This blog was written by Monica DeGarmo and her team, Elisa Limon, Gustavo Navarro, B.O.A.T., and Detroit Outdoors.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “It takes a village.” This sentiment could not be more true when it comes to pulling off overnight student camping trips! In April, 20 high school students from Academy of the Americas, a bilingual Spanish-immersion PreK–12 school in southwest Detroit, adventured on a 4-day, 3-night excursion to Sault Ste. Marie and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Our fearless trip guides were David Shapiro from Bus for Outdoor Access & Teaching (B.O.A.T.) and Isaac Piepszowski from Detroit Outdoors. Their preparation of food, equipment, navigation, and group norms centered on positive inclusivity made for a seamless and meaningful experience.
The location and themes of our trip were inspired by Angeline Boulley’s award-winning novel, Firekeeper’s Daughter, an incredible coming-of-age story interwoven with the histories and lived experiences of people in the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the surrounding area. Several students, chaperones, and David and Isaac read Firekeeper’s Daughter. Copies of the book were sprinkled throughout the seats while a handful of participants listened in on the audiobook: Isaac, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was gracious enough to lead our students in a morning smudging ritual on the beach of Bay Mills at Brimley State Park (our first camping site). Isaac led us in forming a circle and silently offering gratitude, or “miigwech,” for the land and people who came before us. This beautiful ceremony is practiced throughout Boulley’s novel, and it is a humbling gift for our group to experience it with Isaac.
After our first night of camping, we were met with exceptional hospitality at Lake Superior State University (another important site in Boulley’s novel). We toured chemistry and engineering labs and watched a robotics light-saber show programmed by LSSU seniors. At LSSU’s Center for Freshwater Research and Education, our participation in “Salmon in the Classroom” in Detroit came full circle as CFRE students led our high schoolers in dissecting Atlantic Salmon (how cool!). Our final book-inspired stop was taking the short ferry ride to Sugar Island and watching the massive freighters go by. It was awesome to see these massive vessels make their way down the St. Mary’s River. And while Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is not technically in Firekeeper’s Daughter, it made for a wonderful grand finale.
For every student in our group, this was their first time experiencing the dunes, which was magical. Our last night of camping near Glen Arbor was breathtakingly beautiful (and early enough in the season that there were no mosquitoes!). Following our trip, two students, Rafael Moreno Bareto and Marisol Garcia, presented for our partners from the National Wildlife Federation. When asked what was their favorite part, Marisol shared, “Honestly, it was so nice to see more of Michigan. This place where I live. I haven’t been too far outside of metro Detroit.” Rafael, a native Spanish speaking student, “Cuando visitamos las colinas de los osos durmientes por que fue el lugar más hermoso que he visto en mi vida” or “When we visited Sleeping Bear Dunes, it was the most beautiful place I have visited in my life.” Rafael was one of ten students in our group who was learning to speak English.
It was remarkable to see how students, chaperones, and guides adapted and supported each other despite language barriers. All of us came away with more knowledge of our non-native language. Micah Leinbach, Founder and Director of B.O.A.T., has also been an incredible advocate and thought partner in welcoming and supporting our ESL students to participate in these kinds of outdoor excursions, which research shows especially benefit students learning a new language. These experiences stay with you for years to come, and they wouldn’t be possible without the support of resources like MAEOE’s Grant Program. We are also grateful to have the support of the BOSCH Best Teacher Grant, the National Wildlife Federation, Bridgepointe, and the National Parks Foundation.
*Academy of the Americas is part of Detroit Public Schools Community District and offers a unique Dual-Language Spanish immersion program in PreK–12th grades. Located in the heart of southwest Detroit, the school is affectionately known as “AOA” and serves over 1,000 youth across metro Detroit.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this blog do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Michigan Humanities.