Our Trip to Letchworth State Park:
What can I say---it was amazing to see the Park and an incredible experience to see our kids having a blast being themselves and being enthralled at the sight of the waterfalls, railroad bridge across the canyon as well as the stone walls built by the Works Progress Administration (which we learned about in last years camp). In addition to the beautiful hike along the canyon, the kids went the Letchworth museum and saw arrowheads and other artifacts like the ones they picked out of the ground last week at our Geneseo site. We hiked up to the native american counsel grounds where native tribes used to meet up until 1870s. We toured the 200 year old log cabin of Nancy Jemison, Mary Jemison's daughter. Then we met up with our Flint Napper Ken Wallace who showed us how arrow heads were made by native americans using flint and gentley pounding it with the blunt end of a deer antler. With the flint shard they fashioned the shape with another rock. He also showed his collection of bow and arrows and other hunting tools used by natives 200 plus years ago. Our students also had fun drumming in the Pavillion shelter we rented at the Park. Some of the groups were so good and resonated throughout the park that the Letchworth staff stopped in to see if we had hired a professional to do a Pow Wow.
We have tons of photos and videos of the trip which will be posted to this blog shortly by myself or Kim Hoffman. Those of you who can make it to the dig closing events will also see slideshows and video clips at the Ballroom in the Union.
Ciao,
Susan
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Day 5;Kids are on a real adventure and discovery at the camp
What an adventure we are all having!!!!! This is a real academic Indiana Jones in action.... On Monday the kids and counselors received a map originated by the Rochester Museum of Science with long houses marked on it. We didn't know if we would really find anything of importance but as it turns out the RYSAG has discovered a real site with an even older house or camp site of people that are thousands of years before the Seneca. How awesome is that!!!!!!
Chief Krumrine, Excavation
It's a little confusing to the kids and the counselors, because we were expecting to find an Iroquois longhouse (at least that's what the map suggested) and we've been emphasizing Iroquois culture. But, as I told the kids last Monday, we could find an occupation from a totally different time period going back as late as 10,000 years. That's what happened, which is both exciting and demonstrates the nature of archaeological research (as quoted in Raiders of the Lost Ark, archaeology is not an exact science!). The people who likely occupied this site were archaic hunters and gatherers (pre-agriculturalists and pre-Seneca) whose ancestors moved into this area when the glaciers retreated and took advantage of abundant game and plant resources that were available in the valley and upland areas. I'll put together a collection of Iroquois artifacts that the kids can look at, maybe at headquarters, and compare to the artifacts that they're finding at the site. Hopefully this will help them conceptualize better that these are different people than the Seneca (although it's also important to note that many Seneca may not agree with that, since many NA creation stories reinforce the idea that groups had originated where they were when Euro-Am came). At least culturally speaking, they are different. The Seneca history that they're learning is still very important in allowing them to construct the culture history of the area (vital to any offical contact archaeology report!).
To view our kids in the news on Saturday in the D & C go to
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080719/NEWS01/807190327/-1/archive1
Yours,
Susan
Chief Krumrine, Excavation
It's a little confusing to the kids and the counselors, because we were expecting to find an Iroquois longhouse (at least that's what the map suggested) and we've been emphasizing Iroquois culture. But, as I told the kids last Monday, we could find an occupation from a totally different time period going back as late as 10,000 years. That's what happened, which is both exciting and demonstrates the nature of archaeological research (as quoted in Raiders of the Lost Ark, archaeology is not an exact science!). The people who likely occupied this site were archaic hunters and gatherers (pre-agriculturalists and pre-Seneca) whose ancestors moved into this area when the glaciers retreated and took advantage of abundant game and plant resources that were available in the valley and upland areas. I'll put together a collection of Iroquois artifacts that the kids can look at, maybe at headquarters, and compare to the artifacts that they're finding at the site. Hopefully this will help them conceptualize better that these are different people than the Seneca (although it's also important to note that many Seneca may not agree with that, since many NA creation stories reinforce the idea that groups had originated where they were when Euro-Am came). At least culturally speaking, they are different. The Seneca history that they're learning is still very important in allowing them to construct the culture history of the area (vital to any offical contact archaeology report!).
To view our kids in the news on Saturday in the D & C go to
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080719/NEWS01/807190327/-1/archive1
Yours,
Susan
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Which students are on which team?
Green
Abdraimova, A
Abdullah, A
Alexander, T
Burgess, M
Coaxum, E
Frazier, Z
Montesdeoca, M
Pegoni, B
Porter, L
Robinson, A
Rodriguez, Ca
Scott, C
Strozier, A
Thomas, J
Red Jackets (Cedar)
Arnone, C
Bakari, A
Bell, M
Bennet, Z
Bradley, J
Colquitt, A
Cook, M
Eaton, R
Fennell, W
Hofmann, J
Rivera, J
Sampson, T
Williamson, D
Wright, T
Young, T
United People for the Seneca (UPS - brown)
Benton, J
Brown, L
Clark, J
Crawford, K
Ferguson, M
Hancock, D
Land, A
Rankin, O
Sickler, V
Sisson, J
St. Clair, S
Vick, C
Williams, M
Valley Voices (Tangerine)
Cummings, C
Esposito, J
Greene, S
Martinez, C
Ramirez, C
Rodriguez, J
Sampson, W
Simmons, I
Thomas, C
Thompson, D
Wallace,
White, W
White, La
Zayas, A
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Day 4, July 17, 2008
Parents,
Another fabulous day at the dig site. This morning the tangerine team found a beautifully intact arrowhead that has been dated approximately 5000 years old by our Archaeologist Chief Krumrine. Even the research interns had not found such a nice arrowhead at their field camps. I will wait until Chief Krumrine posts her findings and let her describe the significance of the site.
Another highlight for the past two days has been the fascinating interviews that our campers have conducted across the Geneseo Campus. Our campers have discussed the issue of the dig with the Assistant Provost, Associate VP of Advancement, brilliant scholars, opinionated business people and interesting Alumni.
I posted some of the pictures that have been taken on at the summer camp. I will try to add to them daily as the camp goes on.
One hardship of the camp has been the heat!!! All the campers have water bottles and are encouraged to drink as much as possible all day long. We have tried to adjust our schedules during the afternoon to keep the kids out of the sun. However the afternoon dig class has no choice and just needs to take it easy walking back and forth from the air conditioned classrooms to the hotter than hades dig site. There is a canopy and water once they get to the site but the path down there is pure sun.
Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I do. Tomorrow camper pick up is at Dr. Freddie Thomas High School at 5:30pm.
Ciao,
Susan
Another fabulous day at the dig site. This morning the tangerine team found a beautifully intact arrowhead that has been dated approximately 5000 years old by our Archaeologist Chief Krumrine. Even the research interns had not found such a nice arrowhead at their field camps. I will wait until Chief Krumrine posts her findings and let her describe the significance of the site.
Another highlight for the past two days has been the fascinating interviews that our campers have conducted across the Geneseo Campus. Our campers have discussed the issue of the dig with the Assistant Provost, Associate VP of Advancement, brilliant scholars, opinionated business people and interesting Alumni.
I posted some of the pictures that have been taken on at the summer camp. I will try to add to them daily as the camp goes on.
One hardship of the camp has been the heat!!! All the campers have water bottles and are encouraged to drink as much as possible all day long. We have tried to adjust our schedules during the afternoon to keep the kids out of the sun. However the afternoon dig class has no choice and just needs to take it easy walking back and forth from the air conditioned classrooms to the hotter than hades dig site. There is a canopy and water once they get to the site but the path down there is pure sun.
Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I do. Tomorrow camper pick up is at Dr. Freddie Thomas High School at 5:30pm.
Ciao,
Susan
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Day 3, July 16, 2008
Parents,
Another better day for our kids and staff. I think we are finally getting into our groove. Our kids were at the dig site, out interviewing people on campus,taking photographs, in the chemistry lab and a few were at the bone lab washing artifacts. Tonight students will be debating between being pro-stadium construction or anti- construction.
Teaching Pedagogy, Chief Delehanty:
Keep up the great work everyone. This is a unique educational experience our students will never forget. Remember, our camp may be difficult for them and THAT'S GOOD. The first time you run a mile, it's hard. The first time you learn on a college campus, it can be tough, especially when you're 13-14 years old. Encourage them best you can, and if they express that an assignment is tough, agree with them, because it's supposed to be. Our kids our the best and we expect the best.
Research and Rhetoric, Chief Harrigan:
I just want to say that I was extremely proud of the work that was done today in the interviews. In those I had the opportunity to observe, interviewers did a fabulous job establishing rapport with each interviewee - they professionally introduced themselves upon arrival and kindly thanked stakeholders for their time and perspective when leaving. Their questions were intelligent, well-organized, and clearly articulated. They also provided evidence of effective impromptu speaking – thinking and speaking “on their feet!” Moreover, the notetakers worked very hard to capture the essences of each interview. As Chief D said, they are the best!
Graphic Documentation, Chief Kirk:
And hello from Chief Kirk/Jo (entry Wed 12.45 pm): division of classes working very smoothly, thank you all! and notwithstanding the relocation of Cedar's photography from the site to a lounge location in Milne Library. All classes, including Cedar, did a review of yesterday's discussion of subject and composition (including distance, angle, light, etc) with reference to photo planning and logging. Students began listing photos they plan to take when at the site, and we also had them practice photo shots and log entries, according to the form provided by Chief Krumrine. (Each pair of subgroups will have one camera and one photo log at the site, latter to record date, photographer, subject/view and photo#). Important concepts/terms include: subject, composition, view (perspective/angle, as well as cardinal directions and distance from marker points), portrait, landscape, macro mode, and notion of graphic documentation of the location, process and findings of the excavation, to use in the closing presentation, museum display and for permanent historical record.
Excavation, Chief Krumrine:
Today was our first true excavation day. The morning thunderstorm during the Tangerine class threw us off a bit, but they seemed okay with looking at the stuff in the arch and bone labs. It's good that they were able to wash their artifacts from Monday- I told them that they could use them in their museum displays. Maybe the other groups can use part of an open lab class to wash theirs (and Tangerine will have to wash the ones they find at the real site)- I really hope we don't get stormed out again. In case I forgot to mention this to one of the groups, we're going to have a contest to name the site. Each team, maybe during headquarters if there's time, can brainstorm names and come up with one choice to represent their team. Once we get the four names (maybe by Friday), we'll have everyone vote, including counselors and faculty, to decide (the students won't be able to vote for their own or their vote is disqualified). We could announce the contest winner during the field trip on Monday. How does that sound?
Chemical Archaeology, Chief Helms:
Another successful lab today. We did soil typing and pH. The kids did very well again and had fun getting their hands dirty!
It's really important that the kids bring their folders and notebooks to lab. Each day we do a variety of worksheets they need to keep and without their folders they are losing their papers. Notebooks are also essential. They need to be taking notes in them to use at the dig site. Today we had them tape a soil typing triangle into their notebooks and those that didn't have them couldn't do it.
We did have a very rowdy group after lunch. I think this was mainly due to the amount of sugar and caffeine the kids are drinking at lunch. One student told me he had 4 cups of hot chocolate at lunch. We really need to watch the kids and limit the amount of sugar and especially caffeine they are drinking.
As a whole we had another great lab day. Nothing got broken today because everything we used was plastic ;)
My best regards to all the RYSAG parents,
Susan
Another better day for our kids and staff. I think we are finally getting into our groove. Our kids were at the dig site, out interviewing people on campus,taking photographs, in the chemistry lab and a few were at the bone lab washing artifacts. Tonight students will be debating between being pro-stadium construction or anti- construction.
Teaching Pedagogy, Chief Delehanty:
Keep up the great work everyone. This is a unique educational experience our students will never forget. Remember, our camp may be difficult for them and THAT'S GOOD. The first time you run a mile, it's hard. The first time you learn on a college campus, it can be tough, especially when you're 13-14 years old. Encourage them best you can, and if they express that an assignment is tough, agree with them, because it's supposed to be. Our kids our the best and we expect the best.
Research and Rhetoric, Chief Harrigan:
I just want to say that I was extremely proud of the work that was done today in the interviews. In those I had the opportunity to observe, interviewers did a fabulous job establishing rapport with each interviewee - they professionally introduced themselves upon arrival and kindly thanked stakeholders for their time and perspective when leaving. Their questions were intelligent, well-organized, and clearly articulated. They also provided evidence of effective impromptu speaking – thinking and speaking “on their feet!” Moreover, the notetakers worked very hard to capture the essences of each interview. As Chief D said, they are the best!
Graphic Documentation, Chief Kirk:
And hello from Chief Kirk/Jo (entry Wed 12.45 pm): division of classes working very smoothly, thank you all! and notwithstanding the relocation of Cedar's photography from the site to a lounge location in Milne Library. All classes, including Cedar, did a review of yesterday's discussion of subject and composition (including distance, angle, light, etc) with reference to photo planning and logging. Students began listing photos they plan to take when at the site, and we also had them practice photo shots and log entries, according to the form provided by Chief Krumrine. (Each pair of subgroups will have one camera and one photo log at the site, latter to record date, photographer, subject/view and photo#). Important concepts/terms include: subject, composition, view (perspective/angle, as well as cardinal directions and distance from marker points), portrait, landscape, macro mode, and notion of graphic documentation of the location, process and findings of the excavation, to use in the closing presentation, museum display and for permanent historical record.
Excavation, Chief Krumrine:
Today was our first true excavation day. The morning thunderstorm during the Tangerine class threw us off a bit, but they seemed okay with looking at the stuff in the arch and bone labs. It's good that they were able to wash their artifacts from Monday- I told them that they could use them in their museum displays. Maybe the other groups can use part of an open lab class to wash theirs (and Tangerine will have to wash the ones they find at the real site)- I really hope we don't get stormed out again. In case I forgot to mention this to one of the groups, we're going to have a contest to name the site. Each team, maybe during headquarters if there's time, can brainstorm names and come up with one choice to represent their team. Once we get the four names (maybe by Friday), we'll have everyone vote, including counselors and faculty, to decide (the students won't be able to vote for their own or their vote is disqualified). We could announce the contest winner during the field trip on Monday. How does that sound?
Chemical Archaeology, Chief Helms:
Another successful lab today. We did soil typing and pH. The kids did very well again and had fun getting their hands dirty!
It's really important that the kids bring their folders and notebooks to lab. Each day we do a variety of worksheets they need to keep and without their folders they are losing their papers. Notebooks are also essential. They need to be taking notes in them to use at the dig site. Today we had them tape a soil typing triangle into their notebooks and those that didn't have them couldn't do it.
We did have a very rowdy group after lunch. I think this was mainly due to the amount of sugar and caffeine the kids are drinking at lunch. One student told me he had 4 cups of hot chocolate at lunch. We really need to watch the kids and limit the amount of sugar and especially caffeine they are drinking.
As a whole we had another great lab day. Nothing got broken today because everything we used was plastic ;)
My best regards to all the RYSAG parents,
Susan
Day 2, July 15th, 2008
Greeting Parents and family members,
Well, we all survived our first day! The kids are getting used to each other, the staff and the campus--- They have quite a lot of orientation information to integrate as well as all the content they are learning at the dig site, in chemistry lab, photography and research class. Please congratulate them on their efforts and for enduring the emotional hardships of being away from you and the other comforts of home.
Here are some exerpts from our faculty and staff from Day 2:
Hey guys. Overall I think we had GREAT improvement today! The morning I feel was quite rough but as the day went on it got better. I just would like to give a shout out to Dani in GN&D. Although UPS (chocolate team) had trouble with being good listeners I think she did an awesome job with the class and teaching them!!! Thanks Dani!
I also just wanted to add, although its under recreation. I think if the teams have come up with a team name everyone should do their best to start using them. So to help in the effort, Chocolate's team name is UPS (United People for the Seneca) and the cedar's team name is Red Jackets. If tangerine and green have come up with teams names please let us know so we can refer to our students by their team names.
So Today's G&ND class went really well, I think the kids are excited to start expanding their graphic documentation for the dig. What we did today was to explore the reason for keeping graphic and numeric documentation; whether for this investigation, for historical records, or for the museum display.
We discussed the purpose of our photos or the subject. Each class came up with similar suggestions which include artifacts and position, process of excavation, location and landscape, and interviewees. This is important for filing management and keeping order to each team's photos. Then we discussed the HOW or composition. We want to "fill the frame" through either landscapes, portraits, or macro photography. Also, when capturing each picture we had to discuss lighting issues when outside, when to use the flash, and possible shadows when interviewing inside.
We had the most fun during each class when we were able to get the cameras out and explore. We HIGHLY STRESSED the appropriate care that these cameras should be given, so other counselors please help to see that the children do so.
Photography, Chief Kirk:
I would like to also give a shout to the three teams who suffered technological problems in Milne 109 yesterday - not only did the camera batteries run out, but laptop batteries also. The three teams reacted professionally, I thought, particularly cedar.
Research and Rhetoric, R&R, Chief Hoffman:
I was really impressed with all the kids in R&R today. Despite having a rough time with the scavenger hunt last night, they really did well recapping on the historical facts.
Chemical Archaeology, Chief Helm:
Lab today basically introduced the kids to lab safety and lab technique. They seemed really interested and worked extremely carefully, followed instructions, were respectful to Cheif Helms and the other technicians, and completed all assigned tasks. It was really a pleasure working with each group today. :)
We did have a couple incidents of glassware getting broken. I think to avoid this we really have to encourage kids to be aware of the equipment around them and make sure they aren't horsing around. Some students would spin in their chairs, roll them around, and adjust them up and down. It was not a major issue but if anyone sees this in the future please ask them to stop.
Everyone needs to be wearing goggles at all times! This is definitely something to correct if you see someone not wearing them.
All for now...
Ciao,
Susan
Well, we all survived our first day! The kids are getting used to each other, the staff and the campus--- They have quite a lot of orientation information to integrate as well as all the content they are learning at the dig site, in chemistry lab, photography and research class. Please congratulate them on their efforts and for enduring the emotional hardships of being away from you and the other comforts of home.
Here are some exerpts from our faculty and staff from Day 2:
Hey guys. Overall I think we had GREAT improvement today! The morning I feel was quite rough but as the day went on it got better. I just would like to give a shout out to Dani in GN&D. Although UPS (chocolate team) had trouble with being good listeners I think she did an awesome job with the class and teaching them!!! Thanks Dani!
I also just wanted to add, although its under recreation. I think if the teams have come up with a team name everyone should do their best to start using them. So to help in the effort, Chocolate's team name is UPS (United People for the Seneca) and the cedar's team name is Red Jackets. If tangerine and green have come up with teams names please let us know so we can refer to our students by their team names.
So Today's G&ND class went really well, I think the kids are excited to start expanding their graphic documentation for the dig. What we did today was to explore the reason for keeping graphic and numeric documentation; whether for this investigation, for historical records, or for the museum display.
We discussed the purpose of our photos or the subject. Each class came up with similar suggestions which include artifacts and position, process of excavation, location and landscape, and interviewees. This is important for filing management and keeping order to each team's photos. Then we discussed the HOW or composition. We want to "fill the frame" through either landscapes, portraits, or macro photography. Also, when capturing each picture we had to discuss lighting issues when outside, when to use the flash, and possible shadows when interviewing inside.
We had the most fun during each class when we were able to get the cameras out and explore. We HIGHLY STRESSED the appropriate care that these cameras should be given, so other counselors please help to see that the children do so.
Photography, Chief Kirk:
I would like to also give a shout to the three teams who suffered technological problems in Milne 109 yesterday - not only did the camera batteries run out, but laptop batteries also. The three teams reacted professionally, I thought, particularly cedar.
Research and Rhetoric, R&R, Chief Hoffman:
I was really impressed with all the kids in R&R today. Despite having a rough time with the scavenger hunt last night, they really did well recapping on the historical facts.
Chemical Archaeology, Chief Helm:
Lab today basically introduced the kids to lab safety and lab technique. They seemed really interested and worked extremely carefully, followed instructions, were respectful to Cheif Helms and the other technicians, and completed all assigned tasks. It was really a pleasure working with each group today. :)
We did have a couple incidents of glassware getting broken. I think to avoid this we really have to encourage kids to be aware of the equipment around them and make sure they aren't horsing around. Some students would spin in their chairs, roll them around, and adjust them up and down. It was not a major issue but if anyone sees this in the future please ask them to stop.
Everyone needs to be wearing goggles at all times! This is definitely something to correct if you see someone not wearing them.
All for now...
Ciao,
Susan
Day 1
Sorry for the delay with the Parents Blog but we finally got it up and running. I will be reporting out to you some of the highlights of the camp from the Professors, residence staff, counselors and myself.
Day 1, July 14th, 2008
Excavation Class, Chief Krumrine:
Well, we actually had our first excavation day, with the simulated dig.
It seemed to go well (although the counselors may not necessarily agree
since it was a little chaotic, esp at first). As I told the students,
the actual site is much nicer- we'll have shade, a lovely environment
(as opposed to dumpsters) and really nice soil for digging. We'll also
have MUCH smaller groups which will make it easier for everyone
involved, including plenty of equipment.
I thought that most of the students were excited about digging and
finding things. Some students weren't that interested, but that's pretty
typical with this age group What I wanted them to gain from their
experience today was to get a feel for how to excavate and screen for
artifacts and why those methods are important (incl. respecting walls,
not pulling artifacts out of walls or floors, digging across as they're
digging down, screening for small artifacts that would be missed with
troweling, recognizing artifacts). Since we were working in
unprovenienced backdirt piles, we didn't keep records and keep track of
depth, etc. We kept track of groups on the artifact bags so that if we
have a rain day the students can wash their own artifacts- that's always
fun to see everything cleaned up!
Chemical Archaeology Class, Chief Helms:
Lab today basically introduced the kids to lab safety and lab technique.
They seemed really interested and worked extremely carefully, followed
instructions, were respectful to Chief Helms and the other technicians,
and completed all assigned tasks. It was really a pleasure working with
each group today. :)
Residence Life, Chief Norman:
Our camp is going well. The first day was a bit crazy, we had classes
until 8:45pm and then when the kids went back to the dorm they had a
fire drill at 9:45pm. Hopefully today will be less academically
concentrated and they will have more social fun time. Tonight a Native
American Story Teller is talking to the kids and they will get hints on
how to tell their own interesting stories. The dining hall experience
has been great, the students are eating to their fullest!
That's about all for now.
Day 1, July 14th, 2008
Excavation Class, Chief Krumrine:
Well, we actually had our first excavation day, with the simulated dig.
It seemed to go well (although the counselors may not necessarily agree
since it was a little chaotic, esp at first). As I told the students,
the actual site is much nicer- we'll have shade, a lovely environment
(as opposed to dumpsters) and really nice soil for digging. We'll also
have MUCH smaller groups which will make it easier for everyone
involved, including plenty of equipment.
I thought that most of the students were excited about digging and
finding things. Some students weren't that interested, but that's pretty
typical with this age group What I wanted them to gain from their
experience today was to get a feel for how to excavate and screen for
artifacts and why those methods are important (incl. respecting walls,
not pulling artifacts out of walls or floors, digging across as they're
digging down, screening for small artifacts that would be missed with
troweling, recognizing artifacts). Since we were working in
unprovenienced backdirt piles, we didn't keep records and keep track of
depth, etc. We kept track of groups on the artifact bags so that if we
have a rain day the students can wash their own artifacts- that's always
fun to see everything cleaned up!
Chemical Archaeology Class, Chief Helms:
Lab today basically introduced the kids to lab safety and lab technique.
They seemed really interested and worked extremely carefully, followed
instructions, were respectful to Chief Helms and the other technicians,
and completed all assigned tasks. It was really a pleasure working with
each group today. :)
Residence Life, Chief Norman:
Our camp is going well. The first day was a bit crazy, we had classes
until 8:45pm and then when the kids went back to the dorm they had a
fire drill at 9:45pm. Hopefully today will be less academically
concentrated and they will have more social fun time. Tonight a Native
American Story Teller is talking to the kids and they will get hints on
how to tell their own interesting stories. The dining hall experience
has been great, the students are eating to their fullest!
That's about all for now.
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