Class experiences outdoor camp

By Sandy Morris

The fifth grade class from Nancy Smith Elementary School attended Camp Grady Spruce, an outdoor educational camp on Possum Kingdom Lake, last week.

Accompanying the 33 local students were NSES principal John Gallagher, and four teachers including Leslie Neve, Candy Balliew, AISD nurse Lisa Russell, and William Vaughan.

The group left the local campus on Monday, Nov. 16 and returned from camp on the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 18.

“Our students enjoyed the trip, and I think all of them wish it could have been longer,” Gallagher said. 

Outdoor camp has become a tradition for the local fifth graders, and this is the fifth year for the group to attend YMCA Camp Grady Spruce, located on the shoreline of Possum Kingdom Lake, for the learning experience.

The TEKS based outdoor education camp allows the students the opportunity to learn while exploring the outdoors.

Activities included hiking up Johnson’s Peak and traveling to Devil’s Island, and climbing up the left side of Hell’s Gate while learning about local folklore, sedimentary rock, landforms, and water reservoirs. 

“This is always a great trip for the students,” said Gallagher. “We look forward to continuing to work with the YMCA Camp Grady Spruce for years to come.