January 17, 2015: written by Simone Johnson
I briskly walk down 113th street while the cold explains to me in stern, mater-of-fact terms that I should have dressed better for the weather. I almost reach PS 241 when I see in the distance a student and her brother. In a few minutes we exchange hellos and smiles. I take her permission slip.
It doesn't take long for more kids and parents to show up and then another volunteer, Tom, arrives. We all stand in a circle and talk about our extra shirts, socks and longjohns. While we wait for more kids and volunteers, and Lizzie, our Outdoor Leader, to drive up with the van, Tom races down the block with the kids to warm up.
As we catch our breath, Rob, another regular PS 241 volunteer shows up. He passes out extra scarves and gloves for anyone who needs them. As he is passing them out to new and old faces, Lizzie parks the van and joins the group. Two more volunteers, Ivo and Maya, CampInteractive, alumni, also join us. Before the cold has the chance to lecture again, we are all on the road to Bear Mountain!
Fast forward to about an hour and twenty minutes later, we realize the next ice skating session doesn’t start until noon! There’s a big hike up the mountain or a zoo to visit…
What do we do in this situation with excited minds set on lacing up ice skates?! Take a hike of course!
Tom leads the group past big and small mountains of snow, down a hill, past a playground and a frozen lake and onto a trail that welcomes our company. The kids love to run off the path, chase each other and play with sticks like swords. Everyone is cold but the hike is a great way to get warm… a great way to start the day before the skating rink.
We triumphantly rise to the top of the mountain with the amazing views, though our victory dance is short lived. Our skating session is fast approaching! We have to make our way back pronto.
On the ice, all the volunteers help those who cannot ice skate. I'm impressed with many of the kids taking initiative and helping and encouraging their peers who are having a difficult time. For one student, this is her first time on skates, another it is her second. The few kids who needed help in the beginning, are skating by themselves with confidence at the end of the session.
When we leave the rink, we eat lunch and then explore a nearby zoo. We see two red foxes and a porcupine. A snapping turtle, two bullfrogs, a tree frog and a toad. A northern water snake, rattlesnake, copperhead and a black rat snake. A woodland salamander that is orange with light green spots and two pale orange lizards. At the end we observe two brown bears and wonder about their relation.
All-in-all, a successful day…staying warm in the cool crisp outdoors, enjoying nature, learning to skate. We all had a great time!