All “Ger-ed” Up
by Sally Theriault, Anza-Borrego Institute Manager Photo by John Peterson
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t long last, gers from Mongolia are in place and ready for students to arrive, as part of Anza-Borrego Foundation’s Fifth Grade Environmental Education Camp. Since the camp began six years ago, sleeping in tents has been part of the experience for San Diego and Imperial County fifth graders who visited AnzaBorrego Desert State Park for an overnight outdoor adventure. But when harsh spring winds blew across the desert, tents were not ideal accommodations. Erratic weather forced some camp sessions to be cancelled or rescheduled, a disappointing outcome for eager youngsters who looked forward to camp all year. The search for a stormy weather solution led to the consideration of Mongolian gers (large round tents, called yurts in many other countries) from the wind-swept steppes of the Gobi desert. During recent visits to Mongolia, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s recently retired Superintendent Mark Jorgensen was impressed with their snug coziness and wind-worthiness, and was convinced that they could serve our students well. So ABF decided to order seven authentic gers from Mongolia for the Fifth Grade Camp program. On a typically sunny day in early January, a team of volunteers, including ABF and state park staff and friends, got together to erect four gers in time to shelter students during the 2010 spring camp season. For many children, this is their first camping experience, as well as their first visit to a state 80 roof poles (uni) form the skeleton that park. Throughout the students’ supports the ceiling of the gers. Photo by three-day adventure they learn Linda Tandle about desert plants, animals, and the duties of a ranger. Together they hike up Borrego Palm Canyon, visit a Native American village site, and even get a special tour of the Park’s paleontology laboratory, where they are introduced to scientific research and new careers they may never have continued on page 9
Desert Update
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