|
The Discovery Program |
|
The Challenge Zone On August 30th, Discovery seventh grade students kicked off the year with a visit to UVA's Poplar Ridge Ropes Course. Students spent the morning learning how to work together as a brand new team of Discovery students, and found that the answer lies somewhere along the path from "Egg" to "Superhero." In the afternoon, students tackled the fearsome Pamper Pole, bringing everyone involved out of the comfort zone and into the challenge zone. If you don't believe it, check out the looks on their faces! Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 |
|
Dangly Duo or Multi-Element? And while we're at it, what the heck are "lobster claws"?.. On August 31st, Discovery veterans rekindled their Discovery bonds from last year while welcoming newcomers into the group at UVA's Poplar Ridge Ropes Course. After spending the morning warming up on low cope elements, these students took to one of two high element ropes challenges. Those who chose the "Dangly Duo" worked in pairs to assist each other up a giant ladder constructed out of ropes and telephone poles. Those who chose the multi-element ropes course maneuvered through a series of increasingly difficult balancing acts at heights of over sixty feet before zip-lining into the valley below! Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 Photo 9 |
|
LGMS Discovery Students Hike to the Top! In early September, Locust Grove Discovery students tackled the arduous peak that is Old Rag Mountain. This peak, which has long been a test piece for Discovery students, was conquered by both seventh and eighth grade students through a tremendous effort of perseverance and teamwork. In the end, all emerged tired, but bonded by the memory of the struggle - and the view from the top! |
|
Home to the Brook Trout
On September 16th, Discovery seventh grade students traveled to Shenandoah National Park to search two of the parks streams for the beautiful but dwindling Brook Trout. Students conducted stream studies in both the Rapidan River at the base of the park and one of it's tributaries, Staunton Creek, which lies at a higher elevation. Students focused on the seven essential habitat features necessary for the Brook Trout to exist, and contemplated the decrease in each one of these features at the hands of human development over the last three centuries. In the end, students concluded that healthy streams not only harbor healthy trout, but many other wonders, making them beautiful and awe inspiring in their own right. Look carefully among the photos for a new Discovery record...those in the know will recognize our favorite chaperone's classic canned sardines! Once one student tried, the rest of the group was right behind him. Mmm... |
|
Assateague Island Beach Camp, 7th grade LGMS
You just can’t beat the beach for making kids happy. But the fact is the biology lessons we had were right up there with the capture the flashlight games when it comes to keeping students interested. Did you know that grass shrimp are phosphorescent? Yep. And is it really possible to make a soufflé from that bubbly stuff floating at the edge of a sale marsh? Maybe, but not one seventh graders would care to eat. Still, it is pure protein, and it does represent one of the unique features of a salt marsh.
For the second day of our trip students seined the salt marsh shallows and caught several species of fish, lots of blue crabs, some really tiny jelly fish called cone jelly fish, and lots of other critters. They saw and got a good whiff of the bottom of the food chain - that is, they smelled the muck, and learned first hand how to this rare ecosystem we call a salt marsh helps to keep the wind form wrecking the place. It was a great lesson and I can’t imagine a better place to have one. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6
|
|
Climb On, Discovery Eighth Graders! On September 19th, Discovery eighth grade students took to the rocks for a day of top rope climbing in Fredericksburg, VA. Students encouraged each other to succeed from below while belaying their teammates on one of three arduous routes at the locally famous Rappahannock Rocks. Before tackling the sixty foot cliff face, students discussed the physics involved in climbing (and falling), the geology of the rock itself, and the history of the Rappahannock River in the background. Off groups were put to the test on Officer Joe's "School of Hard Knots," where our own retired naval officer taught students the basic rope work needed to create a home from a tarp. Students reported to school on Tuesday with sore arms and legs, and it's no wonder...take a look at the determination on their faces as they braved the behemoth block of burly boulder.
|
|
Canoeing at the Quarry On September 26th, Discovery eighth grade students returned to Fredericksburg, this time for an introduction to canoeing technique. These students met with John Garmon of the Virginia Outdoor Center for a lively, albeit wet afternoon of paddling. Was that a boat down there? In between strokes, students peered into the murky depths of this long abandoned rocky resource. And while students may have speculated for hours at the wonders that lay below, they did not hesitate when it came time to practice swamping the canoe. Although our day at the quarry amounted to a relatively tame afternoon of paddling, students laid the groundwork for their eight-day Walkabout Adventure, where they will tackle the mighty waters coursing through the South Branch of the Potomac River. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Say What?
|
|
The American Forest Project...Continuing the Legacy On October 3rd, Discovery seventh grade students picked up where there predecessors left off, kicking off the third year of Discovery's American Forest Project. Students first completed a survey of American Elms planted throughout the town of Orange in the Fall of 2004. Later, these students traveled to Double "B" farms to plant a genetic base of blight resistant American Chestnuts. The day was exceptionally hot, and these students worked hard to get nearly thirty chestnuts in the ground! Many thanks to our friends at Double "B" for all of your help with the American Forest Project. Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6
|
|
Introduction to Canoeing Discovery seventh graders got their first taste of canoeing flat water on October 19th at the quarry in Fredericksburg. These students learned the techniques that will be put to use later on this year as they tackle a white water paddling experience on the Rappahannock River. Although many students were newbies to the capricious craft, all emerged from the day a proud pack of proficient paddlers. Special thanks to John Garmon of the Virginia Outdoor Center for his work with our group! |
|
PHMS Assateague Beach Camp Weekend On November 4th, PHMS Discovery seventh grade students headed to Assateague Island for the much anticipated beach camp weekend. They arrived at the beach after dark and worked hard to set up camp and cook the first dinner by headlamp, setting a tone of awesome teamwork that would characterize the whole weekend. On Saturday, students took turns visiting with the ranger staff from the island to learn about the unique ecosystem of this barrier reef island. Who would guess that that slimy orange lump known as "sea pork" looked the same as a Discovery student when both were in their earliest stages of life? Or that the inside of a sea cucumber is a mass of florescent intestines that it can squirt out at will - without dying! Special thanks to Gretchen Knapp for sharing her love of all these critters with us, and many commendations to all Discovery students for their tremendous work on this outing - it was a blast!
Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Photo 7 Photo 8 |
|
PHMS Old Rag Midnight Hike At noon on Sunday, March 12th, PHMS Discovery Eighth Grade students met at the school to begin packing for their Old Rag Midnight Hike. Although many in this crew were experienced Discovery campers, this was their first opportunity to pack for a backcountry campout. They divided group gear amongst themselves and loaded packs to prepare for the hike to the base of the mountain. Once at the base of Old Rag, students made camp, cooked dinner, hung bear bags, and waited for the dark of night to fall before meeting on the trail for a nighttime ascent of the mountain. Under a full moon, students made the push to the top of this craggy ridge to be welcomed by a sky full of stars above and a valley full of lights below. In the distance, the outline of the surrounding mountains and valleys were silhouetted in the light of the night. Students carefully explored the mountain top, reflected on the moment, and, of course, made hot chocolate before returning to camp for a few hours of deep sleep. Congratulations to these students on their teamwork and success! Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5
|
| Orienteering 7th |
