We did a lot this day. Started by packing things up for a day trip/camping trip to Sage Creek. Overnight low forecast to be close to 15, so in the end decided to move the camping from outdoors to inside the visitor's center's exhibits. More on that later. We started in the quad with Ranger Cathy talking to the kids about Leave No Trace ethics. Then we headed out, making stops along the drive out to Sage Creek. Among other places, we stopped at Big Foot Pass where Russ, the teacher from Red Cloud, told the story of chief Big Foot's ride towards Pine Ridge in 1890 which ended with the massacre at Wounded Knee. Next we stopped near the Conata Basin, had lunch, then hiked down to the picnic area and Big Pig Dig site (significant paleontology site). Ryan, a friend and LE Ranger, met up with us there and hiked with us. Finally we continued down to Sage Creek, and after turning onto the Rim Rd, saw plenty of big horn and bison. The male bison were fighting again, which is just wonderful to watch. Down at Sage Creek, we found and explored the bison carcass I found a year ago, and Francesco gave the students another biology lesson. Climbed down into the creek, looked at fossils, and then Gary, Francesco, and one of their students followed me around and out a different way. Ended by meeting back up with everyone, and having some grilled sausages and hot dogs together, jumping around in place to try to keep warm. The sun set before we ate, and it was cold enough when the sun was still out. Packed up and drove back to the visitor's center in the dark, under the many stars of a clear night.

Back at the visitor's center, everyone pulled out sleeping bags and pads and claimed a spot amongst the exhibits. I chose to camp under the model of a big horn. It was fantastic. We had lights out pretty early at 10pm, only the lights would not stay out. They are on motion sensors, and despite the Rangers' best efforts, we slept with all the lights on. There was plenty of silliness, mostly led by Gary and Francesco, to finish the evening with some smiles.

Behind the quad.

Leave No Trace ethics discussion.

Big Foot Pass.

Local news station interviewing youth camp leaders.

Ranger Cathy giving a graphic demonstration of what
a bison does to wallow.

Prairie at Burns Basin.

Ranger Ryan applying an ice pack to Ranger Natalie's wrists.
Even Rangers can fall in the badlands.

Looking out over Conata/Yellow Mounds.

Yellow Mounds.

Conata Road by the Big Pig Dig site.

Big Horn Sheep crossing between our vehicle lineup.

And the bison.

The bison carcass I originally found a year ago.

Students along the rim of the creek bed.

Gary and a student, investigating fossils.

Francesco, leaping the creek.

A student leaping the creek.

Gary leaping the creek.

Cottonwood at Sage Creek.

Cottonwoods at Sage Creek.

Sage Creek just before sunset.

Camping in the VC with the students.

My 'camp' site under the big horn.

Today was great. Everyone involved in the youth camp met at the visitor's center at 10:30 this morning where a few of the rangers presented some park information, getting the kids to think about things like land use and the mission of the NPS. Around noon we all loaded up into vehicles and drove to Old NE Rd for a short, 2 mile hike along the Castle Trail to the Door/Window overlook area. We had many rangers along for the hike: education/interp, paleontology, ecology. The temperature was somewhere in the teens when we set out, with a substantially lower wind chill of about 0. It was bitter, but I didn't hear any real complaints from anyone, and it seemed like the hike was enjoyed by all.

When we arrived back at the visitor's center, I talked a bit about how we are incorporating art into their experience through the use of field journals. We all had about an hour then for contemplative alone time to write/draw. After that we went around the room and shared about what we had chosen to put into the journals.

Headed back to the quad for dinner and, for some of the NYC kids, learning how to pitch a tent and camp. The students are camping out in the quad tonight as a trial run for tomorrow night's camp out in Sage Creek. As I type the temperature is about 20, so we'll see how the kids fare through this night. Their sleeping bags are rated 35 or 40 degrees, and tomorrow night is forecast to be chillier and windier. Most of us ate together in one of the quad apartments, and after dinner us grownups (the teachers from both schools, two artists, and paleontologist) sat in the corner and got into some marvelous conversations around all sorts of topics from religion to science to politics and social dynamics between cultures and those who hold power.

Tomorrow we drive down to Sage Creek in the morning, camp overnight, then head to the grasslands for some fossil exploration. I won't have cell signal for almost two days, so the next blog post will be late. Have to go pack now for a frigid camping experience.