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Beginning-of-the-Year Trip
Tuolumne
Meadows, Yosemite National Park
September 17-21,
2006
It was very special to be in a hiking group with two of my best
friends. This experience put us in an environment away from our
TVs, computers, shopping malls, and cell phones and really allowed
us to just talk. Being in nature and away from our comfort zone was
very refreshing. It definitely made me reflect on how much I have
been given in my life and to remember to be thankful for it every
day.
-- Heather, Class of 2008
When I was in seventh grade, I tried to make it
all the way to the top of Half Dome, but I had to stop short of the
base. This time, as a senior, I made it to the top of Clouds Rest
and got the chance to look down upon Half Dome!
-- Ben, Class of 2007
Beginning-of-the-year trips are a wonderful
idea because they give students a chance to interact and form
friendships. I had been on bonding-oriented school trips before,
but never as the “new kid.” I was so grateful to be inducted into
the social strata of the students. I can’t wait to repeat the
experience on the end-of-the-year trip!
-- Lily, Class of 2010
I was able to open up and be myself on this
trip. I had a great time. Since the trip, I have been able to feel
more confident in myself when it comes to being a good person and an
even better friend. Thanks, Gordon and the rest of the faculty, for
making my first Anacapa trip so fun and exciting.
-- Jordan, Class of 2010
Sunday, September 17
The Upper and Lower Schools traveled together in
separate charter buses to Yosemite National Park. The first stop in
Yosemite was a visit to the Mariposa Grove of ancient Sequoia trees. A
walk was taken to see the Grizzly Giant. We then continued to Yosemite
Valley and took the mountain highway to Tuolumne Meadows. After our
arrival in the late afternoon, an all-school meeting was held to go over
the logistics of setting up the camps, and expectations for safety were
clarified. Faculty members Beth Wirth, Hugo Macario, Bryan Anderson,
and Ryan Biornstad led the four Upper School food groups. Gordon and
Suzie Sichi were in charge of the Lower School camp.
Monday, September 18
Yosemite Park naturalist Karen Amstutz led a
geology field study for the Lower School students in the morning and the
Upper School students in the afternoon. The specific objective of this
field study was to learn how the geology of Tuolumne Meadows evolved
over the past 500 million years. Naturalist Karen Amstutz specially
prepared for our group an illustrated lesson, which had students working
in multiple teams to figure out the sequence of major geological
events. The field study included a walk to the top of Pothole Dome,
observing granite formations and the effects of glaciations and
erosion. Karen showed us examples of igneous and metamorphic rocks
collected from the vicinity of Tuolumne Meadows. Students used hand
lenses to observe lichen and quartz crystal formations. From the top of
Pothole Dome, all of the major peaks and their geologic origins were
identified. After returning from the afternoon field study, an
all-school meeting was held to go over the logistics of the next day’s
hike to the top of Clouds Rest. After dinner, students packed up their
packs for the Clouds Rest hike. Before going to bed, Suzie Sichi read
stories to the Lower School students from selections made by English
teacher Peggy Lauer.
Tuesday, September 19
Students were awakened at 5:30 AM, had breakfast,
and left by bus for the trailhead. The students were divided into 6
hiking groups from fastest to slowest and began the hike at 8:30 AM.
Each teacher had a walkie-talkie to communicate with other teachers,
especially in case a student needed to change groups. The hike went
very smoothly. Groups 1 and 2 ascended the summit together at
approximately 1:00 PM. The last group arrived just after 2:00 PM. The
students were all together on the top until just after 3:00 PM. The
students were regrouped for the walk back to the trailhead, the last
group arriving at 7:15 PM. All students and teachers made it to the top
and back for a total hike of over 15 miles!
Wednesday, September 20
Students were allowed to sleep in; some were
shuttled to the showers at the Tuolumne Lodge. At 12:00 PM, the school
left for a picnic at Lake Tenaya. Students swam and socialized on the
beach. A very energetic football game was played with students and
faculty joining in. After getting back to camp, more students were
shuttled to the showers. After dinner that day, the traditional
all-school campfire was held in the Lower School camp with each
participant sharing positive reflections and appreciations about the
trip.
Thursday, September 21
Students were awakened at 7:00 AM. Breakfast was
made, snacks were prepared for the bus trip back, and the camps were
packed up. The buses left at 10:45 for the drive back. Rather than
returning the way we came, the route was changed to go over Tioga Pass
to Highway 395. This gave the students an opportunity to observe
multiple Sierra environments as the buses descended the eastside of the
Sierra. A stop was made at June Lake, the site of last year’s cold and
stormy trip, to enjoy a short break on a very sunny and warm day. The
buses returned to 814 Santa Barbara Street at 6:40 PM, which gave the
students time to unload the buses before the parents arrived at 7:00 PM. |
