Stafford Lake Field Trip
On Wednesday, March 23, the STEM classes went to Stafford Lake to improve the environment. We started the day by getting into a group circle and talking about solutions to permanently get rid of weeds without destroying the environment along with it. We started by spreading out hay in an even layer from the stream to the cones (which showed where we were to stop spreading). When we covered all of the area, we rolled cardboard, six feet wide, over all of the hay we had laid out. In some areas, we put two layers. After rolling the cardboard, it got cut with a knife and was adjusted to the size and shape of the area. We laid more hay on top of the cardboard, which was sort of challenge since we were not allowed to step on it unless it has a good amount of hay. Once the whole area looked packed and layered, we filled up and poured at least a hundred buckets of mulch on top. Some people kept carrying four at the same time, which was too fast to keep up with (I was filling buckets). My friend and I came up with a system to successfully keep up with the amount of buckets being emptied. Originally, we would get an empty bucket, fill it up from the hill of mulch, bring it back to the ground, and grab another empty one. The system we created was that he got an empty bucket, filled it up, and I would bring him a new bucket and take the full one so he didn't have to go back and forth every time. We were both dripping sweat after that. We took a few water breaks at the back of the ranger truck where I drank the water, splashed it on my face, and poured it on my head. We went back with dirty clothes, sore legs, and just plain exhaustion. I didn't really like the "field trip", because we didn't learn anything like when we went to the Lawrence Hall of Science. I did feel a little bit good for helping out but I did not gain anything other than a little bit of pride and contentment.