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Tweet Dreams: A Night of Learning and Fun at Lucky Peak

By Guest Author Derek Wright, Riverstone International School Outdoor Education Coordinator

Exploring the Natural World

As the sun slowly sets behind the trees, I gaze across our camping area full of 5th graders attempting to assemble their sleeping structure for the night. Poles and tent parts are strewn everywhere, rainflies are tangled, and stakes are haphazardly hammered in awaiting a large gust of wind. Although many might see unorganized chaos, I see nearly 30 students working as a team, communicating, and building skills that are so much more than simply setting up a tent. We are Riverstone International School. As part of our Outdoor Education Program, we have conducted an annual overnight camping trip at the Intermountain Bird Observatory for nearly a decade. For many 5th graders, this is their first time setting up and sleeping in a tent.

The Lucky Peak Research station is such a wonderful place, close to home, which allows us to focus on many of our outdoor education learning outcomes, outdoor skills, environmental stewardship, and self-awareness.

a chaotic scene of twenty fifth graders packed together on the main camping pad at Lucky Peak. each working on a different camp setup task. Some are working together on detangling tent poles, some are pounding tent stakes, some are laying out tents. The Lucky Peak yurt, douglas fir trees, and subarus are in the background
Team work is in full swing as tents are being set up for a night under the stars. Photo Credit: Trevor Lindsay, 5th Grade Teacher, Riverstone

Learning Outcomes and Outdoor Skills

We focus on place-based outdoor education at Riverstone, and our campus sits in the shadows of Lucky Peak. I sometimes find myself peering at the summit knowing such a diverse ecosystem sits atop. “Ecosystems and Urbanization” is the first unit of inquiry for our 5th grades, and a visit to the IBO allows our teachers to complete the unit with a brilliant opportunity for hands-on learning. It’s incredible to be able to view Lucky Peak from the bottom and then have the opportunity to see the lights of Boise below while at the summit.

This shows just how close humanity is to natural habitats, allowing for great discussion about how we can minimize our impact on nature and the wildlife that calls it home.

an all dark nighttime image shows glowing city lights in the distance, with the lines from major streets and busy areas shining especially brightly.
The sparkling city lights of Boise as seen from the top of Lucky Peak. Photo Credit: Heather Hayes

The tents are finally up and I find myself appreciating the friendly forecast of clear skies and no wind. Although, it would provide a great learning opportunity for our students to wake up a little bit wet in a collapsed tent.

I scramble to get dinner ready as students hover around the camp kitchen with growling stomachs loud enough to drown out the sounds of nature.

The kids are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see an owl up close and personal. We quickly devour our dinner and clean our area up, discussing why it is important to throw all our trash away and dispose of all food particles appropriately. The air is getting cooler, jackets and hats are being put on, and the group heads up to the top of Hawkwatch to bid farewell to the setting sun as it sinks into hiding for the night.

a group of about 20 students and a few parents stand at the top of Lucky Peak overlooking Boise. They are facing away over the valley, raising their arms into the air in celebration. The sun is setting with a beautiful orange glow
Students enjoying the sunset from the top of Lucky Peak. Photo Credit: Trevor Lindsay, 5th Grade Teacher, Riverstone

An Evening with the Owls

Darkness falls over the Peak and as the students come back down into camp, the owl lure broadcast calls begin and can be heard throughout the forest. With hushed excitement they file into a comfortably small amphitheater where Heather Hayes, IBO’s Community Science Coordinator, is preparing to present a wonderful program focusing on owls and their adaptations.

 A perfect educational appetizer before the rest of the evening!

After the program, we quietly wait for the first owl net check. The research biologists that are camped at the top of the peak have awoken from their daytime slumber just as the owls they are attempting to catch. These nocturnal humans have such a passion for their work and are always excited and willing to share that passion with our students. We finally see two biologists ready to take students on a net “run”. After a quick orientation about walking carefully along the mist nets and trails of the research station, we are off.

Quietly and swiftly we make our way through the night walking along towering nets anticipating the arrival of a nocturnal predator.

Scanning the nets, a biologist spots something in the net. It’s a Northern Saw-whet owl! The kids quietly roar with excitement as we head back to the banding yurt to see it up close.

two scientists each hold a northern saw whet owl. They are holding the birds with wings outstretched to show their flight feathers. Both scientists are wearing headlamps and warm jackets
IBO’s owl researchers, Phoebe and Noah, show Riverstone students the details of two Northern Saw-whet Owl’s wings. Photo Credit: Carissa Schlachter, 5th Grade Teacher, Riverstone

Back at the yurt, a small window opens to the outside where students can observe biologists doing actual research and work banding a variety of birds. As they measure weight, wing length, and collect other pertinent data, the biologists take the time to carefully explain what they are doing and the importance of why they are doing it.

 I see absolute amazement and wonder in our students’ eyes as they are peering at such a tiny animal.

After the Northern Saw-whet Owl is done with its short visit in the trained hands of researchers, it is time to release it back into the night.

The photo is taken in red light and appears all black and red. about ten students gather around with outstretched hands held together to make a platform. A tiny adorable saw whet owl sits perched on their hands as heather hayes leans in to help release it.
IBO’s Community Science Coordinator Heather Hayes helps Riverstone students release a Northern Saw-whet by gently blowing on the owl’s wings to encourage flight. Photo Credit: Carissa Schlachter, 5th Grade Teacher, Riverstone

We go on a few more net runs, losing a few students to the call of a warm sleeping bag, and continue to find an owl or two each time. The teachers and I finally make the call to have all the students head to bed, much later than their bedtime at home.

As the students crawl into their tents and quiet their bodies and minds, the area around us is teeming with life in the night!

Sleep is important, for tomorrow morning we watch the research station make the switch to banding songbirds and need all the energy we can get!

The camping pad at Lucky Peak after dark is crowded with tents. The light of flashlights inside each tent gives off a cheery glow
Glowing tents during bedtime. Photo Credit: Carissa Schlachter, 5th Grade Teacher, Riverstone

The cool air greets us in the early morning, and we break down camp while eating breakfast at the same time. The camping area is devoid of sagging tents and overlapping rainflies. The kids have packed up and are participating in songbird banding. Much like the owl net runs, we follow the mist nets to find songbirds who have softly fallen into the net. The researchers catch enough birds that each student can release one from the palm of their hand. A surreal experience for many, and one I have not had the opportunity to do in my 5 years of camping at the IBO as I prioritize the kids’ learning.

However, this year as the kids ventured away from camp to view birds of prey soaring over Boise, I heard my name…

“Derek, come have a little bit of fun!” Heather says as she approaches me with a Black-capped Chickadee. She gently sets the bird in my outstretched hand. It finds comfort in my warm palm. After a minute or so, it flies away, back to its life of migration and exploration. I feel giddy and joy as the kids do when they get to release a bird. I thank Heather for such a great experience. It was such a wonderful way to end a night at the IBO’s Lucky Peak migratory bird research station.

Image of a hand with a small brown bird taking flight with its wings outstretched. There are green fir trees and yellow understory vegetation in the background
And… we have lift off! After years of watching his students release songbirds, Derek was finally able to experience the magic himself with the release of a spunky Black-capped Chickadee. Photo Credit: Heather Hayes

 

We Invite You to Invest in the Future of IBO’s Education and Outreach Today!

Did you know that the Lucky Peak project and our outreach work, including fantastic school field trips like the one you just read about, relies on your donations? If you’d like to boost the impact of your donation, consider contributing to the Barbara L. Forderhase IBO Education Fund. Select this endowed fund in the drop down option when you give on our secure website, or designate this fund on the memo line of your check. Building this endowment will ensure IBO’s outreach and education team will be able to continue providing quality conservation education programs for years to come.

Experience Idaho’s Fall Migration

Come visit Lucky Peak and take part in the magic of fall migration with the IBO! We love hosting visitors and providing unique hands-on learning opportunities for any age. Whether you stop in just for the day or decide to camp overnight, we have no doubt that this will be an unforgettable experience! Visit our registration webpage in July 2024 to reserve your spot.

This article is part of our 2023 end of the year newsletter! View the full newsletter here, or click “older posts” below to read the next article.

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