My fifth-grade class went on a field trip to Big Pine and got to learn about fly fishing, a water table, all kinds of plants, bears, and how to keep tent areas clean. I will be talking about the tent. When we first got there it was covered in trash and everything was messed up. The fire was not out and there was wood all around. The grass was not dead in the area of the fire so it could light the ground on fire. There was fish on the tent which could have animals get into it. So we got to learn how to clean up and take care of the land around it . First, we picked up all the garbage put it in a garbage bag, and put it in his truck. Then we put the fish away, picked up all of the pine needles and wood around the fire, and dug a hole to put the fire in because fire cannot burn dirt. It was an amazing experience to have with my fifth-grade class and I can't wait for next year's fifth-graders to learn all about this.

By Lottie DiGiando

Fly Fishing and Aqua Bugs

By Siri Cooper

Last week we went on a field trip to the Big Pine campground. There were five different stations, one of my favorite stations was the fly fishing and aqua bug table. First, we would identify bugs such as Stoneflies, leeches, and Alderflies. We also looked at what bugs were in the river so we could use those flies to fish so we would catch more. We also learned how to carry the rod and how to cast, my arm got tired very quickly but Mr. Hanson said he did this eight hours in a row which kept me motivated. In conclusion, Fly Fishing and the Aqua Bug Table was my favorite station on our field trip to Big Pine Campground.

The Stream Table

By Sidney Kuhl

During the fifth-grade field trip, the fifth grade did a station called the Stream Table and riparian vegetation. Riparian vegetation is important in the water system. Riparian vegetation helps for dams in rivers. The sand and rocks get caught in the riparian vegetation. Riparian vegetation is what filters the water, habitat, and climate.

Down by the Big Pine Campground, there are many different kinds of trees and berries. There are more kinds of trees than you think like firs, aspens, and spruce trees, which are good for climbing. You could also find the Big Pine which is over 200 ft tall and over 350 years old and has lived and stayed healthy the whole time. It is a park monument and is very well known. There are also a lot of berries like snowberries that birds eat a lot.

There is a berry there that is edible and you can eat from the plant (don’t take all the berries). Those are the trees and berries at Big Pine Campground

By Loren Mellen

One day we went to the big pine campground. There were 5 groups and 5 stations. I am going to talk about the bear station. We learned what to do if we have an encounter with a bear.1 don’t walk towards the bear.2 walk the opposite way.3 start spraying bear spray at 60 ft if necessary. We learned how to use bear spray. He let us touch a life-size grizzly bear and a life-size black bear. The claws and teeth of a grizzly are huge. He told us how to tell the difference between a grizzly bear and a black bear. A grizzly bear has a shoulder bump and a black bear doesn't. Also if you come across a grizzly bear don’t walk towards it. I learned a lot.

By Huntley Toering