November,1995 |
Canoeing, Rope Climbing, and Dry Tuna with an Onion
By Marcella Lawson
Central students and chaperones traveled to the foothills of the Berkshires
in southern Massachusetts for a three day expedition of camping, white water
canoeing, technological rock climbing, caving for bats, negotiating high
and low rope courses, hiking, and other adventures.
The trip took place the first weekend in October and was organized by English teacher Mr. John Bauby as part of the High Expectations cluster program, which is geared to motivating students to have high standards for achievement in school and in life.
"Camping is a great way to get exercise, meet new people, and have fun. My hope is the experience opens the minds of the students," said Bauby.
The campers slept on a wooden platform with a tent covering overhead and ate a Spartan diet. Each day campers received one can of tuna fish (no mayo), one onion, two slices of bread, an orange, and water to drink.
"It was straight. I had mad fun! I wish I could go again!" said Terrence Johnson.
One of the most memorable events was negotiating a fifty foot sky line course. A few students overcame their fear of heights. They really had no choice. In some instances the only way to get from one place to another was to glide over a ditch on a single cable.
"We were strapped into a harness, holding on to an overhead handle and had to jump off a platform and glide across to another platform about sixty feet away. This was very fun and a great experience," said Kawana Hardy.
