Juniper Hill School’s first and second graders spent their Fridays through the winter term at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson, a forest-based, nonprofit education center with more than 30 miles of trails. For eight weeks the students were joined by various guest teachers and presenters, including a cross-country skiing instructor, tracking and forestry experts, a predator biologist, and primitive skills teachers. Nearly all were volunteers, offering their time and knowledge with eager students.

A winter filled with abundant snowstorms taught the children that working within the elements of nature requires adaptability. Nearly three feet of snow in two weeks made for a real-life study of coyote and predator winter survival, using the natural terrain of HVNC and the guiding expertise of predator biologist and coyote expert Geri Vinstein. The students studied the difficulties that animals experience in the winter, as they themselves worked to stay warm, move through deep snow, and find water and food (conveniently provided for them in lunch boxes).

A visit by tracking expert Meg Gilmartin was preceded by yet another winter storm, covering any tracks with a fresh layer of snow. The students then focused on finding animal signs on tree trunks, branches, and conjecturing about what might lay beneath the winter wonderland. This experience demonstrated the difficulty of animals searching for food, not only in locating prey but in maneuvering through winter conditions.

The Primitive Skills School from Augusta joined the students in sub-zero temperatures and high winds for a lesson in building snow shelters and fires. They guided the class in using the sun as a primary source of heat, positioning a sheltered site for maximum warmth and protection, and using the snow to reflect and capture the heat of a burning fire. Students found dry wood, created tinder nests, and with much patience, successfully started fires.

Much of the time at HVNC was spent cross-country skiing, with the help of ski instructor Annie Nixon. For many students, this was their first experience on skis. As the weeks progressed so did the confidence and skills of the children and by their final week the class was able to travel as a group the entire length of the trail to climb “Sugar Hill” and celebrate as each child flew down the steep slope.

For more information, visit www.juniperhillschool.org. The school is located at 180 Golden Ridge Road in Alna.