Camping Trip

Are you ready for some camping, with a twist? As you probably
know by now we plan to make this trip exciting and fun. We would like
to help you be as prepared as possible to ensure that you all have a
good time.
We have planned many team events that will be both physically and
or mentally challenging. Following is a list of what you should bring
with you.

A bagged LUNCH for Monday. (dinner, snacks and breakfast will be
provided)
2 pair of sneakers (in case one gets wet) please don’t wear flip flops
or sandals.
a folding chair
Sleeping bag, pillow, vapor barrier (so sleeping bag doesn’t get wet
cardboard works well)
Personal hygiene items
Rain coat or poncho
Swim wear, towel
Sun block, bug spray
Clothing for warm weather as well as for cool weather (just in case)
Warm ,dry clothes to sleep in. It will get cold at night time
Flashlight
There is a snack bar so you may bring money if you wish

We are very fortunate to have access to this campground. It is
important that we all behave as respectfully as possible. Remember to
pick up all of your garbage and obey all rules. There will be other
campers there as well so we won’t want to intrude on what they may be
doing. It is our hope that we will be welcomed back in the future since
this site meets our needs so well. Thank you and we are looking forward
to seeing you. (Meet for bus Monday 27th at CMS at 9am sharp...return Tues 28th at 12 noon)

Schedule updates

Hi kids,

I didn't get official word yet, but let's figure on doing a kayak/canoe workshop on Wednesday August 22. 9am - 2:30 for Group A. bring a lunch, waterbottle etc. We will start at the school and likely head toward the Hudson but enter the Dubois Creek (tide permitting).

Let's figure on doing a kayak/canoe workshop on Tuesday August 21. 9am - 2:30 for Group B. bring a lunch, waterbottle etc. We will start at the school and likely head toward the Hudson but enter the Dubois Creek (tide permitting).

The camping trip will be at White Birches Campsites in Windham. More info to come.

Glen Again!

Thanks to the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Abel of the Astoria Motor Court, we returned to austin's Glen. We were joined by Laura Carrozza, an Art graduate of CGCC. It was a 90˚ day so we spent much of the time in the water.

Laura molded a clay head from the local clay.
...and made an arrangement of wildflower petals.

RSVP for Camping by 7/29!

Here is the info we have so far about the camping trip. I will update soon.

Mon-Tues, Aug 27-28
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location TBA
Camp Out

E-mail Mr. C that you are coming or not by 7/29! Please respond either way!
ccarrozz@catskillcsd.org
We will meet at Catskill MS and leave by 9am sharp. We will set up camp (location TBA), then enjoy the day. We’ll cook dinner on a camp fire. After breakfast we will break, camp, and return to the school by noon.

North Lake: Escarpment Trail

We took a bus ride to North/South Lake. Mr. Carrozza told us about the grand hotels of the past and the Catskill Mountain House as we stood in its location until it was burned down. by the ledge we found old names and dates carved in the stone. We found painter, Thomas Cole and the owner of the hotel by the name of Beach.

We spent most of our time hiking the Blue Trail to Boulder Rock. There, we ate lunch. After that we hiked back and relaxed by South Lake.

A Day at Second Bridge

We had a beautiful day at Second Bridge. We hiked up Austin's Glen and swam in the many swimming holes. We marveled at the rock formations and erosion features.
There were plunge pools, waterfalls and potholes in the rock bed formed by swirling rocks over thousands of years.




We are looking into Kayaking workshops on Aug 21 and 22. We will let you know as soon as I get it confirmed.

The Schedule

Here is a repeat of the remaining schedule. Please review this often! I may be adding 3 or 4 more workshops very soon!

Group A Schedule (see Group B Schedule below)


Thurs, July 26
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Swim and Hike at
“Second Bridge”
We will meet at the Astoria Motor Court just off of old Rt. 23 near Leeds. Please make your own arrangements for transportation. Wear your bathing suit. Bring a towel, sun screen, insect repellent, and a water bottle. You bring a lunch and we’ll provide some snacks. We will be hiking this beautiful area and learn about its flora and natural history. We’ll allow time to wade in the peaceful swimming holes along the creek. Make sure you have a 2:30 pickup arranged from the same location!


Mon-Tues, Aug 27-28
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location TBA
Camp Out
E-mail Mr. C that you are coming by 7/29!
We will meet at Catskill MS and leave by 9am sharp. We will set up camp (location TBA), then enjoy the day. We’ll cook dinner on a camp fire. After breakfast we will break, camp, and return to the school by noon.

We will provide tents. You must bring a sleeping bag, personal items, and apparel needed for swimming and activities. Rain gear may be needed as well.

Group B Schedule
Date & Time
Activity


* NEW! Thurs, July 26
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Swim and Hike at
“Second Bridge”
We will meet at the Astoria Motor Court just off of old Rt. 23 near Leeds. Please make your own arrangements for transportation. Wear your bathing suit. Bring a towel, sun screen, insect repellent, and a water bottle. You bring a lunch and we’ll provide some snacks. We will be hiking this beautiful area and learn about its flora and natural history. We’ll allow time to wade in the peaceful swimming holes along the creek. Make sure you have a 2:30 pickup arranged from the same location!

Mon-Tues, Aug 27-28
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location TBA
Camp Out
E-mail Mr. C that you are coming by 7/29!
We will meet at Catskill MS and leave by 9am sharp. We will set up camp, then enjoy the day. We’ll cook dinner on a camp fire. After breakfast we will break camp, and return to the school by noon.

We will provide tents. You must bring a sleeping bag, personal items, and apparel needed for swimming and activities. Rain gear may be needed as well.

Project adventure at CGCC

We spent the day at Columbia Greene community College.
The expert trainers lead us in group building and challenge activities.

The giant teeterboard is called "Whale Watch." We moved from side to side as we tried to get the board balanced. It took cooperation, but we got it eventually.


We had to figure out how to get everybody into the giant cargo net. We had to give each other a "boost" in order to get our head and body into an opening. the last person had to get up all by theirself.

Canoeing The Ramshorn Creek

Led by Warden/Educator Larry Federman, group b got to canoe down a different sort of creek. The Catskill Creek is a youthful stream in the location we explored last week and had a straighter course complete with small rapids. The Ramshorn is an old age stream. It has meanders, oxbows, and slow moving water. We saw very different plant and other wildlife there.



Some of us had never canoed before. It took practice and cooperation to keep the canoe going straight!








When we entered the Hudson it was very windy. By canoeing through the water plants we were better able to steer.

A Great Day on the Sloop Clearwater!

The group is ready to board ship

The Not Me Not Now groups from Catskill and Hudson joined together
for this special experience. All 50 of us fit on the Clearwater. The sloop is dedicated to the protection of the Hudson River.



The next chore was to raise the sails. The 3000 lb main sail is the
largest in the eastern states!



We got to steer the Clearwater by moving the rudder as instructed by the captain!



The giant "fish" was used as a visual aid when we learned about
bio-accumulation of toxins such as PCBs.



We used a giant net to catch some aquatic life. we put the fish in a tank. after we learned about them, the fish were returned to the Hudson.



We used this special device to determine the clarity (turbidity) of
the Hudson River water. The cloudiness is caused by plankton and silt
not by pollution. The Hudson is becoming healthy again!

Group B Kayaks the Catskill Creek

Group B had a great day exploring the Catskill Creek. This was the first time in a kayak for some!
Look for an e-mail about the Clearwater Experience. The time and meeting place will be changed. The Clearwater will be meeting us here at Catskill.

Group B Dragonflies

Group B found six different species of Dragonflies and Damselflies. We were glad to take a dip in the 95˚ temperatures! Thanks again to Mr. Federman the assistant warden and educational coordinator of the Rams Horn Livingston Marsh Sanctuary.

Group A: What A Day To Be On the Water!

Group A had quite an adventure.
We kayaked and portaged West on Catskill Creek as far as we could go!

Group A Studies Dragonflies

Some images of today's Dragonfly Workshop.





Canoeing/Kayaking this week...wear old sneakers or boat shoes in case we have to get out in shallow water. Wear a bathing suit. It will be hot and we'll get a chance to wade.

Please note theat the program has two groups. Each group (A or B) has a different schedule. You might want to post the schedule I gave you on the refrigerator. Keep an eye on this blog for schedule updates and last minute information.

Group A Schedule (see Group B Schedule below)
Date & Time
Activity

Mon, June 25
9:00 am- 3:00 P.M.
Real Science
Dragonfly Project
We will meet at the Middle School parking lot. We will walk to the Livingston Marsh Sanctuary where Mr. Larry Federman will teach us how to capture dragonflies and gather scientific data for state-wide study. Bring water and a bag lunch! Bring sun screen if you need it!

Tues, June 26
9:00 am- 2:30 P.M.
Park Clean-Up
& Canoeing and Kayaking Expedition
We will meet at the middle school parking lot. We will spend some time working on the “Pocket Park.” Bring a bag lunch. Next, we will canoe or kayak on the Catskill Creek, and either the DuBois Creek, Hudson River, and the Ramshorn Creek.


Fri, July 6
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Sail On the Sloop Clearwater
We will get on the bus at CMS at 8:30. We will travel to Kingston to begin the ultimate Adventure! Clearwater serves as a moveable classroom, laboratory, stage, and forum. We’ll sail the Hudson River and take part in activities to learn how to protect the Hudson River, its tributaries and related water bodies. Bring a bag lunch. We will return about 2:00PM.

Monday, July 9
9:00AM - 2:30PM
Real Science
Dragonflies & Kayaking
We will meet at the Middle School parking lot. In the morning, we will walk to the Livingston Marsh Sanctuary where Mr. Larry Federman will teach us how to capture dragonflies and gather scientific data for state-wide study. After lunch we will canoe or kayak on the Ramshorn Creek. Bring a bag lunch.


Fri, July 13
9:00 - 2:00
Project Adventure at CGCC
Please provide your own transportation to Columbia Greene Community College or Carpool. We will meet near the tennis courts at 9:00. We will have a great time using their Project Adventure Park under trained supervision.
Bring a bag lunch. We will provide drinks.


Tues, July 24
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
A Day of Hiking and Swimming at North Lake
We will get on the bus at CMS at 9:00. At North/South Lake we will enjoy the day at the beach with a picnic lunch and hike the Escarpment Trail. The bus will take us back to CMS to be picked up by 2:00PM.

Thurs, July 26
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Swim and Hike at
“Second Bridge”
We will meet at the Astoria Motor Court just off of old Rt. 23 near Leeds. Please make your own arrangements for transportation. Wear your bathing suit. Bring a towel, sun screen, insect repellent, and a water bottle. You bring a lunch and we’ll provide some snacks. We will be hiking this beautiful area and learn about its flora and natural history. We’ll allow time to wade in the peaceful swimming holes along the creek. Make sure you have a 2:30 pickup arranged from the same location!


Mon-Tues, Aug 27-28
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location TBA
Camp Out
We will meet at Catskill MS and leave by 9am sharp. We will set up camp, then enjoy the day. We’ll cook dinner on a camp fire. After breakfast we will break, camp, and return to the school by noon.

We will provide tents. You must bring a sleeping bag, personal items, and apparel needed for swimming and activities. Rain gear may be needed as well.

Group B Schedule
Date & Time
Activity

Wed., June 27
9:00 am- 3:00 P.M.
Real Science
Dragonfly Project
We will meet at the Middle School parking lot. We will walk to the Livingston Marsh Sanctuary where Mr. Larry Federman will teach us how to capture dragonflies and gather scientific data for state-wide study. Bring water and a bag lunch! Bring sun screen if you need it!

Fri., June 29
9:00 am- 2:30 P.M.
Park Clean-Up
& Canoeing and Kayaking Expedition
We will meet at the middle school parking lot. We will spend some time working on the “Pocket Park.” Bring a bag lunch. Next, we will canoe or kayak on the Catskill Creek, and either the DuBois Creek, Hudson River, and the Ramshorn Creek.


Fri, July 6
8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Sail On the Sloop Clearwater
We will get on the bus at CMS at 8:30. We will travel to Kingston to begin the ultimate Adventure! Clearwater serves as a movable classroom, laboratory, stage, and forum. We’ll sail the Hudson River and take part in activities to learn how to protect the Hudson River, its tributaries and related water bodies. Bring a bag lunch. We will return about 2:00PM.

Tues, July 10
9:00AM - 2:30PM
Real Science
Dragonflies & Kayaking
We will meet at the Middle School parking lot. In the morning, we will walk to the Livingston Marsh Sanctuary where Mr. Larry Federman will teach us how to capture dragonflies and gather scientific data for state-wide study. After lunch we will canoe or kayak on the Ramshorn Creek. Bring a bag lunch.


Fri, July 13
9:00 - 2:00
Project Adventure at CGCC
Please provide your own transportation to Columbia Greene Community College or Carpool. We will meet near the tennis courts at 9:00. We will have a great time using their Project Adventure Park under trained supervision.
Bring a bag lunch. We will provide drinks.

Mon-Tues, Aug 27-28
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location TBA
Camp Out
We will meet at Catskill MS and leave by 9am sharp. We will set up camp, then enjoy the day. We’ll cook dinner on a camp fire. After breakfast we will break camp, and return to the school by noon.

We will provide tents. You must bring a sleeping bag, personal items, and apparel needed for swimming and activities. Rain gear may be needed as well.

Goals and Description

Greater Sense of Place (Not Me Not Now: Group A)
Summer Leadership Program
Carl Carrozza/Patti Jo Payne

In 1825, budding artist Thomas Cole came to the Catskills to paint. The paintings he created on this trip launched the Hudson River School of Art and forever connected the American artists to the scenery about them.
Realizing the importance of cultivating an appreciation and understanding of the world in which we live, the land we call home, the Catskill Middle School has, as one of its missions, the task of creating “A Greater Sense of Place.” Through field trips, ongoing workshops, involvement with the community, redesigned curriculums, acquisition of outdoor equipment and staff development he school has created opportunities for learning in the outdoors.
Funding from the Abstinence education and Promotion Program allows us to continue to offer The Greater Sense of Place Summer Leadership Program. This outdoor program is intended to serve twelve to fifteen local middle school aged students. This year we would like to focus on developing outdoor skills, social consciousness, and an knowledge of natural history in the participants.
The program consists of several activities that include Environmental Awareness, Natural History, and Outdoor Education Experiences. Students will learn cooperation and problem solving during a Project Adventure activity at CGCC. There will be two canoeing/kayaking experiences, a day hike, a cruise on a sailing ship, an overnight “Survivor” camp out, and a scientific study on dragonflies. These experiences will enable participants to enjoy the great natural environment of Greene County and the healthy recreational outlets it offers. Participants will also do their part to help beautify the Middle School Pocket Park and Field Station that serves as our home base.
The program will be documented and presented in the form of a web page or slide presentation which will be a joint effort of the participants and advisors.
Past participants have shown significant growth and success at Catskill Middle/High School, both personally and academically. We believe that the participants will learn a great deal from each other as well as from the activities planned.
We will try to make future announcements through the summer on-line
http://catskillgsop.blogspot.com/

The objectives of our program include:

• providing teens with healthy forms of enjoyable activity
• providing participants with activities to improve their ability to solve problems in a functional group situation
• providing participants the opportunity to build confidence and self-esteem
• providing participants the opportunity to interact in a positive manner
• providing male and female members an opportunity to engage socially in acceptable and
constructive ways
• providing participants with an opportunity to serve the needs of the community and the environment.
• learning natural and art history firsthand.

The Catskill Greater Sense of Place Blog Begins

This blog will be used to help communicate information about Greater Sense of Place activities. I expect that it will first become active for the GSOP Summer Program. It may also tie in to activities related to "Kindred Spirits Wilderness Experiences." KSWE is an adventure based organization led by Barry Hopkins, Carl Carrozza, and Wayne Fisher.

This blog may also come to play when the Greater Sense of Place Program returns to Catskill Middle School at the end of September.