Camp offering year-round educational programs

On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, Somers Middle School seventh-graders gathered around a topographic map to talk elevation, direction and compasses under the shelter of a pavilion.

Three other groups set off on snowshoes to learn about snow science, winter animal adaptations, winter survival and “leave no trace,” knowing that the evening promised a toasty campfire.

The group of 59 middle-school students were on an overnight environmental education camp at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp.

In October, Smith Valley School sixth-graders visited the camp for the first time at similar educational trip over three days.

It’s part of Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp’s plan to offer more educational programs on its property, which encompasses 250 acres nestled along the west side of Flathead Lake, 15 miles south of Kalispell at 550 Lutheran Camp Road in Lakeside. It’s a location close to home for schools such as Somers and Smith Valley.

The camp has hosted day programs before and has its staple summer camps, but Luke Stappler, environmental education specialist for Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, was hired last spring to expand educational programs year-round.

“It’s been in their strategic plan for a long time because the actual property isn’t used in the wintertime,” Stappler said, describing the waterfront property as beautiful at any time of year.

Back in the pavilion, Kyle Lefler, program coordinator at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, was teaching students about topography and how the contour lines show things like elevation ad summits.

“Anybody see a spot that is really, really steep where you can point out where there might be a mountain?” Lefler asked.

A few fingers reached to point on the map.

“Yeah, [there’s] a lot going on right here. If you look right there from us, kind of right across the bay from us, what is it?” Lefler said, pointing.

“A mountain,” the kids said.

As an activity to practice drawing topographic lines, Lefler has the students observe their knuckles. She holds up a clasped hand.

“Like I have really, really steep knuckles. Anybody have shallower knuckles? So, you can kind of see I’m just representing this as a summit and drawing that topo line,” Lefler said, using a marker.

After the students drew the topography of a knuckle, she moved on to finding direction.

“What would you do if we drop you off in the middle of the woods back there and asked you which direction was back toward camp? We’re asking you which way is south,” Lefler said.

Some students said to look for the sun to determine direction. Lefler nodded and then talked about land features such as how the camp is situated by the lake.

“So our property sits facing directly south, which is really helpful,” Lefler said. “But it’s not always straightforward.”

“What about if you have all that’s available to you? How else would you guys find directions,” Lefler said.

“GPS,” one student said. Another said “a compass.” Both were met with a smile by Lefler.

“So last group everybody immediately said ‘I would get my cellphone out,’ so you guys are more resourceful. I like that. So we’ve got these really cool technological devices to help us get all over the place,” she said.

When cellphone service or a high-tech GPS system that people use in the backcountry aren’t available, there is always the compass, Lefler advised.

“We can use them pretty much anywhere,” she said, handing out compasses.

She later noted that it’s important for the students to learn how to rely on themselves when trekking outdoors.

After learning about the parts of a compass, the group headed to a field and adjusted their compasses.

“The red part of our needle should be facing north,” Lefler said.

“Compasses are not perfect. They are not controlled by satellites like GPS are. They are doing their best to connect with the magnetic north pole,” she said.

The students were then handed directions to navigate.

Seventh-graders Gabe Durgan and Evan Gambino looked over the directions. While it’s not often they use compasses, both were somewhat familiar with them because Durgan carries one when out hunting and Gambino is in Boy Scouts.

“[It’s] just good to have if you get lost,” Durgan said.

After completing the directions, the pair realized the activity led them in a triangle back to their starting point. The group then headed up to a more forested area.

Not that far away, Stappler’s group walked to a small clearing in the forest to learn about animal adaptations to winter when three deer crossed their path.The group stopped at a picnic table, dropping backpacks and taking seats to learn and do activities on how animals adapt to the cold, snow, lack of sun and energy requirements.

Off in another part of the camp, seventh-grader Audrey Metzler kneeled in the snow, leaning over to peer into a small magnifying glass contained in a cylinder.

“We’re looking for snow crystals,” Metzler said looking up. “Which type they are.”

Earlier, Ian Bartling, wilderness coordinator for Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, had taught them about morphology of snow crystals — faceted, rounded and melt-freeze.

Metzler then handed the magnifying glass over to classmate Jaidyn Reece for a look.

“What are you guys observing so far?” Bartling asked.

“Rounded,” Reece said.

“Why do you think that,” he said.

“Because they’re round and bubbly,” a student in another group said.

“Write down all your observations,” Bartling said.

The group later headed out to dig a snow pit to look at snow layers for any differences.

Some students couldn’t resist making snowballs and tossing them at each other.

“It’s pretty good snowball-making weather,” Bartling said.

Right now the multiday camps are geared toward middle-school students and the curriculum is focused on environmental science, according to Stappler. He said any schools interested in scheduling a camp should contact him at 406-270-7055, or environmentaled@flbc.net.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.