- Hey boys and girls,
it's so good to see you.
Paxton and I have another story to share with you today.
I hope you're ready.
Say hey to Paxton.
Hey Paxton.
So, let me ask you a question.
Have you ever been camping?
How cool is that
when you get to sleep underneath the stars
or maybe in the tent,
which is where I prefer,
or sitting around a camp fire,
making s'mores with marshmallows
and graham crackers and chocolate,
going fishing?
There's lots of things.
Going hiking?
Lots of things you can do while you're on a camping trip,
it's just really fun.
So, have you ever heard of the word ADHD?
Now, I know,
what does the word camping have to do with ADHD?
Our story today is called The Camping Trip,
and it really does have a lot to do with the story.
Our friends are on a camping trip
and Brody has a problem.
So, the word ADHD
is a word that is used to describe children
who are really really busy.
And perhaps you've been in a classroom
where you have a child
who is sitting not too far from you
and is fidgeting in a seat,
and just being busy,
just doing stuff.
And you find it particularly annoying,
because it's distracting,
it keeps you from being focused on your teacher.
It happens, it happens probably in most every classroom.
That happens sometimes,
it's usually a medical condition,
which is why it's called ADHD
and sometimes medication is needed to help control that.
Not always, sometimes it has more to do with diet
and just training,
but it's something that's very very real in our world today.
So, it becomes a problem when you're in a classroom,
like I said,
and you become distracted,
and sometimes you get really really annoyed
and you just want it to stop.
But did you know
that even when these children are being really busy,
they can still learn?
It doesn't mean they aren't listening,
they just listen differently, right?
So, it happens,
so let's find out what happens to Brody
in The Camping Trip.
Are you ready?
Here we go.
Okay everyone,
are you ready?
We have a long hike ahead of us,
have you made sure your backpacks
are filled with everything you need?
Water,
food for lunch, dinner, and tomorrow's breakfast,
whatever bedding you're going to need,
and any personal items.
Remember also,
you are required to carry your own backpack
the entire way up and back.
You'll also need
some kind of information packet you have created
to record your findings on the mineral deposits
up on Pauper's Peak.
And be prepared to record any fossils
or Native American artifacts you might see.
If you have a camera,
pictures would be nice.
One last thing,
stay together and on the trail.
Any of the chaperones will help you if you have questions.
Further,
do not bother any Native American stone cairns
you see along the way,
and you will see them.
They are often placed
as a memorial for a special event, person, location,
or other personal reason.
Ready! Said everyone at once when Ms. Myra stops speaking.
Okay, we're off, she said,
taking the lead as chaperone.
Ferrah Ferret stepped in beside her.
Marko Muskcrat and Ryker Rabbit
followed close behind
as Paxton Prairie Dog walked alongside Liliana Mountainlion.
Opal Opossum and Ferrah Ferret followed next,
while Snow Big Horn Sheep and Brody Badger
walked just in front of chaperons
Oreo Opossum and Brock Badger.
As they began their climb,
Mister Orie and Mr. Brock in deep conversation,
missed Brody stepping out of line to look at animal tracks
leaving off the path.
Without comment, Brody moved into the underbrush.
Mr. Brock, said Snow urgently,
Brody just went into the woods.
He looked like he was looking for something.
Oh no, said Mr. Brock,
I'll get him.
In just a moment,
the group heard, sorry dad,
I just saw the most awesome deer tracks,
I just wanted to see where they went.
Stay on the trail, that's the rule.
Yes sir, said Brody,
stepping in beside Snow.
As they move forward,
Brody spotted something shiny and stopped.
Come on Brody, said Snow, keep up.
Keep going, I'll be right there, he replied.
He's gone again Mr. Brock,
he stopped to look at something on the trail
but didn't catch up like he said he would.
Now I don't see him at all.
Okay, I'll go back and find him,
everyone else, keep on moving,
Brody and I will find you.
Sorry dad, said Brody, moments later.
I stayed on the trail but look, it's gold.
It looks like gold, but it's really pyrite.
Remember, you talked about that in class.
Oh.
I thought I found something really cool.
You did,
just not what you thought.
So, let's catch up with the rest of the group,
and how about if you stay with me,
I don't like to have to keep trying to find you.
Yes sir, Brody mumbled.
As the group reached a flat spot on the trail,
Ms. Myra turned and said,
we're gonna stop here for lunch.
We are about halfway there.
It'll take us another hour to get to the top from here,
so eat up and stay strong.
Brody found his spot next to his dad and Mr. Orie,
and then finishing early, Brody asked,
Dad, can I look around?
As long as you stay where I can see you.
Okay, he said, bounding near the edge of the clearing.
I'm going to look for Native American arrowheads in here.
Brody, called his dad, just moments later.
Brody, answer me.
When no answer came,
Mr. Brock looked at Mr. Orie and said,
that boy, here I go again.
What's wrong with him?
Asked Ryker when Mr. Brock was out of sight.
He knows the rule,
why does he keep doing that?
Doing what? asked Liliana.
You know, running off that way.
Oh that.
I don't know, I'm afraid to run off,
I'd get lost if I did that, she declared.
It's okay, said Paxton, it's just how he is.
Besides, he has ADHD.
What's that?
Well, my aunt says it's like a fast moving train
on ice covered tracks,
waiting for the sun to melt the ice
so the brakes can work.
How does she know?
Because my cousin Palmer has it.
He is right,
said Ms. Fawna and that is a wonderful definition.
I have a nephew with the same problem.
What it really means is a child with ADHD is busy,
which is called hyperactivity.
They often move in all kinds of directions
and rarely sit still.
They tend to be impulsive,
finding it hard to wait their turn,
and are forever investigating something.
But did you know, ADHD children are very smart?
Are you kidding me?
Asked Opal opossum.
You'd never know it by watching him.
It's true.
They usually have one or maybe two areas
where they're really brilliant.
I'll believe that when I see it, laughed Ryker.
Oh you're back,
said Liliana as she turned around
to the noise coming from the woods.
We are said Mr. Brock,
he found an arrowhead
and went exploring.
What all did he find?, questioned Paxton.
A lot actually.
He came acris a seat lodge.
Thankfully, it wasn't being used,
but it certainly caught his attention.
Back in line,
the group began their final ascent
at the top of Pauper's Peak.
After eating their individual dinners,
the friends found their preferred places to sleep.
As darkness closed in around them,
silence also enveloped the area.
They were startled when Brody began to speak.
Would you look at that.
What?, asked Ferrah.
There, do you see it?
The Big Dipper and the little over there,
he said, pointing.
But it's hard to see all the stars in the Little Dipper,
because the stars in Cochob and Furcad
are dimmer than the rest.
Continuing after just a pause,
he said, Polarius,
that really bright star
is the 50th brightest of all the stars.
But when you see Polarius,
it means you found the direction north.
Polarius is also known as the North Star
and part of the Little Dipper.
If you find the Big Dipper first,
follow the two outside stars in the bowl of the Big Dipper,
because they always point to the North Star.
The Big Dipper along with all the eastern sky,
turns around Polarius,
like a giant pinwheel counterclockwise every day
but not quite 24 hours.
How close to 24 hours?, asked Paxton.
23 hours and 56 minutes, Brody said matter of factly.
Wow, said Ryker, you are really smart.
I didn't know any of that.
That's very cool, said Ferrah.
That was worth the trip up here.
I agree, said Ms. Myra,
even if that isn't why we came.
You've made this camping trip very successful Brody.
You found pyrite, a sweat lodge, and an arrowhead.
I hope you'll document your findings
and I hope you'll continue learning about the sky.
What you shared is amazing, thank you.
So, did you ever think
that children who don't look like they're learning,
could possibly be brilliant?
Isn't that amazing?
But that happens, it does happen,
and sometimes we look at ourselves and the way we learn
and find it difficult to be able to connect
with someone who learns differently than us.
The biggest thing we have to remember
is to be kind, right?
We need to let that person know
that it's okay they're different.
They are very very special in their very own way,
just like we are
and just like Paxton is.
So, you see, everyone has unique qualities
that helps them get through their day,
and an ADHD child, yeah, they're busy,
they are busy.
But there are ways that we can appreciate them.
They are very special
and we are each very special in our own way.
And I am so grateful
that you spent part of your day with us.
Paxton and I love to share stories with you.
So, I hope you'll join us again.
For now, we are gonna say bye.
Say bye Paxton.
Bye Paxton.
And the next time you're on a camping trip,
check out those skies.
Or maybe if you're not gonna go
on a camping trip right away,
step outside on your porch
or on your front lawn one night when its dark.
Check out those stars,
see if you can find the Big Dipper
and the Little Dipper and Polarius.
How about that?
Polaris,
I had an extra vowel in there, sorry,
Polaris, find Polaris.
That's pretty cool.
You have a great rest of your day,
thank you for sharing your time with us.
We'll talk to you later, bye.