“Dear Mountain School,
Thank you for the fun hikes and delicious food. I loved looking at pieces of the forest in the microscope lab.
Sincerely,
Student”
It is rare to hear first hand from students what they remember the most from their educational experiences. Whenever it happens it is one of the best gifts an educator can receive. Early this week Whatcom Hills Waldorf School sent the Mountain School staff letters about their time spent last fall season in the mountains of the North Cascades.
Each letter was filled not only with thankfulness but depictions of some of the best teaching spots during Mountain School. All of the names have been censored for the students’ protection.
“Dear Mountain School,
Thank you so much for making sure that we had a good time. The food was delicious, especially the cookies. You made the lessons fun and the hikes awesome. I learned lots of new games and how to use a microscope.
Sincerely,
Student”
Depicted is the waterfall that is at the top of the Sourdough Creek Trail, an excellent spot for lunch!
“Dear Mountain School,
Thank you for teaching us new games like impulse, bat and moth and ninja. I also liked the food, especially the lasagna and cookies! Thank you for taking us to the waterfall and Buster Brown field. I really liked when we played camouflage there that was fun. Oh, and thank you for letting us sleep in comfortable beds instead of tents.
Sincerely,
Student”
When students come up to the Environmental Learning Center for three days of Mountain School they spend all day out exploring the trails and sleep in one of our three dorms.
“Dear Mountain School,
Thank you for the amazing nutritious stir-fry, and thank you for the phenomenal instructors, and all the fun activities, especially the silent walk.
PS: Ben was really funny.
Sincerely,
Student”
I wonder which the student found funnier: my song about amphibians or my fungi joke?
“Dear Mountain School,
Thank you for providing us with delicious and nutritious lasagna, breakfasts and lunches. Thank you also for the night hike and the awesome mints that sparkled, they were so good! And thank you for letting us play on the rocks at the waterfall!
Sincerely,
Student”
I know our Mountain School staff can’t wait for the next season to start. Can you?
*I originally wrote this article for Chattermarks, the official blog of the North Cascades Institute. You can find all of my posts on Chattermarks here.