8th Grade Caritas Creek Experience
Caritas Creek is a 5-day residential environmental science education program that has served San Francisco Bay Area students annually for over 28 years. Caritas Creek is a community of caring individuals dedicated to providing a playful, fun-filled, challenging environmental education experience in a safe, rustic setting in the beautiful redwoods of Occidental, California.
Visit the Caritas Creek website.
Caritas Creek empowers students to discover their own wonder and develop a personal connection with nature through adventure-based outdoor education and interactions in a culturally diverse community.
Overview
The Caritas Creek Environmental Education program has evolved over the course of 30 years and now integrates themes and lessons from diverse sources of knowledge and wisdom. The following are just a few of the resources considered during the development and growth of this unique program:
- Catholicism and other spiritual & religious traditions
- Environmental science
- Social justice and development
- Native american traditions
- Psychology
- Deep ecology
Caritas Journals
Below is a sampling from the journals of eighth graders who went to Caritas. The journals document this exciting, life-changing experience.
Caritas Creek Journal
The cold night hit me just when I had just gotten out of the cafeteria after eating dinner. I walked with my friends slowly in the dark towards the small light that soon appeared to be a campfire. My ribs hurt and my cheeks felt like they were going to rip off my face if I laughed any harder with my friends on the way there and I was in a great mood to start this new activity. The head counselor was there waiting for all of us, and then we sat down to listen to what he was going to do. Then he started shouting this funny song and he wanted us to repeat. My friend and I started to look at each other for some kind of sign that would tell us that it was all right to sing this corny song, but it was too late. We found ourselves singing it and making these crazy movements, cracking jokes every second we could and enjoying every minute of it.
The night had suddenly became fun and everyone was acting like themselves and not trying to be some too cool kid that didn't like campfires, or singing and laughing with their friends. When I was at that campfire it felt as if nobody cared or judged me for what I did. I felt like I could have a blast joking and screaming with my friends and not worry about a teacher getting mad at us and telling us to be quiet. I think that the campfires were the best part for me at Caritas Creek. I felt like I was freed from all the pressures that I face everyday. I got to know my friends a lot better and they got to know me better too.
The cold night hit me just when I had just gotten out of the cafeteria after eating dinner. I walked with my friends slowly in the dark towards the small light that soon appeared to be a campfire. My ribs hurt and my cheeks felt like they were going to rip off my face if I laughed any harder with my friends on the way there and I was in a great mood to start this new activity. The head counselor was there waiting for all of us, and then we sat down to listen to what he was going to do. Then he started shouting this funny song and he wanted us to repeat. My friend and I started to look at each other for some kind of sign that would tell us that it was all right to sing this corny song, but it was too late. We found ourselves singing it and making these crazy movements, cracking jokes every second we could and enjoying every minute of it.
The night had suddenly became fun and everyone was acting like themselves and not trying to be some too cool kid that didn't like campfires, or singing and laughing with their friends. When I was at that campfire it felt as if nobody cared or judged me for what I did. I felt like I could have a blast joking and screaming with my friends and not worry about a teacher getting mad at us and telling us to be quiet. I think that the campfires were the best part for me at Caritas Creek. I felt like I was freed from all the pressures that I face everyday. I got to know my friends a lot better and they got to know me better too.
Caritas
As the St. Matthew's 8th grade stepped onto the big yellow CYO bus headed for Caritas they had no recognition of what was to be expected or what lay ahead of them. There was a sure sense of uncertainty, some hidden, and some visible from the surface. We couldn't comprehend a different environment and were expecting something that would force us to be friends and get along with one another. It was a concept so foreign to us. As we advanced further and further along the dirt covered road leading to the entrance of Caritas there was a feeling of excitement and uncertainty.
Our bus pulled up along side St. Gabriel's and we were let off to get to know everyone. As we sat down in the main Hall, we all formed little circles of friends in which was very disappointing to the staff. To loosen up the atmosphere the leader, Erik-wit-a-k had us do an activity in which we got to no other people from the separate school. Soon after, we all sat nervously awaiting the announcement of the cabins. Each cabin group left the Hall one by one until the hall was vacant. We began unpacking and getting to know our cabin leaders and members. Shortly after, we were soon called into the dinning hall to enjoy our first meal together. We slowly began to realize that it was different at Caritas but we didn't quite understand why.
After the first day of getting to know each other, we were separated into hiking groups and began our first adventure as a group. Immediately, we were challenged to trust one another in our first of many caterpillar walks. We were blindfolded and walked up a steep trail to the top of the mountain. But, we still didn't understand what the meaning of this trip was.
As our adventure began to proceed well into the week, we were faced with one of our many challenges. Our hiking groups set off in all directions as we proceeded well into the night. We were in search of the location of our night hike. We all began a small serendipity as a group of friends. To ease the nerves, our teacher naturalist gave us chocolate chip cookies and had us write down our fears of what lay ahead. As soon as we were finished, we read our fears proudly aloud and began to burn them in a pile. Soon, these fears were engulfed in flame and we began to realize what Caritas meant. One by one we headed off to conquer our fear of the dark and reach another step higher in our life.
As our trip began to wrap up, we were greeted with a trip inside of a trip. The whole camp pilled onto a few buses and headed down to the beach. Once we arrived we went on a little adventure exploring the natural scenery the ocean had to offer. Soon, our teacher naturalists split us up and let us sit and look down into the waters below. We were aloud to just be ourselves and think about our lives and what we wanted to make of them.
The next day as we said our tearful goodbyes we began to realize we were headed back up to reality. Caritas was a place of peace, where we could conquer our fears and realize the meaning of the friendships we have made over our 9 years together. I can still remember like it was yesterday when I was in kindergarten sitting by Ms. Worley's big purple chair, and now im preparing to apply to high school and finish this chapter of my life. We have had such a good time together and i hope these memories never fade.
As the St. Matthew's 8th grade stepped onto the big yellow CYO bus headed for Caritas they had no recognition of what was to be expected or what lay ahead of them. There was a sure sense of uncertainty, some hidden, and some visible from the surface. We couldn't comprehend a different environment and were expecting something that would force us to be friends and get along with one another. It was a concept so foreign to us. As we advanced further and further along the dirt covered road leading to the entrance of Caritas there was a feeling of excitement and uncertainty.
Our bus pulled up along side St. Gabriel's and we were let off to get to know everyone. As we sat down in the main Hall, we all formed little circles of friends in which was very disappointing to the staff. To loosen up the atmosphere the leader, Erik-wit-a-k had us do an activity in which we got to no other people from the separate school. Soon after, we all sat nervously awaiting the announcement of the cabins. Each cabin group left the Hall one by one until the hall was vacant. We began unpacking and getting to know our cabin leaders and members. Shortly after, we were soon called into the dinning hall to enjoy our first meal together. We slowly began to realize that it was different at Caritas but we didn't quite understand why.
After the first day of getting to know each other, we were separated into hiking groups and began our first adventure as a group. Immediately, we were challenged to trust one another in our first of many caterpillar walks. We were blindfolded and walked up a steep trail to the top of the mountain. But, we still didn't understand what the meaning of this trip was.
As our adventure began to proceed well into the week, we were faced with one of our many challenges. Our hiking groups set off in all directions as we proceeded well into the night. We were in search of the location of our night hike. We all began a small serendipity as a group of friends. To ease the nerves, our teacher naturalist gave us chocolate chip cookies and had us write down our fears of what lay ahead. As soon as we were finished, we read our fears proudly aloud and began to burn them in a pile. Soon, these fears were engulfed in flame and we began to realize what Caritas meant. One by one we headed off to conquer our fear of the dark and reach another step higher in our life.
As our trip began to wrap up, we were greeted with a trip inside of a trip. The whole camp pilled onto a few buses and headed down to the beach. Once we arrived we went on a little adventure exploring the natural scenery the ocean had to offer. Soon, our teacher naturalists split us up and let us sit and look down into the waters below. We were aloud to just be ourselves and think about our lives and what we wanted to make of them.
The next day as we said our tearful goodbyes we began to realize we were headed back up to reality. Caritas was a place of peace, where we could conquer our fears and realize the meaning of the friendships we have made over our 9 years together. I can still remember like it was yesterday when I was in kindergarten sitting by Ms. Worley's big purple chair, and now im preparing to apply to high school and finish this chapter of my life. We have had such a good time together and i hope these memories never fade.
Night Hike
Wednesday had gone by fast, and it was time for the event that everyone was waiting for, the Night Hike! The camp assembled at the campfire and split up into their individual hiking groups. As we walked out into Coyote Field, many of us commented that it was still very light out, which it was. However, we did a few quick activities, and the sky was dark before we knew it. We then began the first part of our night hike, hiking into the forest. Our group all linked hands, and we made a big long chain. We all had to rely on the person in front of us to guide us forward, because none of us could see. After about ten minutes, our Teacher Naturalist stopped us. She strictly commanded us to be completely silent. She told that we would now hike alone. Hiking in the dark was scary enough, but now we had to hike in the dark alone. I personally am not afraid of the dark, but many of my companions were. The first person hiked out into the darkness. In about five minutes, we heard a coyote howl. That was the signal for the next person to go. One by one, we left the group. Finally, it was my turn to go. I got up and began walking out into the darkness. It was so dark that you could barely see your feet. I didn't expect to be scared, and at first I wasn't. But as I went, I began to think of all the scary things I knew of: horror movies and books, cryptic messages, exorcisms. I began to walk faster. My heart beat more quickly, and I began to look around timidly. Creepy thoughts rushed into my head. "What if I trip and break an ankle? What if I get lost? What if a bear attacks me?" I tried to push those images out of my head, but they wouldn't leave. Then I heard a rustle in the bushes; I cringed in cowardice. Every single sound or movement frightened me. However, I was still able to walk along the path to my destination. When I finally saw the group waiting for me, a wave of relief pulsed through my body. I had made it, and I was proud of myself.
Wednesday had gone by fast, and it was time for the event that everyone was waiting for, the Night Hike! The camp assembled at the campfire and split up into their individual hiking groups. As we walked out into Coyote Field, many of us commented that it was still very light out, which it was. However, we did a few quick activities, and the sky was dark before we knew it. We then began the first part of our night hike, hiking into the forest. Our group all linked hands, and we made a big long chain. We all had to rely on the person in front of us to guide us forward, because none of us could see. After about ten minutes, our Teacher Naturalist stopped us. She strictly commanded us to be completely silent. She told that we would now hike alone. Hiking in the dark was scary enough, but now we had to hike in the dark alone. I personally am not afraid of the dark, but many of my companions were. The first person hiked out into the darkness. In about five minutes, we heard a coyote howl. That was the signal for the next person to go. One by one, we left the group. Finally, it was my turn to go. I got up and began walking out into the darkness. It was so dark that you could barely see your feet. I didn't expect to be scared, and at first I wasn't. But as I went, I began to think of all the scary things I knew of: horror movies and books, cryptic messages, exorcisms. I began to walk faster. My heart beat more quickly, and I began to look around timidly. Creepy thoughts rushed into my head. "What if I trip and break an ankle? What if I get lost? What if a bear attacks me?" I tried to push those images out of my head, but they wouldn't leave. Then I heard a rustle in the bushes; I cringed in cowardice. Every single sound or movement frightened me. However, I was still able to walk along the path to my destination. When I finally saw the group waiting for me, a wave of relief pulsed through my body. I had made it, and I was proud of myself.
Under the Stars
While the suns rays are just fairly visible to the human eye, another part of the day is emerging, night. As the night dwells the sky darkens and it then becomes dotted with microscopic stars, but in the eyes of us humans they seem to be emerging myriads as grains of shiny, sparkling sand. In Caritas though you will not happen to see the same stars as you would in you looked out your window now, but in Caritas it is as though you are one with the universe and it is as if you are one of the stars yourself in this galaxy of millions upon millions of stars. As the nightfalls on us campers we have the tendency to look up at the stars out of curiosity what might they have in store for us? The surprise to me as is to others is shocking. You see in Caritas there isn’t half the amount of lights that we have. Reasoning, lights tend to take out the clarity of the stars in the sky, it blocks the light that is being given off by the stars so that we can enjoy their beauty. In Caritas though you can see the beauty of each and every star and notice the universe in a different way then at home. In my opinion Caritas is one of the most magnificent places to just lie and watch something that is millions of miles away just glisten there for your enjoyment.
While the suns rays are just fairly visible to the human eye, another part of the day is emerging, night. As the night dwells the sky darkens and it then becomes dotted with microscopic stars, but in the eyes of us humans they seem to be emerging myriads as grains of shiny, sparkling sand. In Caritas though you will not happen to see the same stars as you would in you looked out your window now, but in Caritas it is as though you are one with the universe and it is as if you are one of the stars yourself in this galaxy of millions upon millions of stars. As the nightfalls on us campers we have the tendency to look up at the stars out of curiosity what might they have in store for us? The surprise to me as is to others is shocking. You see in Caritas there isn’t half the amount of lights that we have. Reasoning, lights tend to take out the clarity of the stars in the sky, it blocks the light that is being given off by the stars so that we can enjoy their beauty. In Caritas though you can see the beauty of each and every star and notice the universe in a different way then at home. In my opinion Caritas is one of the most magnificent places to just lie and watch something that is millions of miles away just glisten there for your enjoyment.
