Sample Student Journals:
“Trekking through the wilderness, always with my eyes low, we come to a grouping of small trees. The small yet sturdy trees had scrapings on the side. Deer country, this tells me. A buck has been here to clean off its antlers. An old scrape, but still, it shows that this area is full of life, and a deer could be just up the ridge.”
Tommy Vienneau, '17
“The rocks form castles and caves for every living creature that makes its humble abode in the Fells. Crevices and creeks reveal the deepest details of the woods. From the damp moss to the salamanders slithering up and down the rotting tree trunk struck down by the harsh winds. The earth gives way for my foot as the wet leaves collapse and leave an imprint, a temporary reminder that persons young and old alike look to the woods for peace and serenity.”
Rhiannon Arnold, '17
“As the mucky stream flows slowly under the trail, gnats skim across the yellowish water. As it comes out the other side, it looks almost motionless, but continues to flow out into the unknown wilderness. As you stare deeper through the cobweb of branches, a large tree arches over the stream magnificently, and the stream continues to disappear behind the jagged rocks.”
Brendan Ciarlone, '17
“A single golden leaf makes its way along the trail as the wind howls and sends it on its way. As the birds sign their vivacious melody, the leaf spirals wildly, catching up to the wind. On its journey it encounters a fallen tree leaning on a perfectly standing tree. The tree creates an opening to an area resembling a meadow out of the most beautiful and descriptive scene from a top-selling novel. Its appearance: stunning. The feeling it transmits: euphoria. Along the ground are crunched up leaves and broken branches. Tangled on a few branches is a cocoon where dozens of caterpillars lie, aiming to survive under the harsh conditions inflicted on them by men. The leaf travels deeper in to the woods, finding a tall, majestic tree. Its bark is chipped, aging naturally as would any other. Around it is a group of flies, flying back and forth, occasionally grazing on the leaf. On the ground are small squirrels scurrying rapidly, brushing past piles of leaves and branches. The leaf finds its way to its destination: the pond. The leaf sways slower and slower until it comes to a rest just on the surface of the water. Finally, it stops moving. The golden leaf has found peace.”
Leena Ziane, '17
“Nothing is moving besides the surrounding bushes swaying in the breeze. The colors are dark and gloomy, but the environment is bright and welcoming. The birds sing a sweet song as if to say ‘come join us as we explore the land.’ The path fades into a sea of green grass. As I walk, rocks shuffle under my feet and the leaves crunch. As I sit with the breeze blowing in my face, I realize this is the real world.”
Nicole Trainor, '17
“The outdoors are filled with silence. Every step leads to complete silence. You walk in peace by yourself. When you look around, you feel lost, but then you remember you are not alone. The wind blows and the sun shines. The birds talk and the small lime-green inchworms crawl on your clothes. You hear echoes, and you are reminded you are not lost.”
Brianna Cafferky, '17
“The path carried on, weaving through the forest. Logs and branches strewn everywhere, as if a pack of rowdy high schoolers stumbled through. The occasional rusty old car part would appear, revealing the history of the woods. A snake would glide by, rustling through the leaves, unknowingly being watched, minding its own business.”
Scott Andrew, '17
“Groups of trees – dead and alive – surround me as I travel down this path coated with brown leaves that once resided on the branches of these mighty trees that reach for the vast open blue sky. My eyes wandered as I walked, capturing an image of the forest, creating a gallery of portraits as I continue down the path. Trees arch over as to embrace me. The vernal pool stands still, frozen in time. The beauty of this forest is unmatched. Its uniqueness creates a serene environment for the traveler to sit and embed the forest into their mind, forever in memory.”
Nicholas Medeiros, '17
Creative & Critical Thinkers
