Intro

Twin Lakes

Yesterday we went to Twin Lakes to see if our cardboard boats would float. But before that, we all rode in real canoes. It was fun but it kinda hurt your arms. We went down the lake and then raced the other group. We won! However, the person in front of me kept splashing me....a lot.
After the canoe race we put our own creations into the water. We used our math skills, and cooperation skills, to build a boat out of only cardboard and duct tape. Everyone said that ours wouldn't float and it sucked. The apperance actually wasn't too appealing. I think three boats sunk and the rest floated. Ours floated. The bottom of the boat didn't even get wet. Not only did we receive full credit, but our group was the fastest. I was suprised.
During the construction of the project I hated it. At the end I think it was worth it.

West glacier trail hike

Yesterday we went on hike the west glacier trail. Emma and Jauger were in my group. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but then again we didn't go to the end. Emma kept falling behind. I was in front of my group going up but then when we were going down I went slower. I don't know why though. We counted how many steps it was from the top to the bottom and it was 9,940 steps. When we got to the point where we had to turn around we were really close to the glacier. It was the closest I have ever been. I kinda want to go on the hike again all the way to the glacier.

Pictures

Sandy beach walk

Yesterday we went to sandy beach to study the forest, mark way points, and learn about the mines. It was terrible because my group kept getting lost and we didn't really know how to use the GPS. My friend jaugers group headed back when he was getting filmed while jumping (although he said it was more of a hop for him) from a cement block to another. My group only got the the 5th problem then we just went back to eat. We have another math trail today and I hope we do better.

Outer point beach walk

Yesterday morning we all went to outer point to look at sea creatures. We ate breakfast on the bus then took an hour bus ride to get out there. We took about a 10 minute walk to the beach. My friend Jauger threw up that morning after eating six egg mcmuffins and three sausage mcmuffins. Emma, Samantha, and I walked for about half an hours poking sea anemones. We also picked up rocks and looked at stuff. I found a bloodworm. I picked it up and it started to suck my hand and Emma was freaking out. We also found sea stars, horse clams, gumboots, limpets, barnacles, mussels, hermit crabs, baby king crabs, sea cucumbers, and sea squirts. Then we basically had lunch and everyone was really tired. Aaron found this plant that tastes like spinach and another plant that tastes like lettuce. We went to lunch after. Then when we went back on the bus I just about fell asleep.

Dissecting the seal

Yesterday we went to Auke rec. It was really windy and cold. We had to eat lunch there. I had to have a tofu burger. It was OK I guess. For some reason it was kinda spicy. Samantha, Emma, and I also listened to some stories and lectures from David. It was interesting. Then, we went on a walk and we found a dead eagle. Then, we had to go dissect the seal. Lyle got three seals that morning, and he kept one for himself. I didn't really want to at first but then I kinda got interested.I learned that I can't say "ew" and "gross" and stuff like that because it is disrespectful. We have to respect the seal for giving it's life to us for food.My friend Emma does not like blood and stuff like that so she almost threw up and it was kinda funny. I didn't really cut anything though. But I liked to see the intestines because it was really long and full of air. Then people cut it and it deflated. There was a lot of eagles and crows around us. I tried to count some and I counted nineteen eagles. But then more came out of the trees and I totally lost count. It was also pretty neat that the eagles let us get so close to them. (to take pictures)I ended up liking dissecting more than I thought I would.

Mt. Roberts

This is the begining of the trail.

Mt. Roberts trail hike

You know that quote,"Time flys when you are having fun"? Well I hate that quote so much because it is true. I didn't have that much fun on the hike and it felt like forever. We went up the Mt. Roberts trail. It was raining. We had to go up two big hills before the hike and people were already tired. Samantha and Emma were in my group. We decided to stay in the back of the group so we didn't go too slow and people didn't have to be behind us. I eventually lost my group. Samantha was in front of me and Emma was way back. I was hiking alone for the longest time. Everyone was in front of me. Once I stopped at an opening in front of trees and it was a really pretty picture. There was a cruise ship leaving. Too bad I didn't have my camera. :( But you know what the worst part was, when you are hiking and you look what is in front of you and there is a cliff which you have to hike. Well I keep going and got all muddy. Also, my poncho didn't do its job. Stupid poncho. Note to self: don't get ponchos. NEVER GET PONCHOS! I got all soaked. I also took a couple short cuts. strong> Someone mentioned that when people took shortcuts they could have took a couple steps to go around the shortcut but they rather save 10 seconds of their hike. Then, as I was getting up I saw the tram! It was like I died and came back to life! I went inside and I was actually one of the first people up there. I wasn't in back of the group at all. I was way in front. My friend Samantha was in front of me but she went back to find Emma. I was really sore, warm, and muddy. I just went inside and sat down. Then, I waited for like 45 minutes for Emma. She took forever. I went to go eat fish and chips and hot chocolate. I was alone for a long time. Then Samantha and Emma finally got back. Emma was in the back. Then we got to get ipods. yay! I got a purple ipod. Then after dinner we went back down and we got to take the tram. It was so squished. It was funny when people confessed that they were afraid of heights. Well, I just noticed I am not really talking about the hike now so bye!

Brotherhood bridge trail

Yesterday we hiked brotherhood bridge trail....it was alright i guess. The trail is by a soccer field and I saw my team practicing. It wasnt a bad "hike".

First we caught some little buggy things with a net. Logan, Nikki, and I were in a group. So first Nikki threw the net in the water and she kinda lost it. It started to go down the river. It sucked because I had to go get it because I was the only one with boots. My boots were pointless because water got up to my knees and past my boots. I also droped the camera but its ok because no one saw me and no damage was done.

Then we went to look for plants....again. I found some plants and put them in my pocket. I forgot about them later and they all dried up and turned brown. Oh, also I lost my little yellow science notebook on the second day. It ended up that Emma had it. I have a lot to write in it now...

On the boat

We went to Taku waters on June 9, 2010. There was 116 people total including elders, students, teachers, and counselors. We heard many stories and backgrounds from our elders. During the boat trip we saw a huge rock/boulder. I think it was called "scar rock" by the fisherman. We got tons of pictures and it was pretty cool. Someone told me the rock reminded them of Paradise falls in the movie "UP".

We also saw some orca whales. I'm not 100% sure but I think there was 4 whales. It is the second time we have seen orca whales during this camp. We saw some orcas breaching the other day. This was my favorite part of the trip. Some teachers went on the microphone and sang a tlingit song.

There was much more that we did on this trip but that sums up the main points.

What is the path to excellence?

A path to excellence is a 12 day summer camp for high school students to learn more about math, science, and their native culture. I am a student here at the camp taking this course.