Mummy’s, sparkling diamonds, deep, dark mines and a shipwreck — items seemingly found in a movie or novel.
This year, they’re part of the SAFE BASE summer program, which comes to an end this week.
The students have gone on several educational trips this summer.
Students were to travel to Branson, Mo., today for their last trip of the summer before SAFE BASE resumes its regular USD 257 after-school programs in the fall.
While in Branson, kindergartners through eighth-graders will visit the Titanic museum. Students have tried different projects to learn more about the demise of the famous ship. SAFE BASE instructor Gale Hoag filled a bucket with ice and water to simulate the cold temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean.
“The kids would stick their hand inside the bucket to see how cold the water was,” Hoag said. “I don’t think they realized how cold it was for the passengers until then.”
Along with the cold water the kids made icebergs and learned about ship passengers.
Crater of Diamonds
State Park
Ninety-five students took a crack at diamond mining on an overnight trip to the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Ark. The park is the world’s only publicly accessible diamond mine. The students received a lesson in diamond sifting and were given digging kits.
“We did have one diamond confirmation, but it was lost on the way to lunch,” Angela Henry, SAFE BASE director, said.
Henry said the kids had a blast digging holes and sifting through the muddy water.
Before the trip, instructors showed the students how to properly put up tents. They enjoyed the outdoors at the campgrounds.
Meanwhile, kindergartners through second-graders went to Paradise Park in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Paradise Park is a 1,200-square-foot indoor outdoor educational center.
