On Friday, November 7, sixth graders returned from their class trip to Frost Valley, a 6,500 acre, year-round YMCA in the Catskill Mountain region of New York State, where they explored environmental issues, and cultural, historical and science-related activities. For more information on Frost Valley, visit www.frostvalley.org

During their trip, the students participated in programs focusing on topics such as wildlife, forest and freshwater ecology, and watersheds/wilderness. They have also been engaged in team-building exercises like the Helium Hoop, among other adventure programs. They made apple cider, learned about composting and organic gardening. They visited the Resource Management Center, Nature Center, where they petted the ball python, and the greenhouse, where they learned about organic planting.

Nisha Tamhankar, Middle School science teacher, said, "The trip provided an engaging and hands-on learning experience for our students. They took away many valuable lessons from their stay. Students said that the program helped them to become better team players. They also learned that they can rely on the environment and their surroundings to guide them even in the absence of technology and electronics."