The Rookery

Wolf Ridge isn't easy.  It isn't easy physically for the kids. It isn't easy for the chaperones to take a week away from work and family.  It isn't easy to raise money for the bus and scholarships.  It isn't easy for families to get gear and save money for the tuition.  It isn't easy emotionally for many kids to be away from home for a week.  It isn't easy emotionally for many parents to watch their kids take this leap toward independence. It isn't easy as a teacher to be on twenty-four-seven – taking care of teaching as well as comforting and cajoling and managing.  It isn't easy to plan for a week away from the fourth graders.

So…why do we do it?  Because it is always worth it.  Kids grow so much in that single week.   They learn about themselves and each other.  They cement relationships that will last into high school and beyond.  They see how much they are capable of and how much strength they have to overcome discomfort and unease.  They learn so much about the natural world and see things that they've never seen before — ice floes on Lake Superior, the perfect fruiticose lichen clinging to a branch, wolf tracks loping across a beaver dam, a sky so full of stars it's hard to see the constellations.

The naturalists at Wolf Ridge are exceptional – knowledgeable, yes, but also so excited to see and learn along side our kids.  I know that they've taught animal signs twenty times already this winter…but no one else would know as they explore a grouse track or examine hare scat.  They call out "wow!" almost as much as the kids do.  They make all of our discoveries authentic by sharing in our wonder.  That is not easy.

The breadth of resources at Wolf Ridge is also astonishing.  A porcupine! The ropes course (with a view of Lake Superior!).  A rock wall modeled on natural rock (very different than the manufactured holds at a place like Vertical Endeavors).  A museum of animals and animal signs.  Snow shoes.  An ojibwe encampment.  Groomed ski trails (that lead to an ice cave!!).  Ice houses with cameras to watch the fish.  Fish to catch!!  Ice to harvest!!  A live giant bullfrog and turtle and snake and a chicken and an owl and a raven and a red tail hawk (that you can watch eat a mouse!)  Miles of trails.  Feet of snow.  And views like you wouldn't believe.

There is no substitution for a week like we just had at Wolf Ridge.  Thank you – chaperones and fifth grade parents – for everything you did to make the week a reality for your children.  And 4th grade families – I can't wait to share the experience with your children next year.  It's always the best year ever.