Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The first day of Outdoor School certainly was an exciting one.  Students arrived at school around 8:30 am, carrying all their belonging and luggage for the week and loading everything into the equipment truck.  Around 9:00 am, the students boarded the bus and headed toward Camp Blue Diamond  in Huntingdon County.  Arrival at Outdoor School was around 10:00am and all the Outdoor School counselors greeted the children - singing them the "Welcome to Outdoor School" Song. After departing the bus, the students went immediately to the parachute games.  After the games, each student was introduced to their counselor for the week, put all their belongings into their cabins, and checked in with the nurse. Everyone then participated in some fun and exciting big group games. After the games, we all went to the Campfire Circle for our ODS "Welcome" Meeting."  The counselors put on a neat skit about doing the "right" thing  at Outdoor School.  By this time, it was time for lunch and Highland Park was treated to their first meal prepared by the Outdoor School Chefs.  A good lunch of meatball sandwiches, French fries, salad and fruit bar were enjoyed by all.  After lunch the students were put into their Learning Groups and started their first day's lessons, which included the "Name Game," "Compass reading," "the Camouflage Game,"  and team building exercises while walking around the beautiful lake at Camp Blue Diamond. The sun was out and it was a beautiful day. After a long walk and some more large group games, we had a wonderful dinner of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and salad bar. For dessert, we had vanilla pudding.   After dinner, we  had our  Skills Group Challenge." During this challenge each cabin group got to do different challenges as a team and earned points by collecting chips.  It was a lot of fun! We then had our first campfire. During campfire we sang many "repeat after me songs." We also saw the "If I Wasn't a Camper" skit performed by the counselors and the Weather Skit. We also got to see some unique "Smoke Painting." After campfire we headed for our cabins to settle in for the night. We had a wonderful first day.

    CLICK ON EACH THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE

Taking our bags to our cabins	Our Cabins	parachute games	Welcome to CBD	Making Wood Cookies
Welcome Meeting	Welcome Meeting	Name Game	Name Game	Compass Reading

Compass Reading	Solo Spots	Monaken's Polaris	Token Challenge Games	Crazy Cabin Group
	Token Challenge Games	Our Bunks	Token Challenge Games

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