For several hours last April, Brandon Middle School science teachers Dave Green and Jeb Laux along with about 16 students and 12 adults went underground.
Crawling through 52 degree water in narrow passageways deep in a southern Indiana cave, Green and his contingent discovered rare bats, cave salamanders and plenty of thick mud.
Yet the group of teachers and students were caving for more than unique critters and a quagmire of Indiana goo.
‘We seek self-confidence, personal growth, and the realization that when you get in a tough position, you can succeed even when you feel you can’t,? said Green, a teacher for the past seven years and a trained caver.
In April the group of Brandon Middle School students visited Delaney Park in southern Indiana for a few days of cave exploring. The trip which required shinning through narrow crevices deep in the ground tested the students and leaders with the group.
‘Some crawls through the caves are stressful both mentally and physically’we’re seeking that challenge.?
Green and his group of cavers are part of the Michigan 4-H Challenge program that aims to assist participants see themselves from a whole new perspective. Program organizers say as society becomes further removed from the natural environment, personal alienation becomes more prevalent. The inability to cope with related stresses is therefore becoming a rapidly growing social problem.
The 4-H Challenge Club which includes about 140 in the Brandon School District, helps students build leadership skills, self confidence, team building through challenging outdoor activities like caving in Indiana, added Green.
‘We’ve participate in plenty of activities including a winter time overnight camping trip to northern Michigan, canoeing, and rock climbing,? said Green. ‘We’re getting the kids in the outdoors and providing a lesson in stewardship of the land and natural resources. We also take all precautions regarding safety for the students.?
For the past 20 years Sue Stapleton 4-H program coordinator for Oakland County has worked with students and a host of clubs throughout the county.
‘If you’re going to be a viable organization it’s to change with the society and the demands,? said Stapleton of the more than 2,000 individuals in 4-H.
‘The membership has stayed the same in Oakland County but now there are more kids in 4-H in the suburban and urban areas than in the country. It’s been a subtle change in 4-H, there was a lot of farming 100 years ago kids raised animals, now that’s just about gone, today there are different challenges including the 4-H Challenge program. The feel good about what they accomplish.?
Eighth grade student Claire Pincumbe, 14, joined the 4-H Challenge Challenge Program two years ago and encourages other students to do the same.
‘Not many people have experienced underground for six hours,? said Pincumbe. ‘When I first arrived at the cave I was anxious, as we hiked further into the cave I liked the experience more.?
Pincumbe recalls crawling 20 yards through complete darkness in a 18 inch by 24 inch tunnel nicknamed the ‘Gun Barrel.?
‘It was a tight fit, but I loved it. The extra crawls where great. I was exhausted and covered in mud when I was done, but I’d do it again. Mr. Green really made the trip interesting.?