Goodnight in Goose Cabin

The girls of Goose Cabin were asked to share a rose and a thorn from their day.  Almost all of them said that the rose was coming to Keewaydin and the thorn was saying goodbye to their families.  They miss you, but they are having a lot of fun!  More photos and videos tomorrow- stay tuned. 

Rocking study group

Community building work includes lessons in teamwork.  Check out the video to see how they rocked out!

Monday Evening Activities

afternoon activities

A collection of photos from before dinner...

Dishwashers at Work

Everyone has a job at KEEC.  Here are a few of our dishwashers, one of which was heard to say, "Oh man, if my Mom sees this she'll ask me to wash dishes at home!"

Monday update

Study group circle

community building on a log

enjoying the new Fraser dining hall

smiles after lunch

enjoying a good riddle

settling into bunks

Arrival at KEEC Monday went smoothly, with gear stowed safely in cabins we met by Lake Dunmore to hear introductory words and our plan for the day from Tim the KEEC director.
We later ate a yummy lunch in the spiffy new dining hall, then were off to work on community building in our study groups with the KEEC counselors.
It is beautiful, sunny, and breezy here, warm but moderated greatly by the wind. 
Hiking and explorations will begin in the morning after breakfast.
The kids are all smiles and happy.  Will keep posting as time allows.  Please feel free to leave a comment on any of the blog posts, it is a great motivator to write more!
-Jeremy Kelloway

And They're Off!

There was some crazy energy in the 5/6 wing this morning!

 The buses are on their way to Keewaydin full of excited students!  We will keep you updated as often as we can so keep checking the CAES at KEEC Blog. 

Student Goals

Last week as we geared up for KEEC with talk of packing and cabins, our classes review some important principles of ecology such as the five basic needs of living things, food chains, and photosynthesis.
At the end of these two pages of science notes there is a section for students to write down their goals for the coming week at Keewaydin.  A helpful student gathered some of these goals from students on Friday.  Here is what she read:

               KEEC GOALS
- To be more social and show the FUN side of me rather than the serious school side of
me.
- Go fishing
- Have FUN!
- Try NOT to get sent home for Badness.
- Make a yummy Burger at Hobo cookout.
- I will succeed in listening to the counselors at KEEC.
- On Thursday, do Something you want to do NOT Something your friends want to do.
- Learn about Nature.
- Be good and respectful at KEEC.

Hello by mail

Probably one of the coolest things in the world of camping is receiving MAIL FROM HOME AND RELATIVES!  So, here is the address:

Keewaydin Environmental Education Center

10 Keewaydin RD

Salisbury VT 05769

EMERGENCY PHONE CONTACT: We are sharing the KEEC number with all parents in the event you have a true emergency and need to contact camp. Please know that this particular number has an answering machine and often a call will not go through to the director until he listens to calls. I am sure that you will find one of us at camp by calling this number. If your child has an emergency while at camp, we have three phone numbers that you have given to us and we will certainly contact you immediately. Thanks!

(802)-352-1052 Keewaydin Emergency Phone Number

Packing do's and don'ts

There is never bad weather, only bad clothing.

It is essential that your child is properly equipped for an active week of outdoor exploration while at KEEC. Our ‘classroom’ is out-of-doors and we’ll be in it rain or shine. The cabins and dining hall are heated with wood stoves; however, in early spring or late fall, it can be quite cool, even inside the buildings. These seasons also present us with all kinds of fun moisture. It is VITAL your child be prepared. We are learning to appreciate nature with all of its diversity and it is important that your child be prepared and as comfortable as possible.

Packing for this experience can be a great lesson for your child and one that will have a lasting impact all week. Packing is a very important step. Your child needs to bring as few things as possible without sacrificing comfort and basic needs.

This can be a creative process. Your child should learn what is functional and what is luxury, what is essential and what is unnecessary. Simplicity is the rule of thumb. Packing old, dark clothes is best as we will be sitting on the ground, rocks, limbs; whatever we find, wherever we go. If you’re worried about something being stained, don’t send it.

Feet deserve special mention since we will be on them all week. Functional, comfortable shoes are VITAL at all times on campus. We do a lot of hiking, wet and dry. Dry, warm feet are the best feet around. A lot of socks and 2-3 pair of shoes/boots would be perfect. Awareness of the state of the earth in context with mud and moisture could be helpful when packing.

Nature’s classroom also presents us with an abundant amount of mosquitoes at times. It is helpful for your child to dress appropriately and to bring insect repellent. Jean-weight pants, long sleeve shirts and long socks and bandannas for necks and ankles are invaluable protection against bug bites.

We suggest packing in one piece of luggage in addition to a day pack since space on the school bus and in cabins is limited. Pack sheets and essentials for the first day last to make unpacking easier. Knowing how to dress for the elements is a key part in enjoying your surroundings. Layering is essential; buying new things is not. We do not want you to buy anything for this one week, which will not be used at other times. Please borrow anything on the list that you don’t have. And don’t forget to:

LABEL! LABEL! LABEL! LABEL! LABEL! LABEL! LABEL! LABEL! LABEL!

LABEL! LABEL!

NECESSARY ITEMS

****RAINCOAT OR PONCHO (even better with a hood!)****

*rain pants (or warm-up athletic pants if you don't have them)

*warm fall/spring jacket

*shoes/boots/sneakers for hiking
PLEASE NOTE CLOSED TOED SHOES REQUIRED FOR ALL OF OUR INVESTIGATIONS!  Crocs or flip-flops are not acceptable footwear for hiking.

*socks: warm and abundant! 6-8 or more!

*heavy sweater (fleece is best, it works when wet! or wool.)

*warm shirts

*long and short sleeve lightweight shirts-6-8 total

*3-4 long pants

*pajamas

*underwear -

*shower towel and soaps

*warm sleeping bag or warm sheets

*pillow (they are also provided)

*warm hat/cap/bandanna-all three is good!

*flashlight-or 2!

*2-3 pens or pencils

*day pack-small (for raingear/journal/water on hikes)

*Water bottle (one liter soda bottles work beautifully)

*reading book

NOTE: Wool blankets and pillows (if you don’t bring one) are supplied by

Keewaydin.

OPTIONAL ITEMS

*long underwear (for early spring or late fall, check weather forecast)

*rubber boots for wet walking

*letter writing material, stamped

*bathrobe

*camera and film (we have several digitals-please send disposables!)

*binoculars

*musical instruments

*sunglasses

*chapstick/sunscreen

*bathing suit

*shoes/sandals to wear in water (no flip-flops please)

*shower shoes

*fishing poles

*insect repellant

DO NOT BRING  ( NOT allowed!- You will be asked to leave camp if found with these items)

*food, candy, gum, drinks of any kind

*cell phones, electronic games, any electronic device not listed above

*radios, cassette players, CD players, etc.

*knives

*perfume/spray deodorant - because of allergies