Wilderness First Aid July 5 — Lillie was Leader of the Day. We had to be out by 8:00 because we had three miles to walk and had to make it to our pick-up site by 12. We have so much food. We divied it up when we got to the other trailhead. Anyway, we started off the day with like 40 pounds and we were back up to 50 or 55. Ew. But we only had a mile and a half. All uphill, but not at all steep. Boy Scouts took off down the trail before we did, but we passed them because we're so hardcore! When we got to Rattle River, we set up our tents and checked out the water hole. The water was probably like 33 degrees. I'm pretty sure I saw ice chunks. After dinner, I went to the port-a-potty thing. And, I didn't even die!
July 6 — It still feels like March. Ugh. I want July weather! It started off bright and sunny out, but it clouded over. Brad gave us booklets on Wilderness First Aid. We learned primary and secondary stuff. Primary was like breathing and pulse. Secondary was feeling people to find out where they were hurt and moving them. We ate lunch in between. We stopped at 5. It was kind of fun because we did scenarios. When we did the secondary part, where you feel all over someone, I laughed so much because I'm so ticklish. I was supposed to be unconscious, but I couldn't help laughing and squirming.
After breakfast, Scott came up with this brilliant idea that we should go up to the boys' camp site and talk to them about washing dishes and Leave No Trace. Two boys came down and told us that they were ready for us to come up. We brought our dishes with us. Scott and Liz hung back for us to take over. We gathered the boys (there were 12, all about 12 years old) and had them count off. There were two of us for three of them. Each group discussed Leave No Trace, specifically focusing on washing dishes. Me and Jane talked to three of them. Jane did most of the Leave No Trace info. We really tried to keep them interested and I felt like it really worked for the most part. After that, we put them back into a large group and showed them how to wash dishes, incorporating them all. They all washed their own bowl and spoon and each took a turn washing their big pot. One boy at first said that washing dishes is for girls. That pissed us all off, so he was the first to learn how to wash his bowl. They thanked us. I left feeling like I really made a difference. That is why I so want to be a teacher.
July 7 — We've been together for one full week. I'm going to miss everyone when this is over, but I'll be glad to see my friends and family. I won't miss these bugs, though. We reviewed what we did yesterday and then learned how to make a splint for various body parts. It got warmer, so I put on shorts and a T-shirt. I'm really enjoying shorts, even if my legs are hairy. It doesn't really bother me. Once class ended [today], I dipped my head in water in an effort to clean it. I don't really care if my body is dirty, but having my hair dirty really bothers me. Of course, I couldn't use shampoo since I was in the river. I couldn't feel my feet because the water's freezing, but that's okay. For dinner we had rice with raisins, apricots, and tomatoes. I worked my way around the tomatoes. If I had been at home, I wouldn't have eaten it. But since I was hungry and had no other options, I ate it. It was tolerable.
July 8 — After lunch we finished talking about hypothermia and heat stroke. Then we took our test. I only got three wrong! Hee hee. But that's passing. 85 percent! We're all certified at Wilderness First Aid now!
I can't believe we're going canoeing tomorrow. Eh. Canoeing is the part that I was looking forward to the least. But we get to get mail tomorrow! I want mail so bad. But I really doubt Mom sent me anything. We discussed our Transition Day tomorrow. It's gonna be chaos! Ugh. At our Snarfel we just discussed our faves [favorites] and not so faves of the past three days. I really enjoyed lounging and teaching those boys. I so want to be a teacher when I grow up. I'm also really glad to know the WFA stuff. I now know I have no desire to go into the medical field. [Later in the day, we got] letters! I really didn't think Mom sent me anything, so I was really sad. But she did! I am so happy! She also sent pics of Guppy. I miss Guppy. I would love to send Mom a letter. Just to let her know I am still alive.
