Education...What to Toss Aside and What to Cherish

 

I can't wait to tell you the story of this picture! But first things first. Our week started off with more biking, hiking and exploring. We have ridden this trail almost daily since we have arrived. It goes from our campground to the White Water Center that commemorates the 1996 Olympics. The kayaking events were held on the Ocoee River that year.

 The bike trail follows the river, and we absolutely love the view of our playground!

 There are calm peaceful stops.

 

And there are action parts, full of untamed power.

 

On Friday the boys wanted to return to Smiley's (their favorite swimming spot). The water is freezing by the way and the temperature is warm--not sweltering!

 Looking at this, makes me shiver!

 While the boys explored around in the water...

 Johnny and I did what all great parents do. We found a nice warm rock, relaxed and chatted!

One of the things I have had a hard time doing is getting back into a school routine. As a matter of fact, I am giving lots of thought about what our "education" is going to look like from now until however long this journey lasts. One part panics. The other wants to fully embrace life and the experiences we are having and go full force at focusing on relationships and skill based learning. I am sure I will settle for a middle ground, but I am not there yet. As a matter of fact, I was really encouraged this weekend. John Gannon (12) has been interested in White Water Rescue and the Coast Guard for about a year. Guess what? The crew that does the training for the state of TN (Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads) was conducting the Swiftwater Rescue I course at our campground. You have to be 18 to go through the course, but I asked if he could participate just to learn and not "technically be a part for liability purposes). They more than welcomed him and explained that they could not tell him to get in, but they could not prevent it. So, he excitedly suited up at 7:30 am on Saturday morning! His dad offered a hand at making sure his pfd was secure before he left for raft guide training.

There he was...in a group of 30+ men with his mom snapping pictures. I think he was so excited he didn't care!

John Gannon was able to complete every task of the training. He was able to catch an eddy directly across the river right at the dam! I can't tell you how strong that water was and he did it. Only he and one other guy in the training was able to make that one! There were 3 different places that were targets and you just had to make it to one! It was incredible, and he was excited! Other times, they swam from one side of the river to the other 7 times back to back. I start panting at the thought of doing it once!

 I bet you can't guess who joined in on day 2?

 Heart be still. John can be kind to his brother (mental note to keep this in the brain!)

Jackson only lasted during the eddy practice for the morning. He was able to ferry across to the 6 stations, but his little lip was shivering from the cold. It had rained some the night before and the morning air was brisk! The biggest challenge of the day was learning how to appropriately handle strainers in the water (anything obstructing the flow). Primarily downed trees, rocks, etc. They are super dangerous and you should always avoid them if possible. However, when it isn't possible you should make every effort to go over them. IF YOU GO UP TO IT, IT WILL SUCK YOU UNDER EVERY SINGLE TIME! John got to experience that power during his first attempt. He stopped swimming a bit when he hit the obstruction and it pulled him under. But his second attempt...

I even caught him adding a little flare with his leg once!

Success...I lost count of the ratio. But at one point when I checked in he had a 4 in a row streak going. He did this over and over and over and over. One of the instructors commented she couldn't believe he was still able to do this after so many attempts. Oh and many of them commented that John kept them rolling with his onslaught of humor!

You see, this weekend my son demonstrated endurance, passion, dedication, work ethic, and perseverance to learn. These are all traits I secretly worry about. Because you see, these traits do not always surface when we are learning rules of functions in math. To be honest, I hate it too! So there...the dilemma. What to teach, what to focus on, what is important?

I hope this season of our lives we write a different story. I hope our education equips up with things that a book can't teach. I hope it provides us with skills that will impact the rest of our life and not just  be forgotten after you get through a course! Isn't that really what the heart of education is? I have to admit that I often lose sight of that!

Today, we played math games, spent time reading, met several new families at the campground, I did some work within the online class I am teaching, we did some maintenance tasks at the campground, we learned 2 new "smart" words, we gave oral presentations to each other in the car about what we read on the way to the park....which is where I sit right now.

The view is incredible and the sounds...my boys are playing online with one of their friends in MS and my best friend! I can hear her screaming orders to the kids online all the way across the park...Didn't I tell you she was fierce? All these things I will cherish. 

Live a Meaningful Life!

**OH, and if these boys don't stop eating so much we may have to hunt for more jobs.  Their activity level has increased dramatically and their appetites (which were already large) have increased as well. I may have to set some limits on all this outdoor play (just kidding...) But I am not kidding about the groceries!!!