6th Grade Camp and The Underground Railroad

Several years ago, we brought back sixth grade camp in our district.  For the past six years, we have been taking students for one overnight at a camp in northeastern Ohio called Camp Muskingum.  It is Ohio's FFA camp, and they put on a program called Nature's Classroom that is a wonderful experience for the students.  The staff does a phenomenal job and the students always talk about it for years.  (I mean, I still remember going to camp in elementary school).  Students participate in outdoor education activities, hikes and campfire.

 This year, we decided to take the students for two nights so that they could participate in a program called The Underground Railroad.  We were all a little hesitant about  going for an extra night (I think the teachers more than the kids because most of us have young kids at home), but we thought that we would try it out this year for the students.  It was a unanimous decision that we will be taking the kids for 2 nights from now on!  The Underground Railroad simulation was one of the greatest experiences I have ever had (as a teacher and a student).  The program was a simulation for students of what the underground railroad was really like in the 1860's.  A few other teachers and I decided to shadow a group, and could not believe how amazing this simulation was.  I was a little "scared" a few times, and the students were following every direction to a tee!  Everyone said that was their favorite part of the trip. 

The Underground Railroad at FFA Camp Muskingum takes an afternoon, and I strongly recommend it for any schools that are close enough to do it as a field trip (they will allow schools to come just for this), and or the entire camp for any schools in Ohio.  As always, it was a great experience!!!