A Fun Day of Outdoor Education

Twas a Kodak moment at yesterday's Idaho State Forestry Contest, and fortunately, my camera was ready for action to catch this image.

After a morning of learning about trees, logging, compasses, etc. from some wonderful volunteer instructors, kids trotted or walked on down the hill from the forest at the Delay Farm to a gathering place where smoke was comin' off the grill and hamburgers were sizzling.

Another group of volunteers stood ready and waiting to dish up the burgers, beans, chips and cookies for 300-plus students, adults and volunteers who participated in the 33rd annual contest and forestry field day. 

Doug Bradetich, a Sandpoint local and a career forester, served as honorary chair for this year's contest.  My hubby Bill gave him the white cap, designating his distinction.

And, by the way, if you were reading yesterday, I found Bill's honorary chair hat from three years ago, and he greeted me with a big smile when he saw me bringing it to him at the contest. 

This is honorary chair Doug Bradetich's  (and Mindy McCormick Bradetich's) daughter Erin who has followed her dad's footsteps.  I caught her at a moment when she was providing some passionate instruction to a group of youngsters.   Pretty neat to see those generational career choices. 

My sister's enthusiastic expression in this photo was fairly universal as I walked from group to group, watching students and adults learning about different aspects of forestry.

An editorial comment:  this annual day at the Delay farm provides a perfect blend of  beautiful settings and knowledgeable instructors who are passionate about our forests.

I commented to one participant that all of our school administrators and school trustees should walk through the day's events.  I think they would be as impressed as I am with the enrichment this event provides to hundreds of young people every year.   

One of our school district's truly passionate teachers, Kathy Taylor.  Kathy sat in my third-period honors English class back in my first year of teaching 1969-70.

She is fierce, at the very least, about wanting her students to experience and learn everything they can about the great outdoors.

This man is a phenomenal educator.  I was walking with my sister's group who were on their way to a learning station.

When  the group walked on past this man's learning station and kept going, I suddenly lagged behind.  Doug Toland had captured my interest in that short interlude of passing through and kept it through his entire presentation.

He has a magical way with kids and adults and knows how, with all his knowledge, to get them fully engaged.  He came to the forestry contest as a volunteer.  I think they'll be inviting him back because he's amazing!

Suzy came along as a parent of a Sagle School student.  She's also a former and beloved student.  Suzy is an amazing mother and a somewhat newly minted long-distance runner.

That smile you see is vintage Suzy---very positive and supportive and sweet.  It was fun to spend a few minutes with her. 

Another former student who teaches the children at Farmin-Stidwell always makes me proud.  She told me in a Facebook comment last night that she looked grouchy in this photo.

I said she looked like the Lisa Thompson Greene I know---often in deep thought.

I always marveled at Lisa's wonderful mind and passion for taking whatever time is necessary for reaching complete understanding in most matters.

Lisa waited a while to finish her college education.  I was very proud when she entered the teaching profession, and I know my sister Laurie appreciates working side by side with her. 

Call this another Kodak moment.  After returning home from the forestry contest, I saw these two little birds sitting side by side on one of our feeder roofs.

Soon they turned to each other as if to have a conversation.  Then, I watched one pick up something and feed it to the other.

I grabbed my camera, thinking that would never happen again, but it did.  Several times, this scene occurred, and happily I was able to capture it.