Sunday, October 25, 2009

My Science Camp Experience

Science Camp - Day 1
October 19, 2009

Today, we left to Science camp. All the 6th graders in our school came late at 8:45 am to school. We packed all out stuff in a luggage truck. At 9:00 am or 9:15 a.m. we left for the science camp. We arrived at the Semperviren's Outdoor School located at Boulder Creek around11:10 a.m. This is where we were to spend the next five days.

I ate a lunch of 2 potato sandwiches. Then we were put in our cabins. I was in the Garter Snakes cabin. Then we went on a hiking tour. We saw banana slugs, newts, and salamanders. Then we had recreation time. I sat and relaxed in my cabin.

It is 5:20 p.m. right now. We are going on a night hike and have a campfire tonight. Dinner is in 10 minutes.
Science Camp - Day 2
October 20, 2009

Yesterday's night hike was kind of scary. We got separated from the trail twice.Today morning. had pancakes for breakfast. Then our group went to Natural Bridges State Park. We went on the Monarch Trail and through a wetland. We then climbed a rock wall and waded though the water to get to the beach.

We had a lunch of apples, pretzels and custom sandwiches. We then played 'Crab Tag' on the beach. Then we created our own animals in sand. Mine was called the Titan Dragon, formally known as "Draconius Aquarius Ursus". It could spit poison, fly, swim, walk, camouflage itself, eat anything, live in Carribean coral reefs, and kill many things in many, many, ways. We went into water for five minutes. Then we went back to camp. At teacher time, I got a letter from my sister and mom.
I was really happy to get the letters.

For dinner we made delicious burritos. We are going to the "Town Hall Meeting" now. It is now 7:12 p.m.


Science Camp - Day 3
October 21, 2009

Yesterday at the 'Town Hall Meeting', I played the role of a Semperviren teacher at camp. I helped make an important decision about a marsh. Today morning, at breakfast
I ate a bunch of potatoes with ketchup. Today my group went to a hike that promoted co-operation and solitude with "Turtle Tag' and the 'Solo Hike', respectively. Then we got back to camp from the forest. The only change in today's lunch was that, instead of pretzels, we had gold fish crackers.

Then we headed off to the garden at the camp. I did some weeding and chopped up some tomato plants. At the chicken coop, I overcame my fear of chickens, and caught the fastest one, Roadrunner. And at the goat pen, I played with Willa and Tracy, the goats. Frankly, I liked Willa more. I walked (well..., more like ran!) her down the camp's hill and I fed her a lot of acorns. We then had some cookies to eat.

It is recreation time right now. Tonight we're having Pizza for dinner and the 'Barnyard Boogie'. It is 3:50 pm now.

Science Camp - Day 4

October 22, 2009

Yesterday's 'Barnyard Boogie' was okay. However I had lost my voice so when we limboed, danced the polka, and sang, I did not enjoy it much. Also, I got a letter from my dad and grandmother. I also sent a reply letter to them.


Today I went to Big Basin State Park. To tell the truth, it was kind of boring. I also joined the 'Hardcore
Club' by eating every part of an apple. We also met Marble, the corn snake. I really liked her. I also played with the chickens during recreation time. Tonight is 'Skit Night'; I wrote our cabin's skit. It was about the life cycle of a Garter snake.

It went like this:

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Life Cycle of a Garter Snake

(5 snakes appear on stage.)

Narrator: This is a small family of Garter Snakes. Normally, they live in families of 16. This looks like a peaceful day in the forest... or is it....

Owl comes on screen and eats 3 Garter Snakes. 2 Garter Snakes hide. Garter Snakes find and eat baby Bullfrog, Red-Legged Frog, California Newt, and Pacific Tree Frog.

Narrator: As you see, Garter Snakes eat baby Bullfrogs, Red-Legged Frogs, California Newts, and Pacific Tree Frogs.

(Summer comes. Garter Snakes sleep.)

Narrator: In summer, Garter Snakes estivate, or enter dormant periods.

(Winter comes. Garter Snakes sleep.)

Narrator: They also hibernate in winter.

Narrator: The 2 Garter Snakes have grown old. They are having a peaceful day in the forest. But something’s coming to finish what it started....

( Owl comes. Owl fights and eats both Garter Snakes.)

THE END
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Credits:

Nathan Graham: California Newt
Raymond Doug: Baby Bullfrog/ Pacific Tree Frog
Donnovan : Red-Legged Frog
Rayshan Rayner/John Mappala/Ryan Bunyard: Snakes eaten in the beginning
Tyler / Jacob Hernandez: Main Garter Snakes
Abhijit Ramaprasad (Me): Writer/Narrator/Owl

Everyone at camp thought it was good!

Sadly, tomorrow we leave.


Science Camp Day 5 - Going home
October 23, 2009

Today is the last day at the Science Camp. We woke up at 6:35 am and packed up all our luggage. We had a breakfast at 7:30 a.m. It was cereal and milk. We had only 4 oz. of food waste! Then we headed off to our cabins to clean it up. BTW, on Thursday, we won the Golden Dustpan Award!

After cleaning up, we went on a hike and read the story "The Table Where Rich People Sit". Then we signed our cards for our counselors. At the graduation ceremony, we talked about memories, sang songs, and ate a lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches. Then we went to the bus for the trip to go back home.


Home:
October 24, 2009

Now, don't het me wrong. I loved the Science Camp and wanted to stay. But it was comforting to sleep in my own bed last night. But no matter what, the memories I sealed in the camp's memory stick (an actual stick), will always be with me.