Today on 4U, Sussex School students describe their experiences at Camp Paxson. Sussex is a K-8 grade parent cooperative school operating in Missoula since 1971. The entire school, the staff and students (this year 72), go to Seeley Lake in September for a three-day sojourn at Camp Paxson.
At the camp the staff, students and many parents participate in a fun combination of recreational and educational activities such as an aquatic and culinary science challenge, a talent show, art projects, orienteering, kayaking and climbing a ropes course. For the past 10 years Camp Paxson has provided the Sussex community with the opportunity to get to know each other while learning about and enjoying the outdoors. Photos by Sussex staff and parents.
CAMP PAXSON
By Clara Brunner-Doerr, eighth grade
I have been to Camp Paxson for nine years now, and every year it gets better. The lodge never changes and I like it that way. When you step into the lodge, you get the first breath of Camp Paxson air. It sticks to you the rest of the time you are there, like gum in your hair - hard to get out. The dishwasher in the kitchen is so fun! I have always loved using that really old dishwasher that cleans your dishes in 10 minutes. When you pull the handle, a huge amount of steam dashes out. I am going to miss Camp Paxson. It brings out all the life in me.
SCIENCE CHALLENGE
By Faith Morrison, seventh grade
"Go!" I hear a voice yell. I look out on the eagerly waiting eyes. I get into the boat my friends and I made out of a cardboard box without a top or bottom, a black plastic bag, a wooden board, a plastic grate and a lot of duct tape. I step into the boat, holding my breath and wondering if it would fill up with water. I take a stroke with my paddle. Relieved that nothing happens, I take another stroke. Starting to pick up pace, I take another stroke and then feel all of the weight in the boat collapse over to one side. Ice cold water hits my body, and I am too shocked to hear all of the yells coming from the crowd.
ORIENTEERING
By Dani Winner, eighth grade
Orienteering. I've heard the word before, but never done it until Camp Paxson. I know one thing about future orienteering activities: wear pants! My legs are scratched up beyond recognition, and my friends' are even worse. My legs sting, but I try to ignore them and keep up with our lead person. We come to a field. The ground is watery. There is a creek. We jump it. Then there is another creek, wider than the first. I look around, not wanting to jump first. Another friend jumps, slips, and is now half-covered in mud. I can't help laughing. I jump and make it across. Voices. Another team rushes into our field. The field looks like a big ocean, and I am reminded of a book that compares the ocean to the sea. I know we aren't even close to finishing, but I want to remain in the field. Someday, I might come back. But meanwhile, my friend is grumbling about mud.
KAYAKING
By Fraser Horton, sixth grade
As my kayak slides through the ice cold water, a little ripple breaks the surface. I look down at the seaweed 5 feet below. I hear the crackle of a deer hopping through the underbrush. I jump out of my kayak and feel the sand between my toes. I dive into the water. As it washes through my hair, a surge of cold gives my brain a shiver. I feel the dock's wooden platform as I roll on. I walk down to the beach and lie down wishing I could sleep.
THE TALENT SHOW
By Amelia O'Connor, fifth grade
The talent show is a place where we act plays. Every year it brings me memories of plays that my friends and I acted out. I hear music and songs and talking. I see people acting, playing and dancing. They wear clothes, some colorful, some black and white, some dazzling, sparkling around. I smell the kitchen nearby. I feel the speakers shaking the floor like an earthquake. Every year when the talent show is over, I feel sad.
THE LEAVES
By Will Harrison, sixth grade
The time has come for the leaves
Their new colors show their age
But it is now that they show their true beauty
They are going to a new brighter world
They are making room for their children
As their parents did for them and for them
We shall miss these leaves of beauty and pride.
MORNING
By Suzy Bertsche, fourth grade
I woke up at 7 and woke up Tempest and went to the lodge and got hot chocolate and sat down. Then we saw Andy and we went out of the lodge and went out onto the dock. We saw the fog coming out of the water, shifting along like people in New York, trying to get somewhere. The water was as still as a graveyard. We heard a bird. We looked, but we did not see it.
THE ZIPLINE
By Beth Cooper-Chrismon, third grade
I was climbing up a ladder.
I climbed up 17 stairs.
I was freaked.
I sat down
ZZZZZZZZiiiip!
I zapped down with a loud BUZZ.
It was fun! Then ...
Pow!
Cold! No ... ICE COLD!
Jessica called, "How was it?"
I said, "Freezing."
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