Chipmunk Class Campout

Another great Mountain Sun campout is now in the books. The Chipmunk class camped out on Thursday, October 6th, and was blessed with perfect camping weather. The day started with a drive to Gorges State Park where the students enjoyed an animal tracks class and cast-making led by a state park ranger. While the cast of tracks dried everyone ate lunch at a shelter and then hiked down to see Bearwallow Falls. Steven Scott, father of Wiley, led the hike and helped explain flora and fauna on the way.

Next stop was White Pines group campground in Pisgah Forest to set up for the evening. This is where the fun really kicked in with the kids running through the campsite, playing in the creek, and enjoying the perfect autumn weather. After a make-your-own tacos dinner, everyone gathered around the fire to experience the community with s'mores and a sing along. As several chipmunk parents led the amazing music, the students sat shoulder to shoulder around the fire with the warm glow lighting their faces. Around 8 pm everyone sleepily drifted off to their tents for story time and then lights out. A quiet night was had by all, and thankfully the whippoorwill stayed away.

In the morning precisely at 7:00 a.m. tent zippers opened, and the energized kids emerged for playtime while the parents organized breakfast. A great meal was served with eggs, sausage, oatmeal, coffee (for the adults) and fresh fruit. Then Morgan and Chelsea gathered the chipmunks for instruction time while parents broke down camp. Then it was off for another fun hike on the trail behind the visitors center and more nature-based learning. The day was rounded out with lunch at Sycamore Flats and back to school for dismissal.