An account by Jonathan Masterson and Josh Maks
The first Mark Warren Trip was out on September 22, 23 and 24 with the following students: Carli Sperbeck, Ryan Klun, Andrew Lopez, Sterling Shaw, Josh Maks, Jonathan Masterson, Aaron Peterson, and Charlie Horton. While Mark Warren leads most activities, Paul Gerten was the Mini Staff leader, and Tyler Rouse was Paul’s full-time Assistant. There was also a visit from Scott Johnson and Ramona Anderson.
Day One
We got to school at 6 A.M., brought our things into the school to get them searched, and ended up leaving school around 7:30. We stopped at Burger King to get some breakfast. Got to the campsite at around 9:30-10:00. We all got situated in our tents then we met Mark Warren.
We all introduced ourselves, and he then took us into the woods, first stopping at a plant called mullen, explaining that it grows in hard packed soil and is commonly found a lot in road ditches. He explained that we would use the stalk of this plant to start fire, and then we proceeded into the woods. We stopped at a white pine tree. Mark explained to us that white pine is especially good for fire building because it gets very dry, and because when the branches die, they don’t fall. Instead they stay elevated and dry out. He kept moving then stopped at the basswood tree. He explained that not the outer bark but the inner bark was used for many things, such as fire building, and especially for making rope. We moved on and he stopped again and explained a bunch of smaller things on the way back. We went and got some lunch: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Day Two
The first night, and then the first morning began. We all went to the main cabin to eat a great marvelous breakfast that Paul prepared for us. Pancakes, sausage, oooh, it was so good. After breakfast, we went to go prepare an island in the middle of the St. Croix river for the “Sweat Lodge” on the last day. We canoed to the island. Carli was my canoe partner. When we finally made it back to camp, Mark showed us this fun game called Zoogle, where you throw this stick… and, yeah. Later in the day, we learned how to “make fire”, it was fun and we all got it pretty good. The dinner Paul made was all right – mac and cheese – but it took forever to make. After that, it was bedtime, and we all dreamed great dreams.
Day Three
The morning was cold…again. All of us woke up and went to breakfast. Paul made us a nice, wholesome bowl of oatmeal. Then we were sent back to get all of our things together and get ready for the “sweat lodge.” About an hour passed, and then we were off to the island.
Once we got on the island there was no talking, it was kind of a weird rule. We finally got into the sweat lodge after having to wait for the rocks to heat. As we got into the sweat lodge it was already hot. Mark then started to pour cups of water on the rocks “in honor” of every person. After honoring everyone, he stated the “Nine Directions.” This is the time everyone started to wuss-out and leave. By the end of the ninth direction it was only Aaron, Josh, Paul, and Mark. After you got out of the sweat lodge you have to go into the freezing cold water, to “close your pores,” I guess.
When we got back from the sweat lodge the next group was already there and setting up. So we got our things, loaded up the van, and ate lunch with the other group. As soon as lunch was over Aaron Carli, Andrew, Sterling, Josh, John, Charlie and I were on the way home.