As the light returns to our jewel by the strait, let’s shine that light on one of Port Townsend’s many blessings, our school system. Earlier this month, 68 fifth graders from Salish Coast Elementary School traveled to Islandwood [islandwood.org], a 255-acre environmental education nonprofit on Bainbridge Island. Together with students from Seattle’s Rising Star Academy, they participated in a three-day immersive retreat designed to “deepen their understanding of the world around them… and see the power they have to make a positive impact on their communities and the planet.”

Lifelong PT resident Korina Maher served as one of 17 adult chaperones on the program. “It was a really magical experience,” she reports. “During our immersion in land stewardship, the kids got to hike all over during pouring rain. They learned how the tannins in leaves change the color of the water. Every little thing we did revealed something new. We heard stories about being water protectors and how water is a part of us. We also had friendship circles, song, and dance every morning around the fire pit before going off with our instructors to explore the eco-cycle of life.”

Tess Gallegos, Salish Coast’s Dean of Students, has joined the students, chaperones, and several fifth-grade teachers for all three annual retreats. “It’s a great way to increase bonding while doing outdoor education,” she said. “The kids share lodge time with each other in beautiful facilities. They eat family style with 10 kids and an adult as they track what they can compost from their meal and learn how to make a smaller impact on the planet.

“I’m often surprised at how many students haven’t experienced our area. There are so many things the kids take away with them. There’s something for everyone. And when they return to town, their science teacher threads their experiences into the curriculum throughout the year.”

At the device-free retreat, cell phones were only allowed for emergencies. “The kids thought they were going to miss them, but they didn’t,” Gallegos reports. “Instead, they played games together, ran from room to room, and got to be kids. Since then, they interact differently. I see kids talking with new kids around the playground. There are lots of subtle changes that make a great impact.”

Maher was effusive in her praise of Islandwood instructor Finn Boss, 26. A former grief instructor and current teaching program graduate student at UW, he intends to continue working with kids in outdoor education programs once he gets his Masters.

“The retreat took place just a week before our finals week,” Boss reported. “I was really stressed. Yet the group gave me an immense sense of joy. What seemed to affect the kids most is that they trusted me. During an atmospheric river week of rain, I put on rain pants and sat in whatever puddle they chose. As they had me sit in a new puddle every day, I stayed dry. I think my willingness to be silly with them and engage in things in new ways helped them realize the retreat could be a fun and joyful experience. That gave them permission to be brave enough to walk to the top of our canopy tower and do lots of far out things.”

I expected to end this New Year send-off with inspiring quotes from fifth graders about their desires to become the land stewards of tomorrow. But when I spoke with Katie (Maher) Moffat and Solvei Mortensen, bonding preceded nature stewardship in importance. Moffat stressed how she got closer to a few kids and gained “a better view of my closeness to my parents and the love for family we share.” Mortensen, in turn, said “the high point was the lodge time with my friends because we were able to practice the talent show and all that. I’ve gotten closer to some of the kids in my class.”

In our fast-changing times, does it take a device-free nature retreat for kids to break out of screen-induced isolation and develop deeper connections with each other? Will doing so ultimately deepen their connections with Mother Earth? As we enter 2024, there is as much left to discover as there is to celebrate.

Jason Victor Serinus is a professional critic / commentator on culture, music, and audio. He is also the oldest member of the WA State LGBTQ Commission. Column tips: jvsaisi@gmail.com.