Webster Fifth Graders Learn New Skills at Yosemite

Fifty fifth graders from , along with Principal Phil Cott, teachers Karen Verham and Kristina London, and eight parent chaperones, engaged in a high-impact learning experience at Yosemite this past week. This is the 21st year for Webster’s fifth graders to spend a week learning in Yosemite.

Through hands-on activities under the guidance of experienced instructors, students learned about ecology, botany, biology and environmental sciences. They also learned about the history of Yosemite and its original, native inhabitants. In addition, students learned valuable problem-solving skills and effective team building techniques and lessons.

Some highlights include snaking through the pitch-black Spider Caves, crawling through a huge Sequoia tree, gazing up at the giant Sequoias in the Tuolomne Grove, swimming in Mirror Lake, and hiking up the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and the on to Clark’s Point, where they were able to see both Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls.

Principal Phil Cott has been central to this very special and meaningful trip for Webster’s fifth graders. In addition to coordinating all of the details and ensuring a meaningful experience for everyone, Mr. Cott also joined the students on their strenuous hike up the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls.

Fifth grader Garrett Le reflected, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me to do these things with all of my friends and my dad. I will always remember it.”