Outdoor Education: Get Outside and Smell the Roses

Here at CCHS, students on a daily basis are inside learning about God's world,and occasionally on a nice sunny day, classes may carry on outside to enjoy the creation. But one of the classes offered here at Calvin is Outdoor Education which is just that - outside learning. This class is focused on the outdoors, combined with physical fitness, allowing students to not be stuck in the same four walls day in, day out. One of the class’s primary goals is to get out and learn about Christ’s creation, and to marvel in what God had made for us. Mr. VandeGlind, the Outdoor Educator creator and teacher, tries to have this class focus around how to look at creation in light of God's plan, and encourages students to relish in what God had set around us. He says, “My hope for this class is to make people comfortable with outdoor recreation and the outdoors, so in the future, they will go out into God’s creation and do those activities.” To drive home this point, students go out of the classroom and experience various outdoor activities – such as skiing and mountain biking at Elms Creek, rock climbing at Vertical Endeavors, as well as learning wilderness first aid training later in the course. In doing this, it helps and encourages them to get out and enjoy the wonders of nature God had designed for us to find and praise Him for. Though it is a small class this year, students have really enjoyed the trips that they have taken as a change of pace from the usual school schedule. Austin Bartz, a senior in this class, has captured footage of the class going out and biking at designated courses.  Check out the video below for a taste of what the class experiences:

Feel free to subscribe and watch the other videos of the class trips as well.

- Andrew Thomas

Cougar's Tale: Print Edition!

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Issue 6

20th Century Literature: Holocaust Survivors

The Few That Are Left: Holocaust Survivors

Where there is smoke there is fire. The crematoriums of the many concentration camps burned the bodies of millions. Few survived the mass killing now known as the Holocaust, but the people who did survive have amazing stories to tell. Some of these extraordinary people have been able to share their stories with the 20th Century Lit class. 

Erwin Farkus survived several different concentration camps including the notorious Auschwitz. He was liberated from the Nazis after being marched to near death. An American tank was their savior and it was the tank that liberated them.

Louise Dillery was from France, and when the Germans invaded, they came and took her father. The only reason she was not taken was because of what she calls human angels who helped her. One example of a human angel was a policeman who told her when the Nazis would come to take people, so she could hide.

Both of these survivors also were incredibly happy which was amazing that they still can see the best in humanity. It was important for the 20th Century lit. class to be able to meet the Holocaust survivors and to hear their stories.

-- Gabe Modder

The Flu Season Hits!

The flu season, as is the case every winter, is upon us. This year, however, it has hit especially hard around the United States. In the midst of an early-peaking, dangerous flu season, people around Minnesota and the country are being hospitalized at unusually high rates. Many predict that this flu season could hit harder than the H1N1 did just a few years back.
This season alone, 900 people in Minnesota have been hospitalized due to the flu, and nearly thirty have passed away, one notable one being a 14 year-old girl from Saint Louis Park. Experts are not yet sure when the flu is going to peak, but some believe that we are at the peak of the flu season, and some believe that we are weeks away. Whatever the case, many hospitals are at full capacity during this time of the year, and some have even sent patients away to other intensive care units simply because their hospital was already full.
During a winter like this, the spread of the flu is hard to avoid. The best things we can do, of course, are wash our hands and get the flu shot. Also, if you think you’re sick, stay home from work or school to help contain the virus.

Nathan Bonnema

Bartz' Snow Walrus

The Bartz brothers are at it again. Along with their younger brother Connor, Trevor (a junior) and Austin (a senior) have created a snow sculpture that is attracting attention from all around the Twin Cities. After building a giant pufferfish last year, they set their goals high this year and have built a giant walrus, tusks and all. In addition, they made an appearance on the CBS evening news with video of the walrus and interviews with the Bartz brothers.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video/8099139-new-brighton-brothers-create-giant-walrus-snow-sculpture/

Issue 5 Online Now!

Check out our fifth print issue, online now!

Issue 5

CCHS Responds to Newtown

Last month, our country was struck with yet another mass shooting, this time in the classrooms of an elementary school. This tragic event has caused great sadness all across the country, and has stricken fear into the hearts of parents. In the wake of a shooting such as this, politics have, of course, been thrown around. Many will say that we need stricter gun control, we need guns in the hands of teachers, we need to get rid of gun-free zones, we need to provide better help for mental illnesses, and so much more. While these things are topics that need discussion, we must not lose sight of those who have lost a loved one in this tragedy.

When we think back on events such as this, we often wonder, “how in the world could someone do something like this?” Generally, it is understood that killers in situations such as this one are need mental help or have an untreated condition.

This quote, which was first attributed to Morgan Freeman (who didn’t say it), has this to say: “Flip on the news and watch how we treat the Batman theater shooter and the Oregon mall shooter like celebrities. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris are household names, but do you know the name of a single *victim* of Columbine? Disturbed people who would otherwise just off themselves in their basements see the news and want to top it by doing something worse, and going out in a memorable way. Why a grade school? Why children? Because he’ll be remembered as a horrible monster, instead of a sad nobody... You can help by forgetting you ever read this man’s name, and remembering the name of at least one victim.”

The very best thing to do, however, is pray for the families of not only those killed in the shooting, but the kids who were unharmed, but had to witness it all at such a young age.

-- Nathan Bonnema