Dear Editor,
The buses rolled out recently carrying 121 Brownell Middle
School sixth graders for a week-long trip to Mission Springs
Science Camp. These young students bravely faced inclement weather,
steep trails, night hikes and even banana slugs on their noses.
Dear Editor,
The buses rolled out recently carrying 121 Brownell Middle School sixth graders for a week-long trip to Mission Springs Science Camp. These young students bravely faced inclement weather, steep trails, night hikes and even banana slugs on their noses.
There were hands-on lessons on streams, animals, ecology and recycling. Students learned about composting and stewardship of the land. By the time those buses returned on Friday afternoon, each child carried back not only very muddy clothes, but also a wealth of information about the world around them and special memories of a very special trip.
This was the first ever science camp trip for Brownell. It could not have happened without the involvement and dedication of many people. The three Brownell science teachers Celia McCormack, Ron Kinoshita and Martin Brooks put in countless hours organizing the trip, collecting forms and preparing students. Their enthusiasm and energy while was astounding.
There were also many hardworking parents who contributed. Karin Van Herk, parent club treasurer, collected and kept track of money. Monica Villar and Robin Houts organized fundraising activities and volunteers. Many volunteers worked at the Garlic Festival to raise scholarship money for needy students. The chaperones spent a tiring week making sure each child was well taken care. They made students feel safe and secure while also maintaining discipline.
The reward for all these people and their many hours of dedicated work was the smiling exhausted faces of the sixth graders as they headed home.
There are already plans being made for next year’s trip. Incoming sixth-grade parents to Brownell should contact Celia McCormack or Ron Kinoshita to help with fundraising. It’s said that it takes a village to raise a child, and it most certainly takes many dedicated volunteers to provide an experience like science camp for an entire group of students. Thank you to all the people involved. Your efforts made it an overwhelming success!
Barbara Park, Gilroy
