There is one final project inspired by the ESMIS class, Island Hopping, that I am going to try to implement. This will be an ungraded assignment. I would like to take groups of eight to ten students to the Manitou Islands to satisfy objectives much like those that were listed for Island Hopping. I have already contacted Campmor to try to work out a bulk rate equipment discount. I will contact REI and EMS regarding the same, trying to establish some bidding.

Once a package of equipment has been determined, I will write a grant through one of two local granting institutions, the Four County Foundation or the Armada Education Foundation to try to secure the equipment. I will include a more developed lesson plan in the grant, which I will also forward to the MTU Department of Education.

If I am successful in obtaining the equipment grant, I will contact the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore administrative offices to inquire about some group options. Regardless of those options, I will offer a five to seven day field experience option to my students. Based on response, I would consider two and maybe three such trips, choosing to shorten the length if more groups are needed.

I have spoken with parents and fellow teachers about serving as chaperones, and already I have been able to solicit volunteers who have valuable hiking and/or EMT experience. Of course, I would sit down with school legal counsel, as well as seek the advice of Mary Hindelang on necessaries and particulars. In addition, I have considered the age-group about which I write, and their affinity for auditory media. As a check on the number of groups that could possibly form, I would not allow such devices on the trip. This trip/class will serve as a chance for teens to see that some of those daily perceived necessities are merely unneeded options. (I did not miss nor think about radio or television while on the islands.)

The single biggest reason I would like to do this is that I would like to see my students exposed to areas being left to their natural devices. I also want them, particularly kids from Armada, to see some of the beautiful areas they have available right here in their home state. It would be nice if some fellow backpackers and hikers developed as well. Whether this class comes to fruition or not, I will contact MTU as part of my follow up to this paper.