The fifth grade class adventured on a one-mile interactive snowshoe loop, stopping to spot animal tracks, identify different types of snowflakes, create a “human” tree that fended off invasive bugs, and learn about animal hibernation and camouflaging techniques. Lunch was spent around a warm campfire with a surprise arrival of hot chocolate (thanks Mr. Palmer & Mr. Olson). In the afternoon, students hiked out again with various snow science tools: thermometers, shovels, probes, rulers and magnifying lenses. They learned about the water cycle and how to dig into the snowpack to examine its different layers and features. Catamount will submit the measurements they took into the national Community Snow Observation Project, making them all citizen scientists! It was a really fun experience, and I was so happy to see all of our children embrace the elements, work together and make the most of this very special opportunity, which was only available to 20 classes in the state through a grant to Catamount. Many thanks to Ms. Johns for securing this opportunity for our class, Mr. Olson and Mr. Palmer for leading the students through the chilly day, Mr. Unser for getting our children there and back safely and Ms. Darland, Mr. Diehl-Noble and the LCWS staff for pulling it all together.
— Parent and chaperone, Ana Klara Anderson
