5th Grade Amazing Experience at Camp Tamarck

Attending camp at Camp Tamarack in Ortonville, MI is the pinnacle of fifth grade and a long standing tradition at Our Lady of the Lakes. Ask any Laker and they quickly recall fond memories and fun stories. Our current fifth graders recently returned from this exhilarating trip. They spent 3 days and 2 nights surrounded by the beautiful, picturesque 1,250 acres that comprise the camp, immersed in a once in a life time outdoor education experience.

Mrs. Donna Piot Grade 5

Led by the outstanding camp facilitators, the students participated in numerous activities including canoeing, archery, outdoor cooking, and survival games. Our students became carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores, part of the food chain, and had to learn to survive in their new role. In another kind of survival simulation, our students experienced life as a pioneer, traveling back to 1862 and working to survive as a homesteader in Smoklerville. They learned the real meaning of teamwork and being part of a community, as they worked to gather everything needed to endure two years!

Does something stink? No, not here.  Our students met Webster, the skunk, a recent edition to the Living Science program. Webster loves people and thankfully, has no scent glands. The students had the opportunity to get up close and personal with several Michigan critters as they learned about Michigan native mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and invertebrates in Tamarack Camps’ brand new nature center. They learned about adaptations and biodiversity in this great state.

The ultimate events were high ropes, rock wall climbing, and zip lining. Our students learned to reach beyond their comfort zone and feel the addictive sense of pride and accomplishment in pushing one’s self to strive for more. Whether that comfort zone ended at the top of the ladder or all the way around the 15 elements, 10 to 25 feet up in the air, our fifth graders gave it their all. Our students learned to be the cheerleaders for each other and help each other excel, going a little bit further than they could on their own.

After 3 days of incredible weather, this amazing experience came to a close and we gave thanks together. Fr. Delonnay and Mr. Tim Smith joined us at camp and held mass for us in our ‘village’ lodge. Worshipping God and expressing our appreciation for His magnificent creation was a perfect ending.

Students and parents alike (thank you volunteers!) had an outstanding experience and learned so much about nature, each other, and themselves. As the fifth grade teacher, I am blessed to experience this with my students each year and it truly is the pinnacle of fifth grade!