As a Kenan Fellow, I knew that I would be involved in several different experiences that would grow and expand me both professionally and personally.  But, never did I envision as one of those experiences, attending camp.  Not since Girls Scout have I been camping.  So, I didn’t really know what to expect when I signed up for the November 9, 2020 Kenan Fellows 2020 – 2021 Honey Camp which was lead by Bee Downtown.

For me, Honey Camp was bee-yond my wildest imagination.  First, I was selected as honored camper, which meant that I received some extra goodies (Yeah!).  Second, Honey Camp introduced me to the world of honey.  Sure, I understood honey comes from bees and flowers, but I learned so much more.  And third, I didn’t realize honey could take me back to some of my fondest childhood memories.

So what is this Honey Camp that I speak so highly of… well I can only imagine it is the honey equivalent of a wine or cheese tasting.  (I don’t drink and cheese isn’t a big fan of me, so I have never participated in either of the latter two.)  My fellow honey campers and I learned everything from how to smell, color characterize , and assess the look, flavor and mouthfeel.  In the end, we used this information to decipher the honeys we tasted.  One amber colored honey with intense smell and flavor transported me to my maternal grandparents’ farm where we spent Thanksgivings and Christmases when I was growing up.  I vividly recalled sitting near the fireplace reading the Bible (which I could barely read) to my grandfather while listening to my siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles laughing and talking in the kitchen, sitting on the porch or playing in the yard.

Yes, I enjoyed my experience.  And, it was the perfect reprieve to a week which would be filled with lesson planning, online teaching, parent and student meetings, Lego competition preparation and participation as well as everything else that comes with teaching virtually in this COVID-19 new normal.  Thanks to everyone at Kenan Fellows involved in planning this awesome experience.  I will remember it always.