We will keep your child until 3:00 if you can not get to school by 2:00.

Heading home and ETA

We should arrive back at Hammond about 2:00pm. We have had a fabulous trip and can't wait to share all our experiences and memories. Look at all the sleepy students on the buses!

A Great End to Day Two

Mr. Mancke telling the students a story. What a great way to end the day! We wish he could tell us s'more stories all night long!

Surprise Guest

Look who joined our afternoon meeting! Do you think he is a Cherokee or Pioneer?

Pioneers to Cherokee Village

It seems like our Pioneers are beginning to understand life as a Cherokee.  Our morning was filled with hard work and fun while experiencing empathy for others who are different from us. This afternoon we will come together as Pioneers and Cherokees to learn a bit more about what it's like to live together cooperatively. 

Day 2 with the Cherokee Children

After the decision at the Council Meeting to vote off one of the groups, we decided to switch places to figure out who would have to leave. Today the Cherokee children are learning about the Pioneer way of life. We are making candles, preparing lunch, feeding the animals, spinning the wool and black smithing.

Council Meeting Decision

After over an hour of heated debate a decision has been reached.  Tomorrow, after a hearty breakfast the Pioneer children will work in the Cherokee Village.  In turn the Cherokee children will learn from the Pioneer elders.  In order to gain an understanding and respect of each others ways we hope to learn the importance of appreciating and respecting each other's differences.  Until tomorrow...

Make sure to check out the Hammond Facebook page for pictures of our first day in the Cherokee and Pioneer Villages!

Click here for the Hammond Facebook Page!

Greetings from the Cherokee Village!

What a hard working bunch the Cherokee children happen to be! We spent our day throwing a tomahawk, making pottery, cutting vegetables, grinding corn, and gutting fish. After some careful reflection we each discovered our Cherokee names. For dinner we feasted on rainbow trout, beans, corn, grits, mashed potatoes and flat bread. Miss Mabel from the pioneer village traded apple muffins for beads. The muffins were delicious. We can't wait till tomorrow!

The Council Meeting Begins

The evening council has begun!  Each pioneer and Cherokee has to defend their stance on who is allowed to stay on the land.  Easy to have an opinion; challenging to support!!  What will be the outcome?

Greetings from the Pioneer Village!

What a fun first day we pioneers are having!  Our bellies are full of possum chili, our minds are swimming with all sorts of interesting facts, and we got to spend the entire afternoon in the village learning from a master blacksmith, cooking our dinner and learning how to spin wool into yarn!  We have already worked awfully hard today and can't imagine what the rest of the evening has in store for us!  

Beautiful Day in the North Carolina mountains!

A beautiful day in the North Carolina mountains!!!  Happy and safe arrival.

We are thrilled to be just hours away from the wonderful experience of Earthshine!  Memories and new adventures await.  We will see you bright and early.

Less than 24 hours and we will be on our way to the 1840's!!  Check over the list and make sure you are ready!!

• Arrive at school by 6:45 AM.  We will leave at 7:00 AM
• Pack your rain gear!
• Pillow and sleeping bag
• Large garbage bag for dirty/wet clothes (write your name with a sharpie on it)
• Towels & Toiletries
• No snacks/no electronics
• Bring a book/cards/word games, etc.
• $20 for the gift shop (in a Ziploc with your NAME)
• CAN YOU CARRY ALL YOUR GEAR UP THE HILL?!?!

Weather Forecast for Earthshine

Wednesday High 73 Low 55 30% chance of rain (thunderstorms)
Thursday High 69 Low 55 20% chance of rain
Friday High 62 Low 40 60% chance of rain

The Earthshine blog is up and running!  Be sure to check this blog on a regular basis to see important notifications for our upcoming trip.  Follow our adventures at Earthshine!

Earthshine 2013