Angevine Middle School Students Discover the Joy of Snow Through a Brainard Lake Quinzee Construction Adventure
Written by CI Field Instructor Hailey Schmidt. Earlier this February, the Angevine Middle School (AMS) CAP class was able to enjoy a wintery excursion despite the unseasonably warm weather. Up at Brainard Lake, the sun was out, the birds were singing, and there was sufficient snow on the ground to romp around and build a quinzee.
We met students at Angevine Middle School, and the energy was bright and buzzing as students arrived for their not-so-normal day of school. After ensuring that everyone had the appropriate gear for a day in the snow, we left Angevine and made our way up to Brainard Lake. Once we arrived, we wasted no time finding a spot to build a quinzee. We were lucky enough to find a spot only a short walk from our vehicles. Shovels were doled out, and we made our way with the sleds to a perfect clearing. Getting to work right away, the students learned about the use of quinzees and how to make one. The AMS CAP class made a strong and efficient team, and very quickly there was a huge snow pile in front of us.
While we waited for the quinzee to set before digging it out, we enjoyed pita pizzas for lunch. We had some brave feathery visitors trying to get a peck of their food. This gave instructors the opportunity to discuss the importance of not feeding wild animals, and it also gave students the opportunity to practice their bird calls.
“I like being out here better than playing video games.”
After lunch, the quinzee needed a little more time, so students set out on a scavenger hunt to find common nature sightings in the area, including different tree species and animal tracks. The students really enjoyed getting to explore deeper into the forest and deeper into the snow! They were able to identify many items on the list and also became curious about other things they observed. The power of this experience was very clear- one shared with an instructor, “I like being out here better than playing video games”.
Some students continued to explore while others began to dig out the quinzee. Entrances were constructed on opposite sides, and the students worked hard to clear out a path and connect the entrances with a tunnel. This was laborious and also difficult for multiple students to work on at once, so they took turns. While taking breaks, students admired the environment around them. One student found a comfy spot in the snow to lay down. After looking up at the blue sky for a while he said, “This is SO peaceful.”
“This is SO peaceful.”
Eventually, the tunnel was completed, and everyone gathered back around it. We took time to admire the hard work, and then everyone took a turn crawling through. It was fun to see everyone’s smiles when they emerged! We quickly reflected on our day, and students expressed that they had a fun time in the snow. This trip was special because everyone was able to enjoy the snow in a way that was exciting to them. Overall, it was a wonderful day for students to connect with nature in beautiful Colorado.
A big thanks to the funders and supporters that make the CAP class possible, including: Canvas Foundation, 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.
If you’re also passionate about helping students get outdoors for unique learning opportunities, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!
