Tucked against the trunk of a substantial redwood tree, naturally camouflaged and constructed from tree branches, bits of bark, leaves, tree needles—the same forest “litter” that covers the surrounding area—a small hobbit-sized shelter is visible. This snug enclosure is just large enough for one, or maybe two, of the middle school students who constructed it, and is one of several forest shelters recently built by Mount Madonna School (MMS) sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
“Creating shelters provided a chance for the students to get to know MMS’s forests better, to learn survival skills and to get dirty and creative all at the same time,” said middle school teacher Ashley England. “We decided to offer the sleepover as a way for the students to celebrate their hard work, test out the durability of their creations, and to challenge themselves by stepping outside their comfort zones (and warm beds).”
The shelter “sleepout” was a “daunting challenge,” said England, and one for which many students vocalized their excitement in planning. However, with the approaching rain and clouds, the number of participants in the optional activity dwindled until a core group of 12 adventurers remained. The participants were: Alice, Lillian and Sophia, eighth; Ksenia and Sarah, seventh; and Aria, Claire, Kahlan, Nadia, Riley M., Sara and Savannah, sixth. Bob Caplan, England and teacher Jen Block chaperoned and parents Jessica Cambell and Sandy Moller provided morning assistance and breakfast.
“As part of our Outdoor Adventure Program, we have been developing a tradition of building survival shelters in our ample wilderness not far from the classrooms,” shared teacher Caplan. “This activity spans four to six weeks and offers a broad range of opportunities for education and enjoyment. The students are instructed to use only natural materials that are already lying on the forest floor (branches, logs, leaves, etc.) and not to use anything still living and growing.”
“I learned that I can try something new and not be afraid to do something different,” said sixth-grader Nadia Rassech. “I love the idea of sleeping in something that I made out of nature. After I spent the night in my shelter, it felt really rewarding because I had done what I didn’t think I could do.”
