Blog #2: Learning to Be

Thursday September 12, 2019: Today I loaded and unloaded Firewood at Linda’s, I learned that a boiler produces hot water from wood. I have sap all over my hands; it feels good. The Moonrise was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I feel at peace with my part here. ~Zinnia

Hello readers! I hope this blog is finding everyone well. As the fall rolls in we have been working hard on projects around campus and on preparing for the long expedition ahead.

This week we paddled down the chilly waters of the Connecticut and Deerfield Rivers. During our 12-mile paddle down the Connecticut we stopped at a campsite next to “The Path of Life”, which is an interactive sculpture garden. In the morning as the sun rose each person silently made their way through the maze down to the large sculptures that stood tall over us, instruments in hand. Pele remarked, “it immersed me in the avant-garde which I haven’t previously experienced in such a medium.”

Learning to canoe on the Connecticut River

Early one morning we went to Mount Ascutney to meet Roger Haydock, a self taught geologist. As we climbed the steep mountain he told us the history of the trees and rocks we were seeing. When we were about 3,000 feet up the 3,100-foot mountain we met a person named John. John was setting up a wild-looking contraption and we decided to ask about it. It was a hang-glider! We got to watch as John ran, jumped off of the edge of the rock, and soared through the sky. It reminded us of a large butterfly.

The glider takes flight!

Learning from Roger Haydock

Academic work on the banks of the Connecticut

We then made our way to the Deerfield River in western Massachusetts. As we approached a class III rapid called “Zoar Gap” we got out of our boats and scouted. Then Zinnia, and Spencer approached the roaring waters in their canoe. Rio, Tristan, and Jackson readied ropes to throw incase anyone fell out of their boats. Their run was going very well when all of a sudden their boat started to tip and splashed into the water! Tristan threw the rope. Zinnia grabbed it, but then Tristan’s feet started to slip. Rio grabbed him, Jackson grabbed her, and they were all pulled in to safety! 

Kai and Pele in Zoar Gap

Heading cleanly into the rapids

Or not so cleanly?

Maya and guest teacher Jackson Ennis

Sara and Elena in Zoar Gap

            Back at Kroka we broke off into small group projects: a mix of service work, farm work, and deconstruction of the old Farmhouse. (For those who don’t know we are takingdown part of the farmhouse in order to rebuild a more sustainable space). Zinnia worked with a visiting school group from Housatonic Valley Waldorf School. Liam worked at a bakery a little ways from from Kroka called Orchard Hill. Fin and Kai worked at a neighbors house on their garden, as well as preparing firewood for the winter. Callie, Rio, Pele, Alice and I (Maya) worked harvesting fruits and veggies on the farm, caring for the animals, and deconstructing a neighbor's greenhouse that will be taken to Kroka and reused. (John, the owner of the greenhouse, has helped Kroka a lot throughout the years so when he asked us to help with the deconstruction we jumped at the opportunity). Elena and Tristan built a new tool shed and moved another across campus. Spencer and Sarah worked on deconstructing to farmhouse. Everyone had different but very fun and educational experiences.

Good-bye beloved old Farmhouse! We can't wait to build a new one. 

            In the past week we have had many adventures. We have woken up to sun shining through the trees as well as rain dripping on our tents. As we look forward to the light of the dessert, we aren’t sure what we’re looking at yet; but as we look back we smile at our many accomplishments and the countless laughs. Our hearts are warmed and out internal fires burn bright.

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P.S.

The semester students have compiled a small list of items we would enjoy and are reaching out to you all to help with what you can. Please send your donations to:

Kroka Semester
767 Forest Rd
Marlow, NH 03456

Dream List

Dried Pineapple

Dried Mango

Chocolate

Carob Chips

Dried Berries

Hair Buzzer

Dried Squash

Chia Seeds

Hot Sauce

Dried Peppers

Pecans

Coconut Shavings

Blog #1: Falling Into the Flow

Welcome pot-luck circle on a beautiful fall day

Hello friends, families, and loved ones reading the first entry in the Roaring Canyons Semester blog! My name is Maya and I have been appointed to the job of the “scribe” for the fall semester. 

After a departure from our lovely families on opening day, we ventured deep into the woods on the surrounding land. Under the dappling sunlight we walked the soft trails to the sparkling beaver pond. It is interesting to look back at those nervous and slightly awkward conversations made up of small talk and excitement over shared interests. As we walked we were only slightly aware of the amazing connections we would make in the coming days. Since we last saw you all we have grown our roots down, and our branches up. New connections have been made to form our group into what it is now, and what it will be as we move forward. 

Tristan gets "knighted" during opening ceremony

Parents form an arch for students

We have fallen into a daily routine of waking up at 5:15 to do various sorts of exercise, ranging from 20 sun salutations, to an intense ab workout. Finishing at 6:00 to be ready for chores at 6:20. On the second day each of us volunteered for a chore that we planned to stick with for the rest of the week in order to master it. Sarah is now a chicken and egg expert, while Elena can muck a stall like no other. 

Rio and Alice working on the shed roof

Spencer helping fill the hayloft with the second cut!

Kai unloads a trailer full of hay

As chores come to a close we breeze into breakfast. We then have a chance for a decompression at our individual sit spots in the woods. With a fifteen minute break we tie up loose ends and begin our academics. We are learning about the flow of rivers, the water cycle, nutrition, how to stay safe, warm, and dry while paddling, and much more. Each day we also swim from one end of the pond to the other three times as training for swimming in bigger water. We end every day with an evening meeting to check in with each other and ourselves before bed. 

Part of our curriculum is a class called “Expedition Preparation.” We have been reading about people who have embarked on amazing expeditions. Our assignment was to write a song about the expeditioners and perform it. Pele, Rio, Zinnia, Alice, and Kai wrote a song about the Cholitas Escalacoras. Their performance had everyone on the floor laughing! Wearing helmets and holding broomsticks they moved from rap to upside down singing while Alice pranced around us waving bandanas and making odds sorts of noises. 

Guest teacher Chris Knapp teaches fire by friction

Alice and Sarah at work on their bowdrill kits

Liam learns knife-making from Laurel and baby Sylvie

Zinnia at work on her knife blade

Although much of our time is filled with laughter it is not always easy. One physical challenge we faced was biking a very hilly 2 miles to Chases Mill with Callie leading us. Chases Mill is a water mill that is being worked on and will hopefully be functional soon. Even though the ride back to Kroka was not easy we had the bright waters of Lake Warren to gaze upon, and the support of each other as we climbed the steep New England hills. It was fun to watch as Tristan, Spencer, Fin, and Kai raced each other up the hills. 

This week we are all assigned our "big jobs" (expedition responsibilities). Working with our staff mentors, we packed and prepared for a small intensive expedition on the Connecticut and Deerfield Rivers. This will prepare our minds and bodies as we travel down these East coast rivers. Looking to the tall Green mountains, soon to be many shades of reds and yellows, we are imagining the red-rock canyons of the West. As the journey continues forward I will keep you all updated on our many adventures, and the always continuing growth of our roots, and branches.

Zinnia and Callie share a moment in the pasture

Liam and Elena take in the view

Pele takes a rest during the harvest day! 

Maya, the scribe

Callie contemplates the long journey ahead!

Fin - hard at work on the shed roof!