Every year at Montessori Center School, the 4th year students camp for two nights and the 5th / 6th years camp for 3 nights in the wilderness. All of the students hiked one mile to Manzana Creek Potrero Campground in the San Rafael Wilderness for the first night. The older students broke camp and hiked three more miles the next day downriver to Horsheshoe Bend, returning to Potrero the next day.
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The students did day hikes which included plant identification and water activities. Together, they prepared all of their own meals and did set up camp (in addition to carrying all of their own equipment in their backpacks), among other campsite activities.
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Before taking the trip, Montessori Center School students studied plants and animals of the area and looked at topography maps of where they would be camping. They also planned menus and walked with their backpacks to the store to purchase their meal ingredients. The group also always practices Tread Lightly (leave no trace) camping. Next year, Montessori Center School students are planning to go upstream to Lost Valley and Fish Camp.
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.JPG "Montessori Center School Goes Backpacking")
