Introduction: Students writing this story about some of their adventures at Scout Island work under the direction of Martin Kruus, School District 27’s elementary level home school teacher/co-ordinator.
Kruus notes the story is fictional. The photographs were also taken by student Isaac Shoults during a December visit to the Nature House at Scout Island.
The students visit the nature centre biweekly for lessons.
SD27 Distance
Education students
At Scout Island Nature Centre, early one morning:
Sue Hemphill (Nature Center leader/coordinator/teacher): Good Morning Phin!
Phin (fish in aquarium): Glub, glub, glub. (How are you?)
Sue: Well … it’s Tuesday again. That means those ludicrous children are coming again.
Phin: You sound anxious. You mean the ones who always tap the glass on my tank?
Sue: Exactly, those curious home-schoolers who try to bring a no-garbage lunch.
We’re studying rodents and winter adaptations today and I better get ready because they always ask soooo many questions!
Phin: Oh, so it is those brats. Does that mean that they’re feeding me today?
Sue: Yes, you and all your other little friends. I wonder if we need to dig up some worms….
Phin: So, how do you tolerate all those questions?
Sue: Well, some of them are actually quite insightful.
And we do have some good old-fashioned fun.
Phin: Now you sound less cynical. By the way, I’ve always wondered … what do you guys do after lunch outside anyway?
Sue: Oh, we do some hikes, check out plant and animal life on the island, and play games.
Phin: Swimming games?! Like Fishy in the Middle!? Can I play!?
Sue: No, no these are land-based observation and tracking games, like Eagle Eye or Fox and Goose.
Phin: Maybe I should lose the gills and grow some legs like that pollywog next door.
Sue: I’ve got to go, here come the dirty dozen with their smiles on … talk to you later
Phin: Hey Sue, will you make sure they don’t unplug my air pump?!