25 excited but tired Middle School students recently returned from an action packed and educational first Eco Trip of the year. During the first day, students viewed one of the last herds of wild elephants in Kuiburi National Park; even getting lucky enough to watch the herd silently emerge from the forest to bath in a nearby lake. After viewing the elephants, the students learned how to make, and then actually made, a salt lick for the elephants. The second day started off with students helping the park rangers with another conservation project by building a dam in a dry creek bed to prevent erosion. After a solid morning’s work, the students packed up their tents and travelled to Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park for an afternoon hike to explore the famous Phrayanakhon Cave and a night of camping on the beach. On the third day, students fuelled up with a pancake breakfast before hiking out of the park to go kayaking on the Khao Deng waterway. Elephant viewing, hiking, cave exploring, kayaking, camping, cooking over a coal fire, and completing two conservation projects in a national park…what a great way to experience Thailand! As 8th grade student Carter W. wrote: “Thanks so much for this awesome eco trip! It was the best one yet that I’ve been on. Thank you!” The next Eco Trip will take place October 15 – 17 and will educate students about the unique eco system of a cave in Jedkot. Stay tuned for more adventures!
Please see Kuiburi Eco Trip photos in this link.