Low Ropes Course Activities and a Service Project Kept AXL 8th Graders Engaged During Their Winter CAP Overnight at Cal-Wood
Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy 8th graders were eager for another winter overnight CAP trip, expecting and excited for the same winter activities as last year, including snowshoeing, snow ball fights, making snowmen and igloos. As the day approached, we were humbled to learn that there would not be any snow for said activities. We embarked on our trip to Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown, CO, unsure of what the trip would hold. The upside of not having snow on our trip was that we could use the low ropes course on site, since the elements would not be slippery.
We immediately unloaded the vans and suited up for our first game: Jays and Juncos, a game that challenges students acting as Juncos to store “seeds” in their nests in the forests without letting other students, who were acting as Jays, find and steal their seed stache. Students quickly became competitive, hunting down the best places for hiding their seeds, and practicing stealth strategies.
We warmed back up by scarfing down a warm lunch of hot ramen with hard boiled eggs, seaweed, chicken, and green onion. Our first low ropes activity was “Ants on a Log” wherein students are challenged to balance on a log as they place themselves in order of the alphabet by first name or in order by birthday without stepping off the log. This proved to be frustrating for some students and an exciting task for others.
Our second low ropes challenge was slightly more silly, with everyone balancing on a large teeter-totter while trying various activities such as singing “row, row, row your boat” or swapping places with other students while trying not to let the teeter-totter touch the ground. Students then enjoyed some free time outside playing soccer and whiffle ball, while others participated in a guided mediation led by our AXL chaperone. One student spent their free time just taking in the views, saying “the view looks AI” as we looked across hilltops and trees in all directions.
“The view looks AI.”
Eventually, with the sun setting and temperatures dropping, we all headed indoors for our seed cleaning service project to help restore the landscape after a fire in 2020 that burned half of the Cal-Wood property. In small groups, our class got to work separating Golden Banner native wildflower seeds from their pods. Using this quiet time to connect and slow down, students were meticulously popping open seed pods and collecting seeds. In the spring, these seeds will be sown to help reestablish roots in the ground post-wildfire.
After our service project, we were ready for a dinner of pizza, garlic bread, and salad. With full bellies, students were ready to brave the cold for our night hike. The moon was shining so bright that we all agreed to keep our headlamps off, admiring the stars and the silhouettes of ponderosa pines surrounding us. We took a break to pass around wintergreen life savers, for students to see blue sparks flying out of everyone’s mouths as we crushed on the sugar crystals of the candy. A wave of “Oooos” and ‘wows!” echoed through the dark. Along the hike back, we paused to appreciate tracks and scat that lined the trail.
The next morning, we fueled up with bagels and oatmeal before some morning stretches to prep for the most challenging low ropes course thus far…the spider web. Made up of ropes tied between two trees with holes barely big enough to fit through, students were tasked with the mission to get from one side to the other without touching the ropes. This meant students had to practice carrying each other through the taller holes, and coach each other through other parts. Students reflected on how proud they were of their communication skills and teamwork to accomplish the hardest challenge yet.
Before heading back to AXL Academy, we enjoyed a bit more free time with a fruit roll up challenge and two silly rounds of the game mafia, facilitated by our amazing chaperone. During our debrief, everyone mentioned their favorite moments and gave shoutouts to peers that were helpful or kind. From there, we cleaned up, packed up our belongings, and hit the road.
A big thanks to the funders and supporters that make the CAP class possible, including: Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Great Outdoors Colorado, Patagonia, PeyBack Foundation, Strear Family Foundation, Thorne Nature Experience, Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program and the Xcel Energy Foundation.
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