Coyotes, December 20

HELLO EVERYBODY!

I have decided to write the Blog! (On very short notice might I add.)  

But nonetheless, shall I begin? Okay… 

To start off a chilly day we set up some game cameras. These were different from the other ones we had previously tried to use and were much simpler to work with. 

We tracked the pawprints in the snow, trying to think where there might be actual coyotes passing by, even squirrels. 

After setting those up by securing them to trees, we headed back to the bluff. From there Ms. Lea explained how Double Ball worked. And we learned that you weren’t allowed to touch the actual ball and had to use sticks. And that it was traditionally played by only women! (Which was naturally quite fitting for our group, as we are a class of all girls!) 

It was quite fun I think, very odd from any sport I have ever played. 

We practiced throwing the sock-ball back and forth with a partner and played a few matches. We found there were lots of techniques needed and quick thinking. 

Then it was TO THE CABIN! (I apologize if the events I have written about are out of order.) And there we ate our lunch and talked lots as usual. 

Afterwards, we gathered our backpacks—and a sled full of wood!—and headed for the park! The ice-skating rink was completely frozen over and slippery. 

So we cut wood, Vita and Safiya thoroughly enjoyed chopping with the hatchet, shaved off lots of kindling, and built a fire! From there we started it easily with our flint and steel skills and a bit of dryer lint. 

Bannock was cooked over the flames, some of it burning, some browning beautifully. The French toast casserole was made with the help of our baker and the Dutch oven which we nestled into the coals of the firepit. 

We played some rounds of Red-Rover-Cross-Over. Getting knocked backward onto our backpacks was rough! But it was a blast (literally) as always. 

We ate our casserole, doused in maple syrup. Played a quick intuition game where you had to pick a spot on the field to walk to and get there with your eyes closed. 

Then it was time to start heading back to the pick-up spot. On our walk back Safiya saw Vita’s dad For The First Time In Forever. We said our hearty goodbyes, such as: “BYE!! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!” 

And the Coyote’s were whisked away by their parents and siblings… 

-Sincerely, Lucy

We look forward to seeing you back at Forest School January 10th, also a Mini Forest School Day! Happy winter break!