<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Michelle 3(1).jpg" style="float: right; width: 250px; height: 173px;" />I signed on to be an environmental education intern at Au Sable having no previous experience managing groups of children. I was resolved to stretch myself, and hopefully, instill the passion I feel for nature and the outdoors in the hearts of all the children I would encounter. I was fortunate to have been able to spend my youth hiking through the woods, camping, sitting on the end of a pier fishing, and searching for frogs, snakes, and turtles to play with &ndash; pastimes that many children today do not experience. While I may not have dreams of becoming a teacher, these are things I can share with others...</p>
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	My first breakthrough in this area was the first time I led the owl study evening program. After assuming my position as group leader, we talked about what makes an owl an efficient night predator. The fifth graders began getting really excited about owls! When it was time to go outside, the children quickly lined up at the door. I stressed the importance of their silence before we hiked to sheltered spot overlooking the snow-covered pond &ndash; the ideal place to call for owls. The moment the children filed out of the lodge, the only sounds echoing through the still night were the sounds of boots crunching through the snow. No one uttered a sound. When we reached the edge of the pond, I began hooting like a Barred Owl. Looking up at the starry night sky I knew that if an owl came to investigate, it would emerge over the tree line and soar silently overhead. I whispered to the students, &ldquo;Watch for shadows flying over the tree line.&rdquo; A moment later, with all of our heads turned towards the sky, something blocked the stars from view! The shape of an owl swooped from the treetops directly above us!</p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Barred Owl.jpg" style="float: left; width: 250px; height: 173px;" />When we got back inside, one of the boys came running up to me saying, &ldquo;That was the coolest thing I have EVER seen!&rdquo; Seeing the fire in his eyes after this encounter in nature was energizing! Not only was I able to communicate a passion for nature to my students, I was also able to share in their joy at the &#39;owl encounter,&#39; as I too had never before seen an owl flying freely in the wild.</p>
