Day 1560: First cook class

Busy, busy, busy.  We arrived at school by 12:30 and began preparing for cook classes.  We sorted food, collected cook equipment, set up tables, made copies and wrote announcements. I met the Cassadaga crew and then fitted several for backpacks.  Steve did the instruction on stove safety and fueling while I set up the bulk foods for packaging.

Two adults came with the Cassadaga students and wanted to pitch in immediately.  We always have the student leaders manage the cook groups and organize the packing, so the adults were at a loss of what to do.  We know the students learn more and build more cohesive teams when they do the work themselves. This is their hike, not ours, and they have to take ownership.

The kids seemed to enjoy the macaroni and cheese because they consumed every bite.  While they ate, they began to get to know each other a bit.  Then small groups packed up lunch bags, oatmeal, brown sugar, cracklin' oat bran and fig newtons.  By 4;20, we were done.  By 5:10, Steve and I were asleep in our respective chairs.  The last few weeks have really taken their toll.

The oat bran team

The brown sugar team