A view from the South Carolina side.

A view from the Georgia side of the dam

The record rainfall of 2013 provided a wonderful opportunity in experiential learning last week as the CCBS boys got an opportunity to watch water management in an exciting form. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Hartwell Dam was opened and excess water was released through the spillway gates. Prior to that point, the Lake Hartwell reservoir had reached maximum flood storage capacity, which fishermen and boaters have enjoyed recently since the lake has not been considered “full” since 1994. Enjoy the pictures above and click to see a YouTube video of the event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrQ-lFlZfUA

Mark Warren, naturalist, composer, writer and Director of Medicine Bow, A Primitive School of Earthlore in the North Georgia Mountains, recently visited Cherokee Creek Boys School. He shared stories and artifacts as well as taught the boys to make cordage and make fire from sticks.

Below are pictures from his visit.

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Memorial Day was a day to remember the sacrifices of those who served in our Armed Forces to ensure we all enjoy the freedoms we have as Americans. It’s also the kickoff to summer, and a great day to swim, enjoy a little beach volleyball, and cook out.

Some of our boys had visits with their families, but for those on campus it was a chance to break free from the classrooms with the teachers. Please enjoy this mini album of photos from the days events. And of course,  Happy Summer to All!

Sand Between our Toes

Loucas, Angel and Andrew hang out

Swimming and Hanging on the Mini Dock

Sam munches and guards

Bears Beach Volleyball

Andrew and Sam make sure there are burgers for all

Its that time of year again! Every year at Thanksgiving Cherokee Creek Boys School pit-roasts our turkeys for our Thanksgiving feast. It is an honor to be selected for Team Turkey. This year’s crew (pictured above) includes (from left): Sam, Cole, Teacher Nick Linscott, Jimmy, Operations Director Phil Fairbrother, Dain, Michael, and Barron. The team’s responsibilities include staying up until the wee hours tending the roasting coals.

William, Sandy, and Barbara look on as Phil prepares the Turkeys

But first, the turkeys are seasoned and wrapped in foil (several times).

Phil, Cole, Dain, and Barron scope out the pit

Then the boys clear the area of leaves and debris before digging a HUGE pit.

Next, the boys and staff will create a bonfire in the pit, which will be nursed through the night until there is a well established bed of coals. Then the turkeys will be placed on the coals and burried.

Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow…

As we get our fall calendars organized, we have a lot to look forward to! Over the week of October 30th to November 4th we have our next Family Trek, our First Boundaries Boot-Camp and the November Family Seminar – complete with an early Thanksgiving celebration. Whew! Check out the additional info. below:

Fall 2011 Family Trek Details & Boundaries Boot-Camp Details

But wait…there’s more! The 2011 Cherokee Creek Bears soccer schedule is here. See a game you can make? Please contact Alyse or your son’s primary for more details on each game.

Thursday, September 8th at 7:30 PM
Monday, September 12th at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, September 13th at 7:00 PM
Thursday, September 15th at 7:00 PM
Thursday, September 22nd at 7:30 PM
Monday, September 26th at 7:30 PM
Tuesday, September 27th at 7:00 PM
Monday, October 3rd at 6:00 PM
Thursday, October 6th at 7:30 PM

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon.
Go BEARS!

Last year we were given an incredible gift by an alumni family: 8 fully outfitted whitewater canoes! These are top of the line tandem “Captions”. Often, boys arrive at Cherokee Creek having canoed at summer camp or in a local waterway – in flatwater boats. Whitewater boats take a little getting used to. They are different in a couple of critical ways: they have less surface contact with the water; and they are designed to turn on a dime.

As we teach boys to become whitewater boaters, we start with “boat feel” – getting used to how to sit comfortably and move with the boat instead of working against it. A paddler who stays relaxed and moved with the boat is far less likely to find himself on the “swim team.”

Check out the video below of Sam and Dylan on Lake Hartwell. As they paddle into the sunset they are relaxed, have good momentum and paying attention to the distict feel of a whitewater canoe.

Moving water is next! Stay tuned…

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We had so much fun on Valentine’s Day! Jane Barker, Manager of Clinical Services, organized a “Bears Bash” complete with Basketball, Football, Dodgeball, Card Games, Tug of War and, of course, Valentine’s goodies for everyone (including the two new students who enrolled this week). We finished off the day with Chic-Fil-A and cupcakes. Check out the photos below.

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Scott and Devon prepare to cross the bridge

With glad hearts we celebrated the graduation of Scott and Devon this past Friday.

Students and staff recognized both boys’ growth in truth, love, wisdom and courage – but especially Scott’s strength of heart and Devon’s perseverance. Both boys were also recognized for their friendship and mentorship to others.

We will miss both of these fine young men, their large hearts and leadership. Congratulations!! We look forward to hearing how your journey continues.

The 2010 Turkey Team: (from left) Adrian, Calvin, Jon, Ben, Drew, Daniel and Teacher Nick Linscott

Announcing this year’s Turkey Team: Adrian, Calvin, Jon, Ben, Drew and Daniel. These boys will work with staff members Phil Fairbrother and Nick Linscott to pit roast 5 turkeys for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving Day feast. It is an honor to be selected for this responsibility – and a lot of hard work. Check out their itinerary below:

• Wednesday afternoon the team will work with Academic Lead Nick Linscott to prepare the area for fire safety. They will then dig a large pit and lay a fire ready to be started in the middle of the night.
• In the wee hours of the night (around 12:00 AM Thanksgiving morning) Operations Director Phil Fairbrother will come in and wake the team. Together they will start the fire and fuel it with a lot of wood for the next 4 hours.
• At 5:00 AM the foil-wrapped turkeys will be placed in the pit of coals and covered with dirt where they will roast for 5-6 hours.
• Tomorrow morning Nick and the boys will gently unearth the birds and take them to the kitchen where they will perform their final task of preparing the meat for serving.

Stay tuned for more Turkey Team details and some photos from their all-night experience.

Students clean one of the Earl's Ford campsites before launching for some canoe drills.

What a great fall weekend full of great outdoor treats! Students and staff took full advatage of our volunteer agreement with the Forest Service. The boys headed to Earl’s Ford for a service project on both Saturday and Sunday. After cleaning up campsites and the river bank, our tricksters took some time to practice their whitewater canoeing and fly fishing skills where Warwoman Creek meets the Chattooga River.  

To celebrate Halloween staff and students gathered around the fire for S’mores on Saturday night. What a great sweet treat!