7th Grade Tree Climbing Adventure

by Meg Gardner and Students

As we entered our seventh grade study of perspective drawing, I yearned to awaken in the students a new perspective on their world.  How could they see their everyday world with fresh eyes?  My answer came in the form of an endangered 90-foot tall ash tree.   We would let them leave the ground and soar above their normal world for a day.  Nicole Olalla and Tree Climbing Colorado took our crew of twenty-seven students high into the canopy of a tree in Thompson Park in Longmont.  With the assistance of ropes, harnesses and helmets, each student climbed their way into the tree, swinging, and turning upside down, finding both trust and freedom in the arms of this great tree.  

tree-climbing2“As I gently lift myself off the ground for the first time, I feel the strength of the tree holding me with its sturdy branches.  Pulling myself higher and higher into this new world of the tree, I am without any of the distractions from our world below.  I watch and see children playing, people working, and houses standing absolutely still.  I wonder to myself how we go around without taking time to look at our wonderful world.”

–Fiona

tree-clmbing1

“The moment my feet left the ground, I was happy, as light as air.  The sunlight streamed through the branches.  I wished I could be up there forever.  “

–Sofia

tree-climbing3“When I was climbing in the Ash tree, it felt like I was hanging in space.  My life depended on the tree.  At first it was hard to go upside down, but after awhile I began to lose my sense of groundedness.  It felt so open up in the air hanging upside-down.”

-August

 

tree-climbing4“It was a beautiful day with the sun high in the sky and a slight breeze drifting through the leaves of the tree.  I liked the feeling of almost flying.  It felt very peaceful being so high up in the tree.  It was also fun flipping upside-down.  This was a very fun and magical experience for me.  It was amazing how big this Ash tree had grown.  It was a privilege for us to be able to do this.  “

-Olivia

tree-climbing7“Suddenly there I was about to go up into a tall Ash tree.  Excitement was flowing through me.  Even though I was scared of heights, this would be an experience of a lifetime.  I was in the first group to go and I was not scared about it.  As soon as I got harnessed and was attached to the rope, I knew it was time to get over being scared of heights.  I began to climb up the rope and every so often I would flip and go upside down.  It was the best feeling ever. “

-Maya

 tree-climbing6“As my feet rose from the ground, I felt as if in another kingdom.  Being that high up, I felt like a different person—like a giant.  I could watch little kids running around in the park and my classmates talking with one another.  Looking at the ground slowly rising, I felt as if I were a cloud watching the earth.”

–Nicholas