Student Essays
Comstock 5th-Grade Students
Pecos Day Camp
February 24, 2004

Our Field Trip to Shumla
The other day my class went on a field trip to SHUMLA. SHUMLA is about 15 miles from Comstock. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 8th graders went with us. Whenever we got there they introduced themselves. After they introduced themselves, we went with Ray. He is an apache Indian. He taught us about his heritage and told us stories of when he was young. He showed us how to use an atlatl, a bow and arrow, and a spear. Then, when we were done with Ray we went with Carolyn Boyd. She is an archaeologist. She told us to draw a picture of one of our favorite stories that Ray told us. I drew the one about the coyote and the moon. Then we went with another lady, Lisa Evans. She taught us about limestone. Did you know that weak acids like lemon juice and vinegar can dissolve limestone? She also taught us about different cactus. Did you know that algae + fungus = lichens? She also showed us some fossils. We also learned about bake ovens, and we learned the Chihuahuan Rain Dance. Then after that we went back with Ray. He showed us how to speak sign language. Then he showed us how to touch the Earth. I think that Shumla was a cool place.

Some Stuff Learned at SHUMLA School
Two days ago we went to SHUMLA School. I'm going to tell you what we learned and did there. We learned that ocean water makes limestone. Weathering is pretty cool to learn. Her are some things that cause weathering: trees, ice, water. W performed an experiment with limestone and vinegar. We poured vinegar on the limestone and it bubbled. The reason it bubbles is because vinegar is a weak acid, so is lemon juice. It was awesome! Next, we did a math problem: algae + fungus = lichens. Lichens are yellow or orange colored stuff on limestone. Now for the fun stuff. Ray showed us some cool arrowheads. Lisa taught us how to do the Chihuahuan Thank You Dance for Rain. Lisa also showed us some cool fossils and a bake oven. It was fun and a beautiful view of the landscape, so beautiful you would have to see it yourself. Shumla is about 15 miles west of Comstock, Tx. Now you can go see it for yourself.

My Trip to SHUMLA School
Not too long ago, I went to SHUMLA. We rode a big bus there. I sat with my friend, Dalia. SHUMLA is 15 miles from Comstock. When we arrived we met Dr. Carolyn Boyd, the archaeologist. Dr. Boyd introduced us to Ray the Apache, a photographer, and Mr. & Mrs. Harrington. Dr. Boyd told us that SHUMLA stand for “study of human uses of materials, land and art.” Then she told us what we were going to do that day. We hoped it would be fun.

First, we went with Ray. Ray told us about his people. He showed us arrowheads, Indian tools, and things he made. Ray told us many stories. One was about a coyote and a road runner. After we went with Ray, we went with Dr. Boyd.

Once we were Dr. Boyd, she told us a story about a man named Boon. Then, we drew a picture. The picture was about one of Ray's stories.

After going with Dr. Boyd, we went with Lisa Evans. Lisa Evans is a Park Ranger. She showed us Indian artifacts. Then, she told us about weathering and weak acids. Lisa Evans was cool. After, we went back with Ray. He showed us more things. He got some kids to throw an arrow. Later, we went and got on the bus. On our way home, we saw horses pulling wagons. I liked SHUMLA a lot. I would like to return.