Uppers Up, Up, and Away! (6th-8th)

For now the second time, the Uppers went on an end of year field trip to the one and only Red Gate Farm. Full of opportunities for hands on experiences with plants, animals, tools, big sleepovers, group meals, and new teachers (the farm staff), we are lucky to get to go on such a trip. Moreover, the bonding time that the students get to have with each other is invaluable to them. 

The farm staff, ranging from affable 20 somethings to veteran farmers, are some of the biggest draws for us to be at the farm. At every meal they lead the Uppers in song and dance to appreciate the food and the time we had to eat together. Not quite a grace, and not quite cheerleading for pancakes, the students were still singing when we got back to school. The staff met every learner in the moment and kept activities engaging for even the skeptical beginner farm hands among our group. Kids who we thought might be overwhelmed by challenges were instead productive and enthusiastic participants in their work on moving sheep paddocks, improving the fence on the chicken coop, weeding the garden, wheelbarrowing compost, running with goats, gathering firewood, feeding (and cuddling) poulets, and more. Extra shout out the animals, who provided endless opportunities for inquiry and cuddles.

The sleepover portion was also a total hoot. Kids did their makeup, played board games, built bunk forts, applied facial masks full of slug juice to themselves and their teachers, had tooth brushing parties, and some even got a bed-time story from Vanessa to make their sleep away from home a bit easier. It's hard to overstate how clutch of an end of year experience this is to have, where friendships get a final push and pull, strengthening for the years ahead, or going out with a bang before going separate ways in the next year.

Lastly, the farm is a year round endeavor and some of our students will participate and or visit in the year to come. They run various summer programs for children ages 5-18 and are very worth the visit. Students are encouraged to bring their families for a visit any time, any day, to walk around the property, stop and say hi to the animals, and see where the work they did has progressed to since their visit. As one of their long time staff members Sydney told us in our closing circle "All the work you did here was real work. We don't go around undoing it after you leave, and the farm and all its inhabitants really benefit from your efforts."