June 22 - 28 : 2008 Summer Iditarod Camp: 2008

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Traveling Quilt Update from Terrie!

Hello Folks,
Our quilt has begun its travels. It was constructed by me under the careful supervision of my cats - they were SOOOOO much help! The quilt will travel to schools from which I received a square and there will be an online scrapbook to keep track of what Quilt has been doing. Thanks to those who provided a square - it really turned out quite nice. I've attached an agenda of Quilt's travel. It needs to make 12 stops during this school year - yipes! With travel, Quilt can only stay about 2 weeks at each stop. Have a great school year and if you're interested in previewing the checkpoints along the trail with me as I do a virtual bike journey this fall, check out Sanka's stories on the Zuma site. Take good care,
Terrie

Quilt's schedule: (Please note: Not all participants were at our summer camp. Some teachers sent a quilt square to be added to our project.)

Name & Email	Mailing Deadline
Joanie Branigan & Kay Logghe	September 26th

Linda Fenton	October 17th

Diane Pollock	November 7th

Betsy Anderson	November 28th

Janet Hoke	December 19th

Cindy Kettlewell	January 23rd

Herb Brambley	February 13th

Ellen Ogintz	March 6th

Paula Medlin	March 27th

Jill Caldwell	April 17th

Kathleen Edwards	May 8th

Joy Thompson	May 29th

Diane Johnson

Monday, September 22, 2008

Hello Friends! Let's chat!

HELLO Friends!

I hope this email finds you having a GREAT week! I know it is a very busy time of year! It is officially autumn. Iditarod 2009 is before us on the trail! Have you started using the theme yet?

I'll be sending out an educator's newsletter hopefully sometime tomorrow, so if you haven't signed up, do so at: http://www.iditarod.com/teachers/insight.html

I hope you've had a chance to take a look at Cathy's lessons and journal at her section of the website: http://www.iditarod.com/teachers/tott.html

Please take time to provide an update on the blog so we can all keep up with each other. http://2008summerbootcamp.blogspot.com/ It will be great to hear and see what you've been up to, how things are going, what you are doing with students, and any other plans you'd like to share. Can't wait to read your postings!

For those of you who took summer camp for university credit, please remember to contact UAA for your transcript if/when you need it. http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/records/transcripts.cfm

For those of you who have a 'rookie' musher, hopefully you've made or attempted to make your first contacts. We are all looking forward to 'meeting your musher' through you and your students. Post your interview information on the blog or send the information to me. Your reports will be featured on the Iditarod website and/or our race publications, so send them when you've got them ready! What fun to get to know these rookies!!!

For those of you who indicated interest in our Storm Ready blog, I'll be in touch soon!

As a reminder, mark October 14 on your calendar! Watch a sneak preview of Discovery Channel's Toughest Race on Earth.... by clicking on http://www.iditarod.com/ and then clicking on the Free Insider video link that promotes the production. This will be an incredible series! Let's all sit down on the 14th and 'be together' as this adventure begins!

Another important tool for you to use this year is the collaboration zone on our Discussion Forum. When you go to www.iditarod.com, click on the menu tab Discussion Forum. You can then read the various discussions from last year and begin chatting together and with others about how you use the race with students. You will need to register a user name and a password --- but that is easy to do! Register and start to share ideas as we get ready for the next race! http://www.iditarodforums.com/ (Discussion Form url)

I could tell you a dozen 'other things' because there are so many things going on and up and coming! This will be an incredible race and teaching season. I am thrilled to have you on the trail with us as an important member of the leadership team!

See you on the TRAIL!

Jot a note telling us what you've been up to so we can all continue this journey!

Diane

Friday, August 1, 2008

Betsy's Adventures

Hi Everyone! My week at "Iditarod Teacher Camp" was one of the highlights of my teaching career. I hope it was just as awesome for all of you! The "Annual Volunteer Picnic and Musher Sign-up" was a high point because I met a man who took me around to all of the Redington family members to introduce me and give me time to get to know them a little. I also was able to connect with the rookie musher that my class will adopt next year named Tim Reilly. He lives and competes in Michigan so my students will certainly get to meet him and possibly attend one of his races. I had to leave the picnic early so I missed some of the special things that happened to all of you. I would love to hear some of your stories from the picnic here on this blog.

My adventures continued after the camp with a trip to Seward. I kayaked, took a boat tour, hiked to a glacier, visited the Sea Life Center, and even walked to the "Historic Start of the Iditarod Trail." On the boat tour, I got up close to lots of wildlife including puffins, humpback whale, sea otters and sea lions. I met some neat people along the way including a girl who worked at the cannery and told me all about that industry, a woman who homesteaded in Alaska years ago and has sung on stage with Hobo Jim, and retired teachers who have fantastic summer jobs in Alaska.

After Seward, I headed north by bus and train to Fairbanks. (Yes--this was a wierd route.) I spent an afternoon in Anchorage, a night in Talkeetna, and enjoyed the wonderful views while riding the Alaska Railroad. It gave me time to write a complete journal of the trip and reflect on all that I learned and want to incorporate into my classroom next year. In Fairbanks, I visited the "Raw Fur Company" and got sample animal furs for my class to study, took a riverboat tour that stopped at David Monson's Kennel (Suan Butcher's husband,) saw and talked with Jessie Royer and heard her presentation about dog sledding and saw her dog team. The riverboat tour also included a visit to a replica Native Alaskan fish camp with extensive demonstrations by some talented Native Alaskans. Their beadwork was inclredible and is displayed in the Smithsonian Museum. Last, I visited a working gold mine and panned for gold. While it felt a little like "Alaska Disney," I did think of ways to incorporate panning for gold into science (seperating mixtures) and I even got a little bit ($10 worth) of real gold!

All in all, it was the teaching trip of a lifetime. I missed having my family there, but I definitely am going to come back with them sometime soon.

I really enjoyed meeting all of you and want to hear how this trip affected you both personally and as a teacher. I can't help but wonder who I might see mushing in the race some day or who might be the "Teacher on the Trail" in the future. I look forward to checking your websites (especially Jeanne in Minnesota and Ellen in New Jersey) to see what new Iditarod resources you have online. I hope all of you will check my blog and leave me comments. (Remember--it is meant to be at a Third Grade level.) The address is http://andersonwealthy.blogspot.com/

I appreciate all the pictures some of you have sent me and the CD I just got from Jill! Have a wonderful rest of the summer and keep in touch!

Betsy

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Hobo Jim and me!

Hi all,

I could write about so many things and so many wonderful experiences...thanks to all of you. I'd like to share what happened on my last evening alone in Anchorage because this experience taught me, without a shadow of a doubt, "go with your gut"..."expect the unexpected"..."be open to adventure"..."don't limit your expectations, which will limit their possibilities"....you get the point.

A tour guide I met on Monday after camp raved and raved about Hobo Jim. Now I know him from "The Iditarod Song", which is cute, but he did not seem to be the kind of musician this "Deadhead" would go for. This woman was relentless, so I said I'd see him Wednesday night at Wild Berry's.

Wednesday night came and I did not want to go. Now there was a cute little van to take me, it was only $15.00, and I had time, but I was going into whine mood (guess I knew I was heading home) and started fantasizing going back to the hotel to rest, pack, etc. BUT...I did promise the lady I'd go, and I DID think kids would think it was cool if I heard him sing the Iditarod song since I'd teach it to them anyway, so I called for the pick-up van.

Now, the van is late , so I call again. The van has now broken down and I fantasize going back to the hotel and giving up. But I think of the lady and think of the kids and wait for the van (which flew past me and only stopped because I gave a New York "Taxi" type scream).

I get to the theater JUST in time...I thought. Hobo Jim is with some people saying goodbye to them and saying that he'd see them Saturday. I'm waiting to buy my ticket when the guy says there WILL NOT be a show since I was the only one there! I was not happy now.

Hobo Jim hears this whole interaction and takes over. He tells me not to worry...pours me a glass of wine....takes me over to a little snack area with his friend Christime...and proceeds to SING TO ME!!! He sang three songs JUST to me! He loved that I wanted to tape his singing of Iditarod Trail! He then walked me over to the area where you buy his cds and started GIVING all of them to me!! YES!!! (I only took one....I'm not greedy). Then he and Christine decided I should have a dog. I was a bit confused, but went along with them to his truck. He GAVE me a great stuffed dog that plays....you know it....the Iditarod Trail song when you push a button! I was really dazed by now and overcome and pretty speechless.

We hugged goodbye, etc., and I went to meet the van to go back to my hotel...but NOT! Jim and Christine pulled up in the red truck and off we went for dinner, drinks and lots of fun and conversation!! Yes...I got into a stranger's truck to go for drinks!!! WOW!!!!

THAT was an adventure!

I hope I can attach the pictures and the little film I took so you can be my living proof that this really happened.

BE OPEN TO POSSIBILITIES!!!!!!!!

Wow....

Ellen

Friday, July 11, 2008

Your Quilt Squares!

Don't forget to create and send a quilt square to Terrie by August 1 so that the NEXT GREAT QUILT can be sewn together so it is ready to journey to classrooms around the world during the 2008 - 2009 school year. In order for the new quilt to visit your school, you must contribute a quilt square. If you aren't interested in having the quilt visit your school, but you wish to contribute a square anyway, please do. Email Terrie your 'square' intentions so she knows you'll be sending her your contribution. Let's make this quilt the most awesome quilt ever!

This year, we'll have 3 quilts traveling to schools! What an incredible way to share Iditarod and Alaska with learners of all ages. You will be able to read about the 3 quilts on the website this year. Watch for information at the For Teachers section of the website! http://www.iditarod.com/teachers/

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Hi Boot Camp Friends!

I hope your travels home (back to the real world) were safe and that you're rested up after our week with each other! It took me a few days to adjust, but am getting back in the swing of things.

Saturday after the picnic, Diane P., Herb and I had one last "Alaska" meal together at Phyllis' Seafood in Anchorage before heading our separate ways. My husband and son arrived Sat. evening and my family adventure began. We spent a couple of days at Denali Nat'l Park, hiking, river rafting and midnight golfing! Who knew there was a golf course in Healy, AK? For the sports-nut family that we are, the chance to tee off at almost 11 p.m. and play surrounded by mountains into the wee hours was a thrill! The sky was clear our first day there, so we had great views of the mountain, too! Then it was back to Wasilla to a new b & b. We took the train from Anch. to Seward and a went on a Kenai cruise. It was a crystal-clear, warm day and we saw orcas, humpbacks, stellar sea lions, sea otters, eagles, puffins, etc. It was glorious!

Our last goal was to ATV (a new experience for all of us and one that my teenage son was anticipating.) Sara Heintzmann (sp?) of the K-9 Fairies had given me one of her husband's cards , so we hooked up with Heiny's ATV Adventures for an afternoon trip to Wishbone Lake. Marty (Sara's husband) was a fun and patient leader as I went slowly, got stuck and even fell off my ATV - no injuries, just embarrassment!! We saw a black bear and lots of beautiful views (and quite a few mud puddles.) At the end, Marty took Jack, my son, for a speedy ride without his parents to slow him down.

Next week, a group of teachers from our school, including Jeanne and me, are working on our Iditarod project. Sheryl Cater will be there, as well as past campers Mark B. & John C. Jeanne and I will share our learning and experiences with them and will let you know how to access our work.

I'm planning to burn cd's of my photos once I've edited them to a manageable number, so watch for them in your mailbox.

Diane - Here's the scoop on the photo of me on the ground - I had harnessed Attla and was unhooking her from her chain to hook her to the gangline. Her chain got wrapped around my ankles and down I went. Unhurt, but embarrassed once again! Here's a photo of Attla successfully hooked up!!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Summer Camp 2008

Thanks for being a part of our 2008 Idita-Camp!

Stay in touch!

How many versions of this picture do we have? Let's see a few of them!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

A Favorite Picture from Summer Camp!

I have a LOT of favorite pictures, but this is one of them. Ann, I am not sure what happened here or why you are on the ground, but I think the picture symbolizes how each camper did what it took--- to make this a fantastic experience!

Hey everyone! Do you have a favorite picture to share? Post it and tell us why!

Target 2009 Teacher on the Trail Cathy.... Swings from the High Rope!

Cathy did an awesome job on the swing! I am just glad none of our group knew how to run my video camera.... No video of me! Yea! (Ok, Chas St. George from Iditarod did take video of these events. Watch for the video on Iditarod Insider at some point! We are looking forward to our projects with the Alaska National Guard and the Stay on Track program!

If the video doesn't play for you, check back later.... some of our articles are under construction

Sara Swings Like Spiderman!

Sara wins the prize for best format on the swing! Congratulations Sara!

Shannon Swings!

Swinging was a blast! Way to go, Shannon!

Sara on the High Ropes Course!

Way to go Sara!

I fully admit I wasn't as brave as Sara was--- but with Cathy's patience and support on the beam, Cathy and I accomplished this after Sara and National Guard Leader Scott completed this crossing. --- It was an incredible experience.... Awesome!

June 30 Adventures with the Alaska National Guard

On Monday, June 30, Cathy, Sara, Shannon, and Diane visited Fort Richardson Army Base. The Alaska National Guard has an incredible STAY ON TRACK program to help youth stay off drugs and alcohol. During the next 'race season' you will learn more about the project which will help kids around the world learn to make the kind of choices that lead them down the trail to healthy lives. Watch the website for additional information. Together, the Alaska National Guard and Iditarod's Educational Department will work on several projects!