Finding My Inner Robin Hood

Lessons from Outdoor School

May 30, 2013

This week, instead of living like a Kindergartner, I’ve been living like a 6th grader, I spent a week in the mountains at Camp Cuyamaca with my students at Outdoor School (or what most of us call 6th grade camp). For teachers the hardest part is not being able to go home and do all normal home-activities. But as far as actually work goes, it’s a pretty easy gig. Teachers have certain duties they have to attend like meals, recess supervision, classroom meetings, but in between all that teachers are given hours and hours of free time while the camp staff takes care of all the kids. Having so much free time this week has given me plenty of hours to think about things. Here are some of the things I’ve pondered and re-learned:

1 - Being outdoors really is vital. It’s amazing watching my students and seeing how good they look outside. They are so happy, and healthy looking. Not all of this is because they’re outside; they are also given independence and freedom and a break from the tedious activities in school, but I don’t think you could deny the benefits of kids being outside. I feel a renewed desire to make sure that my kids spend as much time outside this summer as possible.

2 - I’m really glad that most days do not give me so much free time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been great getting to read, check emails, search the web, take naps, take walks, but in truth I have missed being busier. I am grateful that I have a job that keeps me busy during the day in productive ways so that I don’t slip into lackadaisical living. What I need to do is find a more proper balance of busyness vs. free time.

3 - Having people cook and clean for you is awesome. When will my kids be old enough to do this for me?

4 - It’s important to keep learning new skills. This is already part of my “live like a kindergartner” mantra, and it’s still true. This week I’ve been able to do some archery, a sport I’ve done before and have always loved. I think all of my years of pitching has given me a good start on shooting a bow. Pitching and archery require a lot of the same muscle movements and the concentration needed to throw a strike is similar to the focus needed to hit a target. Besides, bows and arrows are totally “in” right now. Think of Katniss, and Legolas, and Robin Hood (I'm actually really into Robin Hood right now), and all the zombie stuff. Even Jane Austen has archery in her books--as my hubby pointed out to me. I would really like to pursue this hobby of mine and hopefully even take my husband shooting with me for a totally cheap date.

5 - Elementary teachers truly are important. I already know this, of course, so this week has merely added to my opinions about why teachers are so crucial. After all, who else would be willing to do this? Even though classroom teachers aren’t really teaching while at camp, the fact that we are here making sure everything is ok, is a big relief to parents sending their babies up in the mountains. The counselors always say things like “your teachers are here, because they know you best” and it really is true. Outside of family (and the point of this week is in part to get away from one’s family for a spell) teachers know these kids the best. I hope I always remember to treat my kids’ teachers with the respect that most of them really do earn.