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At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, a group of 37 people including poetry teacher Nancy Rose, English teacher Jo Shay, substitute David Fischoliwitz and retired English teacher Gary Burt loaded luggage into a bus on their way to Grave Creek.
The teachers and 33 FHS students headed back to nature — all in the name of poetry.
Students didn’t know what to expect of the adventure that was in store for them; they were simply excited to be out of school. After an hour-long bus ride students arrived at Grave Creek.
“I just wanted to get out of school, but I had no idea what to expect,” said junior Sabrina Walsten. “I didn’t know anyone from the other class really, so that made it interesting.”
Grave Creek is a valley surrounded by trees, a lake, mountains and a waterfall, which students were able to hike to the top of.
“I have never been camping at Graves Creek,” said senior Nikki Clark. “I think it was the best spot I’ve ever been to.”
“The bay was truly majestic,” said senior Bill Templeton. “With the mistic clouds floating through the mountain top trees.”
After supplies were unloaded from the bus and students set up the camp, an orientation was given on the dangers around Grave Creek.
“Orientation on the site was provided by Bill and Ryan,” said Rose. “We also set up a buddy system so no one would be hiking alone.”
Then the students divided into smaller groups to decide what they wanted to do. Some groups decided to go to the top of the waterfall while others went fishing and hiking.
“I went fishing and caught a salmon — actually I snagged it by accident,” said senior Frances Bonnet. “Then we hiked up to the waterfall and it started to rain.”
As they neared the top of the mountain on their hike, students began to notice the sky darkening and a silence that usually precedes a rain. Just as they reached the top, a small rain shower began.
“What a task it was to reach that rock bluff,” said senior Brandon Barnett. “Each of us were drenched to the bone as we slid our way down the underbrush and wet logs.”
Students rushed down the mountain when the thunder and lightening began.
“Climbing down was the best part. I owe my life to one nice little sappling that stopped me from falling off a cliff,” said sophomore Jeana Warren. “Since it started to pour rain when we reached the top, by the time we reached camp we were wet enough that we might as well have jumped in the lake.”
When students returned to the campsite they attempted to dry their clothes around the fire.
“I was soaked completely through,” said Walsten. “The rain came down so thick and hard, staying dry was impossible.”
Through the entire night the rain didn’t stop for more than an hour, which brought students closer together.
“A few of us stayed up all night around the campfire,” said Warren. “We made up impromptu poems and eventually fell asleep sitting up.”
In the morning students awoke to more rain. Everything, including extra socks, had been drenched overnight. Students were thankful to see the arrival of the warm and dry bus.
“Seeing as I went to bed drier than when I woke up, when I saw the bus driver I knew I was that much closer to getting dry again,” said senior Amber Harness.
Despite rainy weather, students found the camping trip unforgettable and inspiring for young poets.
“I think the whole trip was worth it,” said junior Jonathan Parkison. “The short break in the rain allowed for the best poetry reading I’ve ever been part of.”
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