilding Dinner 7:30pm  Evening Program- Astronomy 10:00pm Campus Quiet Hours	7:00am  Quiet hours end 8:00am   Breakfast 9:30am  Field Group Experience 4:30 Large Group Game—Oh Deer! 5:00pm  Flex Time 6:00pm Dinner 7:30pm Evening Program- Animal Adaptations 10:00pm  Campus Quiet Hours	7:00am  Quiet hours end 8:00am   Breakfast 9:30am  Field Group Experience 4:00pm  Large Group Poster Making 5:00pm  Flex Time 6:00pm Dinner 7:30pm  Evening Program- Stakeholder and Town Hall Meeting Development 10:00pm  Campus Quiet Hours	7:00am  Quiet hours end 8:00am   Breakfast 9:30am  Town Hall Meeting 11:30am  Celebration Ski 5:00pm Flex Time 6:00pm Dinner 7:30pm  Evening Program- Campfire and S’mores 10:00pm Campus Quiet Hours	7:00am Quiet hours end 7:15am Dorm cleanup 8:00am  Breakfast 9:15-9:30am Slideshow/ School Store 10:00am Bus Departs (lunch on bus) 12:00pm Arrive at Airport 2:06-5:09pm Fly to Austin 6:00pm Parent pick-up at HSA