Sixth graders continue tradition

SUPERIOR - Nestled next to I-90 and fronted by a small pond lies the Savanac Tree Nursery, which has been a popular learning destination for Superior Elementary students since 1968. Students enter without their parents, camping with classmates and leaving with new outdoor experiences and adventures.

Although visible, the tree nursery provides enough seclusion to intensify the experience. 

Sixth graders from Seth Kuhl’s class participated in outdoor school at the tree nursery the week of May 12-16.

Each year, Superior sends sixth grade students away for a week and guest lecturers stop by. This time some presenters included the Forest Service and Blackfoot Indian tribe. 

Students learn hands-on outdoor activities like bow shooting and touring old mines

“Typically it’s math and science instruction in nature,” said Superior School Superintendent Scott Kinney. “There is a tremendous amount of programming to get kids to interact.”

Speakers and instructors come from the district and all over the state which changes every year, said Kinney.  

“This year we went to the Idaho mine which was a great opportunity to learn about how mining works and how it affected Mineral County,” Kinney said. “It’s just a good opportunity to blend lots of classroom rigor with the outdoors.” 

Each day, students must follow a strict schedule in order to earn a grade in exchange for a completed workbook. The mornings included rising at 8 a.m. and retiring by 10 p.m.

Although it is a camping atmosphere, the property is surrounded with white buildings, and students are split up and bunk in multiple groups. There is electricity, and running water.

On the second to last day, Deb Tirmenstein greeted students and her black Labrador retrievers from the Cadaver Dog Company. 

“I have been bringing dogs up to Savanac to do search and rescue and detector dog demonstrations for at least 12 years,” said Tirmenstein. 

Although the animals looked like typical hunting dogs, Tirmenstein said that lots of different breeds are used for search and rescue and that using labs is very common.

Students gathered around and took turns hiding items like toys and the dog would find them.  Tirmenstein would then walk the dog around the property and the animal would eventually find what it was looking for, just by scent. 

Afterwards, kids were eager to pet the dog and ask questions of Tirmenstein. 

High school students were also on hand during the week to help with watching over the children. 

On the last day, students had to prepare to return back to Superior and resume their normal lives, but not before cleaning up camp and loading the bus. 

Upon returning to the elementary school, the bus had to be unloaded before they were released back into custody with their parents. 

“The weather was good and everything went as planned,” said Dawn Bauer, Superior Elementary secretary who also served as cook for the week. “I went when I was a sixth grader and most people in the community went when they were kids too.”