The morning was crisp and cool again, below freezing. The children loaded up on a big breakfast in preparation for the day-long Eco Hike. They met in their study groups and left camp about 09:30, hiking or canoeing off in all directions. Several groups hiked up into the BWCA while others walked along streams and fens, or up wooded hills to hidden bogs. All groups found a place to stop and make a fire, then ate a lunch from items each of them had carried that morning: summer sausage, cheese, bread, dried apples, dried bananas, leftover pancakes from the morning, and peanut butter to spread. Groups were also treated to s'mores afterwards!
Along the hike the groups did some deep-dive learning about a particular animal or eco-system and then prepared a skit that they shared with the group when everyone was back at camp by 4:00. The skits were wonderful and extremely funny. Afterwards, it was dinner and then the 6th years split off to learn how to sauna and then headed down to the lake, while the 4th and 5th years stayed in the Kirby dining hall and played Super Quiz, answering all sorts of questions about what they learned in the week. When the 6th years rejoined from the sauna, we shared a dessert and then watch some hilarious skits put on by the camp staff.
The last activity was sitting in candle-light circles with their study groups and shared their best experiences at camp. It was a touching ceremony. All the children seemed to have a wonderful time and will miss their time here at Widji. We're up for breakfast, clean-up and then getting back on the busses to head home on Friday. See you all soon!
