Stepping into the Wild: Our Adventure Begins
*Note: The students' names have been changed to protect their privacy. Their ages are indicated in parentheses after their names.
I told the kids they were pioneers. Whether they fully understood the significance of that statement or not, I truly believe it. To my knowledge, there isn't another program quite like ours. If I'm wrong, I'd be eager to learn about it.
Our first day together began in a parking lot at the mouth of Provo Canyon. Ten kids piled into a van, while others traveled in smaller cars. There are five pairs of siblings in the school, which will make for an interesting dynamic. Some parents hesitated to enroll both their children, worried they might fight. I assured them that while there may be some conflicts, it could actually strengthen their relationship if I can guide them effectively. We made a quick stop at Vivian Park when one of the kids realized they'd forgotten their lunch, and their mom called to let us know. As we waited, the boys and girls naturally formed separate groups, even playing tag within these divisions. I hope to break down this gender divide through random group assignments in class, but for now, as long as there's respect, it might be okay.
The kids were asked to bring a few items, including watercolors and a notebook. We set out on the beautiful Big Springs trail around 10 a.m., full of energy. Some of the older boys, aged 11 and 12, led the way, but I reminded them to stay within sight. Jess, Robert’s (age 8) mom and our class aide, kept watch from the back to ensure no one was left behind. About halfway up, as we crossed sunny fields and left the dense trees along the stream, the kids began asking how much longer the hike would be. The trail, mostly uphill, crossed a stream several times via bridges. We reached our destination at 11 a.m. Hammocks were strung, backpacking chairs set up, blankets spread, and lunches unpacked.
I gave the kids about an hour to play. Some of the boys quickly found themselves splashing in the river, while I joined Ryan (9) and Roman (8), a pair of brothers, to observe flies skimming the water’s surface. We spotted a slimy slug and other small creatures, sparking a lively discussion.
Later, Jess and I gathered everyone under the trees, away from the noisy river, to play the name game. This activity reminded me of my own Unified year at Orem High, where we spent hours learning each other's names. With our group of kids aged 7 to 12, it didn’t go as smoothly. Some of the older boys struggled to stay focused, despite starting with a breathing exercise I taught them called “umbrella breathing.” You take a big breath, imagining your ribcage expanding like an umbrella, and then close the umbrella on the out-breath. Midway through learning each other’s names (including middle names), I decided to let them take a break, planning to finish the game another time. When I suggested trying again a few hours later, Adam (12) mentioned it might be better to learn names naturally. Perhaps he’s right.
There’s so much I want to share and teach, but I’ve learned that listening is often more valuable than talking. I’ll need to choose my moments and lessons wisely. However, I did manage to teach some of the girls about using the bathroom in the woods responsibly, ensuring they left no trace by carrying out their toilet paper. They were a bit grossed out by that prospect. I showed them a good spot and explained how to avoid getting their clothes wet when squatting. I even demonstrated the squat myself. I told them to pick a place free of prickly grass or rocks to avoid splashes and offered to carry out the baggie with their used toilet paper. They brought it to me when they returned. Ah, the joys of being a girl in the woods. Indoor plumbing, bidets, and a place to wash your hands are luxuries I miss, but the inconvenience is a small price to pay for being in the wilderness.
At times, addressing antisocial behavior is necessary. Adam, who suggested we skip the name game, had found some rubber bands and made a bowstring, shooting sticks and rocks at the others until someone complained. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. Another boy, Ian (12), mistook a girl for his sister and threw a cucumber at her. When I asked him about it, he simply said, “They all look alike!” I accompanied him to apologize to Abigail (11), which he eventually, though reluctantly, did.
I gathered everyone to talk about the Timpanogos Indians who once roamed this canyon. I shared the current state of the tribe—unrecognized and powerless—and expressed my hope that, as a school, we could find a way to help them. I handed each child a unique bracelet I had made, and they seemed pleased with the gesture. One bracelet, yellow and white, was given to Natalie. I worried that the bold colors might not be as popular, but when she opened the envelope, she exclaimed, “My favorite color is yellow!” A lucky guess.
As some of us settled down to paint with watercolors, the older boys (Ian, Lance (11), Adam, and Charlie (11)) discovered some pipes and boards, creating a makeshift platform in the trees. Adam was especially proud of the rope ladder he crafted from green twine and promised to make an even better one for our next outing. They reluctantly dismantled their structure when it was time to leave.
Many of the kids enjoyed a nature scavenger hunt. They worked in teams of four, earning up to four prizes of chocolate for each item found. The list included: something fuzzy, two kinds of seeds, two pieces of man-made litter, something straight, something round, something smooth, something rough, two different types of leaves, something that makes noise (most kids chose the nearby waterfall), a chewed leaf, a beautiful rock, something they thought was beautiful (a group of girls including Lori (11), Abigail (11), Natalie (10), and Rose (10) chose a photo of Rose taken by Lori’s phone), a pinecone, something green, a stick, and something they considered a treasure.
Packing up took longer than expected, and the hike back to the cars felt longer and hotter under the August sun. I asked everyone to write about their day in the journals they packed but didn’t use. I hope they did.
I’m sure we’ll all sleep well tonight."
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Abigail and Isabella
Bracelet making
