Before pulling out of my driveway early this morning, I had to scrape the frost off my windows. When I arrived at pine forest where I’d be spending the day with students, the sun had risen but the air temperature was still just in the 40s. Luckily, Chemistry Professor remembered to bring matches. “Of course we have to build a fire,” she said. “It’s a chemical reaction.”
A campfire enhances any discussion. The crackling sound of the fire fills the spaces between words so that pauses never feel awkward. Shy students feel more comfortable because no one is looking at them: everyone stares into the flames, almost as if they’re mesmerized. And we all sit close together, drawn together by the heat.
A campfire can make a group of random students feel like family, as we sit by the flames and share stories and talk about the landscape around us. Before dark, we gathered at the fire once again to make S’mores. Any day that ends with melted chocolate is a good day.
