Sixth graders from Plains Elementary School were given a chance to get out of the classroom and into the wild during the annual campout at the Bend Ranger Station from Wednesday through Thursday.

Students spent Tuesday learning about the environment, riding horses, taking scientific samples from a nearby stream and learning how to build a fire the old fashioned way. Using primitive tools such as rocks and flint, students learned first what materials to gather in order to start a fire.

As parents and teachers looked on, the sixth graders fanned out into the nearby woods to gather moss and other dry materials before returning to the outdoor classroom near the fire pit and cabin.

Students under the watchful eye of teacher Lisa Brown and instructor Jean Nemeth, wrapped strands of dry moss around bundles of straw and placed them on the ground. Next using only hard rocks and flints, they struck the tool across the stones over the bundles of moss and straw, attempting to drop sparks and ignite a fire.

After a few minutes of dropping sparks onto their bundles of kindling, most were successful in starting a small fire. As smoke began to billow from the straw, students would pick them up off the ground and gently blow air until smoke turned to fire.

While one group was learning how to make fire, another group was learning how to knock a classmate off a log with a pillow. Happily pummeling each other with pillows, students engaged in a contest known as “tweezli-wop” which involves donning a blindfold, sitting across from a classmate and swinging a pillow at the opponent and knocking them off onto a soft bed of hay.

Surrounded by a cheering crowd of their peers, students grasped the log with their legs and hung on before pillows began to fly. A few different techniques were employed including leaning back and letting the opponent fling themselves off the log or just swinging the pillow wildly in hopes of connecting with the challenger.

Students had the chance to camp out over night before returning to Plains on Thursday. According to Brown, the campout is a cross-curricular outdoor laboratory that allows students to study a variety of subjects in a fun setting.

“It was a wonderful experience. The kids learned a lot and had a good time,” said Brown.