[Gallery not found]There is a word that I don’t allow my students to use when they are describing something – that word is awesome.  Awesome, however, is the only way to describe the 2012 Iditarod Summer Camp for Teachers.  Now that most of us are back in our own time zones, it is a great time to reflect on all that we learned and experienced.

 Between the Kennel, the speakers, the sharing time, and the sights, teachers came away from camp invigorated about using the Iditarod as a teaching tool.  It was my first experience with the Summer Camp and I was thoroughly impressed.  We all use the Iditarod in some respect in our classrooms and we learned tips to enhance our teaching.  Along with the Iditarod, we also learned about Alaska history and its rich cultural background.

 Something I never thought I’d experience is the thrill of standing on a glacier.  I think I speak for the entire group that we had an overwhelming feeling of awe and appreciation of the cycle of earth’s formation.

20 (27 if you include staff) teachers came together at Iditarod Headquarters on June 24 as strangers, and left as good friends. Awesome.