JACK LAZAR '09
An exceptionally reflective young man, Jack has matured through Catlin Gabel’s outdoor program

From the spring 2009 Caller
 

BECOMING A LEADER
The outdoor program allowed me to develop my leadership skills. I never really thought I’d be where I am now. In my freshman and sophomore years, no one did: I had abilities but didn’t apply myself. Now I challenge myself and try to make my work as personal as possible.

INFLUENCES
Photography opened my eyes to how visuals can speak of hidden meanings. Literature opened me to a world of creative writing and interpretation. Philosophy with Michael Heath opened me to a world of thought.

LEARNING THROUGH HARD TIMES
My mom was extremely ill when I was in 6th grade and became paraplegic. It’s been one of the most influential, sensitive, and defining times of my life. I had to realize that my parents weren’t perfect or immortal at a much younger age than most people do. I also have ADHD, a primary cause of my social isolation. These problems caused a painful awareness that made me stronger and allowed me to develop in a different way.

COLLEGE PLANS—AND FUTURE THOUGHTS
I have enrolled at Whitman, but I plan on taking a year off. There are so many possibilities. I will probably do some humanitarian work, traveling, mountaineering, maybe even medical training or a gap year program. I want to help others develop their passions. Catlin Gabel has taught me more than just biology or pre-calculus or literature. It’s taught me to be proud of what I’m passionate about, how to think wholly but critically, how to be flexible, and how to determine my future. Success comes from your resourcefulness, not your resources

This January, a group of seven middle schoolers took an awesome overnight cross-country ski adventure to Peterson Prairie near Mt. Adams. We met on a cold morning and drove through forests blanketed with snow to the Atkinson Snow Park. We donned our overnight packs and skied in fabulous conditions up the well-groomed forest road.

We explored the surrounding area: frozen rivers, icicles, and snow slopes were abundant.

We cooked a huge pasta dinner, created a variety show, made smores, and had no problems tucking ourselves into warm, comfortable beds.

It snowed lightly all night and we woke up to 24 degrees, 3-4 inches of fresh snow, and blue-white marble skies.

After a huge oatmeal breakfast and a thorough cleaning of the cabin, we departed—-visiting the ice cave on the way back to the bus.

Students explored the length of the cave, fascinated by the frozen pools on the cave floor and the huge icicles. We emerged from the cave, had lunch in the snow, and skied back to the bus.

The students warmed up with cookies inside the bus and we drove back. It was a perfect weekend in the snowy woods of Southern Washington.

A group of Middle School students met at noon on the 27th and (just barely) made the 15-minute ride bus to La Finquita Del Buho (The Little Farm of the Owl), a small, organic farm in Hillsboro. Once at the farm, we briefly discussed the economics and logistics of the CSA and the farm. We introduced ourselves to the owner/operators of the farm and enjoyed a tour of this quaint farm.

Our first farm chore was to collect eggs from the trailer that served as the henhouse. The kids laughed and screamed when interacting with the chickens. We fed the chickens and then watched the pigs take a mud bath to cool off (the weather was enjoyably warm).

Our next task was to clear the ground in the apple orchard so that we had space to set up tents. The students sorted the good apples from the bad (the good apples were later pressed for fresh pear-apple cider—the best we’d ever tasted—and the bad apples were fed to the goats, pigs, chickens, and turkeys), and then set up their tents. After tent set-up, we enjoyed some relaxing time in the hammock and tire swing before we went back to farm chores.

The afternoon was spent caring for the animals (goat nails needed to be clipped and medicine given) and harvesting fruits and vegetables for the amazing pizza dinner that would come later. The vast majority of the food consumed on the trip was harvested by the students the day of the trip.

The working conditions were very harsh!

Fresh, hot pizza was cooked in the outside wood-burning pizza oven, after which we played a group card game, chatted about the day, and ate s’mores and fresh apple pie. We had a big, scary, false alarm where we thought we’d lost a kitten and went on an exhilarating flashlight kitten search before we were told that the kitten had been taken from the farm.

After a cold night, the morning brought a breakfast of student-cooked oats, hot cider, hot chocolate, and cereal. The sun rose and soon warmed the environment and we assisted with the farm’s harvest. We helped pick a great deal of cherry and heirloom tomatoes and a bushel of apples right off the tree. The owners/operators of the farm spent a great deal of their time with us and we reciprocated by assisting greatly in their harvest—the food we picked went directly on sale!

We played one last group game, said goodbye to our new friends (both friend and animal), and drove back to Catlin. Hopefully we’ve planted the seed to a life-long appreciation of small farming.

By Peter Green

Whether we go on a rafting trip, climbing trip, or bicycling trip, students learn from being given responsibility to take care of themselves and their friends. They need to make choices about setting up their own shelters, cooking meals for the group, maneuvering the raft through rapids, and selecting a good climbing route. Although adults are always present and have set expectations and defined boundaries, we aren’t directing the students.

The outdoor program gives all students an opportunity to learn by experiencing and experimenting. Sometimes kids who are exceptional classroom students seek out a trip so they can grow in new ways—so they can enhance their emotional, social, and leadership qualities. Then there are those who are not as successful in the classroom but who find that they excel, that they are the best among their peers, in certain outdoor pursuits. When they bring these successes back to campus, we sometimes see these students make strides in their classroom expectations and socially among their peers. Kids need to have areas where they feel competent. When they do, they are better overall learners and certainly happier in their lives.

Lower Schoolers on "An Excellent Adventure"

Peter Green is the director of Catlin Gabel's outdoor program.

Mount St. Helens Climb: June 10-11, 2007

The last few steps to the summit!

We made it! (Check out that crater rim in the background.)

Seven recently graduated 8th graders (plus one incoming 8th grader) huffed and puffed their way through clouds, sleet and sun to the 8365 foot high summit of Mount St. Helens. The effort invested in ascending the snowy slopes of the peak was rewarded with "summit tarts," satisfaction in a difficult thing done well, and a long speedy glissade back down the "hill".

We had planned to spend the day before the climb doing "snow school"--learning how to kick steps, self-arrest (front, back, feet-first and head-first) and glissade (controlled seated slide)--but as we neared the mountain, the steady rain began. Sprinkles soon became a downpour, so we decided that rather than roll about in the sodden snow, we would seek shelter. We headed into Upper Ape Cave for dark explorations

By the time we returned to camp, the rain had stopped, and a delicious pasta feast was prepared. We ate, cleaned, packed, and hit the hay to be ready for the climb the next day.

We rose at six, and began our hike toward tree line. Mist enveloped us, disappeared and returned as we made our way ever upwards. We learned our snow school lessons, and began the true ascent, kicking steps in steep snow and scrambling over boulders from age old lava flows. An hour passed, then another and another, each one requiring goldfish crackers, sips of water, and small beads of sweat. At long last the summit was in view. We reached our goal and collapsed on the rim of the volcano, joyous, tired and satisfied.

Check back soon for a student trip report!

Fleeting view from the summit.

Day before the climb, outside Upper Ape Cave, in the rain.

Inside the dry, cozy confines of Upper Ape Cave.

Did we mention "cozy"?

Preparing for the big feast.

Preparing mentally for the mountain.

Running the last few feet...

...and then collapsing.

The triumphant group.

Descending

Ghosts of the Coast: February 25-26, 2007

Close Encounters, as told by Nathan (7th grade)

It was my first time on an outdoor trip. Even on the bus to the coast, we were getting to know each other. Card games dominated the day. We stopped at Tillamook cheese factory, and got some ice cream. Now, you may be thinking “wait, isn’t it supposed to be an outdoor trip? As in not sitting around eating ice cream?” As it turns out, at our next stop, a sand spit, we got right into the spirit of the trip.

When we got off the bus, Aiyana took us to a sandy spot, and told us the history of the beach. This is where we learned about the ghost part of the trip. Apparently, there used to be a town on the spit, which got washed away. The point is, we were standing on a ghost town. The funny thing was, there was no trace of a town or anything.

A short hike later, and we were on a completely deserted beach. Somehow, we got into that classic game, the one where you run from the oncoming tide, but then you remember you’re in Oregon, and it’s really cold water. We were being ourselves and getting really close. The tide seemed to come further in than anyone was used to. One unfortunate person, Talbot, happened to bend down as a new wave came. She stood up just in time to see the wave. She started to run, tripped, and fell into very very cold water. The person closest to her, me, went to fish her out. I am happy to say, that I went through both sets of clothes that day.

These trips are awesome and I recommend that you go on them. Everyone gets to know each other and it’s the most fun I’ve had on a camping trip. Just remember, always come prepared.

"This is great---no crowds!"

looking for agates

"This came down a river?!?"

"Hmm..." (entrance to the tunnel at Oceanside)

"What on earth? Where...?"

"Oohh..."

we emerge

"What if we got stranded and had to spend the night in here?"

the return--across the abyss

fun with kelp!

"Hmm...what could we do with this?"

Speed-mania! Faster!

"preparing" dinner

inside our cozy warm yurt (1 of 2)

Talbot

Aiyana

(can we say "stinky"?)

Alec

Nathan

Lauren

shiny new metal

after a stormy night, hail. Lots of hail.

our homes away from homes

trees in line on a nurse log

holding down the tip of Cape Lookout

looking back towards the campground and Netarts Bay

"what, do I have mud on my face?"

squish squashing our way back

sign reads "DANGER. DO NOT GO BEYOND THIS POINT"

it is a looong ways down

among giants

the crew

Middle School Waterfall Hike: December 19, 2006

One brisk Tuesday morning, five middle school students (accompanied by five taller folks) headed out to the Columbia River Gorge. The winds howled past us at Crown Point, the icy mist made the path slippery at Latourell Falls, yet still we continued on. At Horsetail Falls, we hit the trail, crusing past Ponytail Falls, snags, future nurse logs, switchbacks and icicles. After crossing the high bridge over Oneonta Creek, we stopped for lunch, then continued up to Triple Falls. We circled back to the bus, and made a quick stop at Multnomah Falls for some hot chocolate before heading home.

Horsethief Butte Climbing & Camping: October 13-14, 2006

Wow! We just got back from a wonderful rock climbing trip with 11 Middle Schoolers. I cannot sing their praises enough.

Early Saturday morning, these kids met at the theater parking lot ready to go, and cheerfully rode the bus east to Horsethief Butte near The Dalles. We spent five hours learning how to tie a Figure 8 knot and put on a harness, testing our skills on the rock, and exploring this amazing rock outcropping under clear skies. Saturday afternoon was spent swimming in Horsethief Lake, playing soccer and Frisbee, and generally running around. A huge meal, prepared by the kids, was followed by flashlight tag, Smores, star gazing, and a little talk about Celilo Falls. Sunday morning we went down to the Columbia River again and had a rock throwing contest, spotted hundreds of ducks, and looked at dozens of petroglyphs. The rain didnt hit until we were driving home.

An enthusiastic and large group of middle schoolers ventured to Camp Collins on the Sandy River for a three day outdoor experience in March of 2006. The students stayed in rustic cabins and spent most of each day trying their hand at various challenges provided by the on-site ropes course. During their free time students played cards and explored the area.

The intrepid group