Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Blog #1: Welcome to Kroka

2016 Vermont Semester Students at Grafton Ponds XC Ski Center


We are all stumbling through the dark,
–tumbling through the tidal wave of change together
But we are all lost together.

And it is in that abyss of the unknown, that we find ourselves.

-Savannah Clancy


My name is Caleb Kennedy and it is my honor to introduce myself as the scribe for the first half of the 2016 Vermont Semester program. In the weeks and months to come, it is my duty (and Big Job) to document and share the adventures of the 13 semester students.
Over this past week, it has been incredible to see the growth of our community, and how close we are already becoming. I feel like I have known the other students for so much longer than a week. In truth, I have only scratched the tip of the iceberg.
On Thursday, each semester student was given a Big Job to carry through the first half of our journey. These jobs are crucial to the preparation and execution of our trip.

The students of the 2016 Vermont Semester and their big jobs are as follows:
  
Name
Origin
Big Job
Finn Anderson
Guilford, CT
Water and kitchen manager
Bea Bittenbender
Alstead, NH
Expedition day food manager
Tanner Bogner
Pelham, NH
Ski and bike mechanic
Savannah Clancy
Los Altos, CA
Medic and hygienist
Sebi Crocetti
Bremen, ME
Camp manager
Claudia Danford
Montague, MA
Energy manager
Caleb Kennedy
Amherst, MA
Scribe and vehicle manager
Julian Lindholm Fiske
Penobscot, ME
Navigator
Adam Mekki
Coopersburg, PA
Expedition meals manager
Kendal Pittman
Leveret, MA
Bureaucrat
Sam Trowbridge
Brooksville, ME
Sewing manager
Rory Wade
Santa Rosa, CA
Tool and Farm Manager
Hailey White
Charlotte, VT
Basecamp food manager


Notable Events of Last Week

Tuesday (the first full day of semester):  We went for a little ski trip along the frozen Grassy Brook which winds its way behind the Kroka Basecamp. Led by Misha, this was a new experience to everyone, and was enjoyed by all. This was the first time a semester team has done this ski on the first day, it usually takes place after at least a week of local ski practice.

Wednesday to Saturday Afternoons: We learned and practiced skate and classic cross-country skiing at Grafton Ponds Outdoor Center.

Sunday morning: We slept late (8AM) and ate a delicious pancake breakfast.

Monday night: We attended New England’s longest running contra dance in Nelson, NH.


Here is a little peak into our day:

           We wake up, tucked away in our sleeping bags, to the sound of a gentle voice, telling us it is morning. We slip on our layers of clothes and push open the little door of our hobbit homes. It is still dark outside and the bitter cold nips our faces. It is a tired, slow walk over to the yurt. Once inside, it is warm and we are greeted by our peers. Not many words are exchanged, but everyone drinks a steaming cup of tea, and has a little bit to eat, to sustain us through the cold morning. We then part ways to do chores. Some may hear the rooster’s crow as the sun creeps above the trees. Others may hear the dull thud of the splitting axe strike the chopping block. A feeling of peace and harmony washes over the students as they work alongside their classmates and friends, to accomplish their greater goal together. 

Weather observations: When we arrived, the temperatures were below freezing and the snow was firm and powdery providing a nice base for skiing. Over the week the snow has compressed and temperatures have risen, making the snow wet and slushy. Today, we even saw a few drops of rain. We long for snow!

We watch the fire
It will keep us warm tonight
It burns so brightly

-Bea Bittenbender

  
Hannah Billian, VT Semester Coordinator, works with Adam and Bea during Big Job introductions

Kendal, Mathias and Savannah on the first day of semester 


Hanah and Hailey look at the expedition menu while Caleb learns photography in the background

Tanner checks his break cables for the bike expedition in spring

Sebi and Misha find treasures in the trash

Rory works with Lynne on the farm on a chilly day

Caleb checks the oil of the Kroka van with Linda

Lisl teaches Sam about the sewing machine

Ezra teaches Claudia how to keep the sewing room and bike shop warm for students

Julian looks over the maps for skiing the length of Vermont!