On Sunday afternoon Chris and Jack, and Mike and Jen came over to our house for cake ti celebrate Eric’s birthday. Below Jen, Kathryn and Jack look on as Eric makes a birthday wish.
Eric received a large plush wolf to go with his wolf hat and mini-wolf.
Later he settled in to play Skylanders while resting on the new wolf.
HP Gold 3rd-4th Grade Basketball Team before their season opener. Row 1: Daniel, Jack, Luke, Caleb. Row 2 Trevor, DeVante, Eric, Michael, Sawyer. Row 3 Coaches Jim & Matt.
The Devil’s Kitchen Lean-to is located in the northeastern Catskills and is easily accessible from the Prediger Road Trailhead or the Platte Clove Road Trailhead. This route, along the Long Path from Platte Clove, is approximately a mile shorter and at 1.1 miles in one direction, makes for quick access and an easy to intermediate hike.
The Trailhead for the Long Path is located on Platte Clove Road in the Catskill Center’s Platte Clove Preserve. There is a pull-off at the Trailhead, but you should drive east a few hundred feet along Platte Clove Road, turn at the “Forest Preserve Parking” sign and use the lot that provides parking for the trails to the north and south of Platte Clove Road.
As we exited the vehicle temperatures were in the upper 20s with a 5mph breeze. We quickly grabbed our backpacks and hiked up the road to the trailhead where the Long Path drops down a steep embankment, passes by a trail register and then crosses on a replica of the original post and tenon bridge that used to cross the stream.
The trail follows sections of the Old Overlook Road, which at one time provided access to the Platte Clove area from Overlook Mountain and the Woodstock area. There was also an old hotel in Platte Clove that the road accessed and a number of older quarry roads intersected with the Old Overlook Road. The Long Path through the preserve is marked with the blue and white Long Path trail markers. After the bridge, the trail turns to the right to avoid the very eroded roadbed that is straight ahead. It then climbs steadily and makes its way through a mostly hemlock forest. After about a third of a mile, the trail rejoins the Old Overlook Road and follows that road the rest of the way. The Devil’s Kitchen Lean-to is indicated by the “L” on the map below.
It was certainly disconcerting to be snowshoeing along what was essentially a nature trail- complete with little informational signs provided by the Catskill Center describing different tree species as well as historical artifacts, such as the Overlook Road and a bluestone quarry. Further along, the trail crosses into the Forest Preserve and the trail markers switch from the Long Path plastic discs to the DEC plastic disks. The trail then comes to the intersection with the red marked Devil’s Path from the Prediger Road trailhead. Just beyond that, the trail intersects with the red marked Indian Head Trail which the Devil’s Path also follows. There is large rock quarry just east of the trail junction with the Devil’s Path. We continued straight at both intersections, staying on the Old Overlook Road. Just beyond the intersection with the Indian Head Trail, the Old Overlook Trail comes up on the Devil’s Kitchen Lean-to and the Cold Kill stream is just beyond. The lean-to is an older lean-to and receives a lot of use so is not in the best shape, but it is a nice area.
As we approached the lean-to we observed multiple snowshoe tracks coming in from the Prediger Road trail. The lean-to was occupied by three men: Jim from WDC, Seth from Paramus, NJ and Steve from Queens, NY. They had snowshoed in on the previous afternoon and spent a blustery night in the lean-to which had snow extending about 1/3 of the way into the platform. We chatted while they prepared for a day hike and we consumed our lunch. Steve, Jim and Seth rented their winter camping equipment, but said they typically got out winter camping 3-4 times a season. After lunch we discussed options for the night and decided to seek a campsite in the woods protected from the wind. The problem was that Matt and Skip planned on staying in the lean-to; only bringing a bivy sack.
We retreated back down the trail and found a suitable location with a small stream and lots of dried wood just north of the trail junctions. Jim and Mark set up their tents – Mark without having to consult the instructions!
Matt used his space blanket and one from Mark to build a lean-t0; he stamped out an area between two trees and sheltered his bivy and sleeping bag from the wind. 
Skip laid out his bivy next to a log.
After we got our sleeping arrangements set up Matt made muffins. The technique involved an inch of water in the bottom of a cook pot that dissipated the heat from the stove. The muffins sat on an aluminum shelf. There is nothing better than warm baked goods while winter camping.
We accumulated a large wood pile and built a fire next to a large boulder which reflected the heat back out. We started our fire at 4pm. Matt, Mark and Skip cooked brats over the open flame while Jim added boiling hot water to an expired Salmon Pesto freeze dried meal.
Mark lit up his tent with the LED lights.
We sat around talking until 8:30pm and then turned in. The next morning we arose at 7am, packed up and were on the trail by 8am. We paused on the way out for the obligatory group photograph on the bridge.
The day after Christmas Dakota and Bella came to our house for a play day and a sleep over. Originally the plan was to just have a play day, but with 12″ of snow in the forecast it was decided to have a sleep over. The girls played well, visited the neighbors and their cow barn (with much fascination).
Christmas eve we took Dakota and Stone to Church services with us and then returned home to meet with Billie Jo and Joel for gift exchange.
Eric was full of the Christmas spirit – so full that he had a hard time sleeping. He came into our room at 4am complaining of being unable to sleep. I took him back to his room and tried to get him to settle in – to no avail. At 6am we gave up and started opening presents.
The big gift was a ping-pong table. It took us two trips to Dick’s Sporting Goods and three sessions for Kathryn and I to assemble it (142 little screws). We made Eric do a short treasure hunt before locating the ping pong table.
He also got Legos, Kan Jam, clothes and a Wolf Hat.
Kathryn made a ham dinner which we shared with Skip after playing a few games of ping pong. In the afternoon Chris and Jack stopped by.
Friday I took a day off from work and Kathryn and I went shopping mainly at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart and Best Buy..
That night we were contacted by friends with SU Tickets that had a birthday party to attend and they offered their 4 tickets to the Monmouth game. We were able to take Eric and his buddy Trevor. The game was a blow out (108-56) with lots of dunks and 3point shots – perfect for nine year old boys. Eric and Trevor caught a free t-shirt and did rock, paper, scissors to determine who took it home.
We had a busy weekend. Friday afternoon we picked up 153 lbs of beef from Kelley Meat Markets. Kathryn had cleaned out the freezer and re-organized so we would have enough room for all the meat. After loading up the freezer we picked Eric up from school with the pickup truck and went to get a Christmas Tree.
On Saturday Eric had basketball practice and I gave a presentation to the GAWASA Boy Scouts and Troop Leader who were preparing for a winter camping trip. I had a 40 minute presentation about sleeping warm.
After the presentation I came home, changed clothes and headed out to Syracuse with our friends the Helmers for dinner and to see Paula Poundstone at the Palace Theater.
Sunday we decorated our tree with the company of Jack and Chris and late Sunday afternoon we played volleyball at Remsen HS vs. other community members and the Remsen Girls JV team..
It was perfect conditions; a light covering of snow on the ground and leaves, mild temperatures, low wind and a continuing lake effect snow. I had a 6 hour bonfire in the woods getting rid of a lot of old sumac trees.
We hosted Thanksgiving for Barb & Joe, Rob & Linda, Billie Jo, Joel, Stone and Dakota.
After dinner we took a walk around the ponds and the boys started riding downhill while rolling inside a barrel.
Unfortunately the HP Bolts did not advance past the HCCC Qualifying Tournament to the First Lego League Championship Tournament at SUNYIT December 1. I thought I would share with you some of the grading and comments our FLL team received from the judges. Our final grade was compiled from three judged sessions: Core Values, Research Project, and Robot Design; and the best score from three attempted timed runs of robot. As coaches we were permitted to listen to the Core Values and Research Project Sessions. We were not permitted to listen to the Robot Design session.
For the judged sessions there were multiple judges contributing to a score sheet which reported one of four grades: Beginning, Developing Accomplished and Exemplary; from low to high for various items.
For our judged CORE VALUES session the received extra points for our team introduction (team name and participants) and favorable comments for
|
Item |
Grade |
| Discovery | Developing: emphasis on two aspects, one is neglected |
| Team Spirit | Accomplished: team is enthusiastic and fun, clear identity |
| Integration | Exemplary: team is able to describe multiple examples including individual stories. |
| Effectiveness | Exemplary: clear processes enable the team to accomplish well defined goals. |
| Efficiency | Accomplished: excellent time management and role definition allows the team to accomplish most goals. |
| Kids do the work | Exemplary: team independence with minimal coach guidance. |
| Inclusion | Exemplary: balanced team involvement and appreciation for contributions of all team members |
| Respect | Exemplary: always evident, even in difficult situations and team actively helps other teams. |
These were excellent scores. We were really pleased with the presentation as all the boys contributed thoughts. They helped one another in the problem solving discussion which involved picking a random playing card from deck and relating it to their team and/or FLL experience.
For our judged RESEACH PROJECT session we received the following comments:
|
Item |
Grade |
| Problem Identification | Exemplary: clear very detailed |
| Sources of Information | Developing: two types of information cites; several sources |
| Problem Analysis | Accomplished: sufficient study and analysis by team. |
| Review Existing Solutions | Developing: minimal review: some team analysis |
| Team Solution | Exemplary: easy to understand by all |
| Innovation | Exemplary: original solution/application with the potential to add significant value |
| Implementation | Accomplished: factors well considered: some question about proposed solution |
| Sharing | Exemplary: shared with multiple individuals or groups that might benefit |
| Creativity | Accomplished: engaging and imaginative |
| Presentation Effectiveness | Exemplary: clear and well organized. |
We felt the judges really like the way the boys took control of the session. They introduced the team, themselves, their skit and their role in the skit. I believe the judges found the skit to be a good introduction to both the need and the proposed solution. We could have done a little better citing research sources, but since this was basically put together by the two 4th graders – it was pretty impressive.
For our ROBOT PERFORMANCE we finished in a remarkable 9th place out of 20 teams. Remarkable in that our robot rarely performed as anticipated; our 1st run no missions worked. We finished with a high score of 135. I believe the highest placing team scored 255 points. The team in 10th place below us scored 115 points.
We did not properly prepare for and/or practice with the time, noise, performance pressures and intensity which our robot team were subjected to. Credit goes to the boys for pulling together and working it out as a team despite the frustration they experienced.
Our ROBOT DESIGN was our weakest component. We knew that going in.
For our judged ROBOT DESIGN session we received the following comments:
We received 7 Beginning grades in the categories of Durability, Programming Quality, Programming Efficiency, Automation/Navigation, Design Process, Mission Strategy, and Innovation. We received 2 Developing grades for Mechanical Efficiency and Mechanization.
SUMMARY
Obviously the team wanted to be rewarded for their hard work by advancing to the next round at SUNYIT. We said we would go to the tournament if we could get one working mission. We ended up with three missions – although none were as polished as we would have liked. We felt good about our presentations of the research project and core values and the kids did great on those. The robot design was a ‘gotcha’ that got us and probably was the single factor that kept the team from advancing.
I got involved in this effort because my son went to the Intro to FLL summer class at SUNYIT and came out requesting more involvement. I encouraged his participation because I thought it was a good way for him to learn logic and programming; get exposed to sensors and basic mechanical automation. These are skills that I believe can be valuable in a future work force.
However, what I didn’t anticipate was the amount of teamwork, problem solving and communication lessons that my son and this team would be exposed to each and every time we got together. I have coached AYSO soccer and youth basketball for a number of years; I have been involved as a 4H leader and Sunday School teacher but none of those environments were as demanding of teamwork, problem solving and communication as this past few weeks of FLL experiences has been. The boys may have learned something about logic, programming, sensors and basic mechanical automation but I absolutely am sure they learned something about teamwork, problem solving and communication – which are equally important in a future work force.
This is a great bunch of kids to work with. It is really fun to work as part of a motivated team – which these boys became as the weeks went on. I wish to convey my thanks to all of them for their contributions to this team. I look forward to seeing them in the future.
