The year 2020 was full of experiences and events, the biggest being the pandemic, but that did not prevent our community from enjoying the beauty and joy of Patagonia and her seasons. In July of 2020, the sky painted the Coyhaique landscape white through a series of snow storms. Because we were in the midst of the pandemic, we did not take the normal July winter vacation and this meant that we got to enjoy the snow with the children of Pequeños Exploradores.
When the team arrived at the barn forest and we observed this white landscape that was presented to us, we had no choice but to start turning the gears of our minds to make the experience in the snow the maximum. It was then that we divided the tasks: Who was going to make the snow monkeys? Who is in charge of making the igloo? Someone has to make the hot chocolate! Who manages the snowball fight? And of course, who was going to be the referee for the sledding competition?
At this point the teaching team was ready but the boys and girls were missing. We went to look for them at the base of the mountain, because of course, with the amount of snow that there was, the cars would not make it to the Barn. When we saw the children, we couldn’t help but notice the happiness in their little eyes and their bodies, covered and masked among so many snow suits, ski masks, ear muffs, hats, gloves and even goggles. The laughter was contagious, because just walking uphill was a challenge for everyone. Carrying the children’s backpacks and huge layers of clothing only made the situation funnier.
When we got to the top, the boys and girls seemed to be in a state of sensory overload, impressed by the white that covered the trees as if their color had always been the snowy cream color, the frozen smell of forest, water and cold that enveloped the snow. You could feel the sound that their boots made when stepping on the snow or the fall of the snow accumulated in the branches when it hit the covered ground. As the children moved their toes inside their snow boots, there were many sensations, experiences, emotions. The truth is, returning to Pequeños Exploradores after a time at home was always appreciated.
There were so many activities and sensations that day that time flew by. Between hot chocolate, the campfire, rolling down the mountain, snow monkey building, lost gloves, hanging snot, snowball fights, chamomile tea and honey, contagious laughter, the reading of stories in front of the stove, the multiple changes of clothes, the impossible runs to the outhouses to go pee, the igloo in its construction process, the hugs, the melted marshmallows…not a moment was wasted.
It was at that moment that something happened. That current of air, with our eyes on the horizon, we knew that the most anticipated moment of the day was approaching. They lined up, laughter was heard, guides giving instructions, hands squeezing the plastic. Silence, hearts were beating, breathing was agitated, there was anxiety in the environment, everyone was waiting their turn. When suddenly “Ready, set, go” was heard and everyone, boys, girls and guides, threw ourselves with the bags of pellet from the barn stove. Butts down like the most expensive and sturdy sled that ever existed, laughter broke out, snow creeping in where it shouldn’t, and clothes soaked. We realized that we did not need anything else, that all problems at that time were temporary.
It was at that moment that we realized that it was time, that day was over, our hearts happy, our bodies tired, our mouths were smiling and now they were asking for a good shower and a delicious eleven. We were going to leave the boys and girls at the base with the promise that this would be repeated and that the next day together we would do more magic in that forest, that beloved forest that we call home.
