Ice-Out Update: February 21, 1997

Susan Wheelright

Announcing Journey North's 3rd Annual
Internet Ice-Out Contest for Walden Pond

When do you think the ice will melt on Walden Pond this spring? Famous naturalist Henry David Thoreau kept ice-out records in the mid-1800's and recorded them in his celebrated book, Walden. This year, we are thrilled to have students from Thoreau's home state officiate the contest. Fayerweather Street School in Cambridge, MA took a field trip to Walden Pond recently and prepared this report. Here is the students' research and writing, plus an invitation for you to enter the contest!

Susan Wheelright

• How to Enter the Ice-Out Contest
  Place your guess before the first day of spring! March 20th is this year's deadline.

• Walden Pond Ice-Out Update
  "The pond didn't freeze until January 18th this year, later than usual. On February 7th, it was 6 inches thick on the average."

• About Henry David Thoreau
  "Henry David Thoreau was someone who lived right next to Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts from 1845 until 1847. Some people thought Thoreau was a bit odd, and some people thought he was lazy because he did not have a regular job. He actually only worked about six weeks a year instead of working like crazy."

• About Walden Pond
  "Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts is really more of a lake than a pond. No streams flow into the pond, and there is no development around it, just trees. Walden was formed by an enormous glacier more than 10,000 years ago."

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  Writing Assignment and Challenge Question
  from Fayerweather Street School

  Henry David Thoreau built his wooden hut and went to stay by Walden Pond to live simply, to observe the natural world closely, and to write. He did not mind being thought of as different or unusual by many of the residents of Concord. Although he walked into town regularly to visit his family and enjoyed having visitors stop by his cabin, he preferred solitude.

  "...I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude."
  From Walden by Thoreau

  It took independence and courage for Thoreau to live his life as he chose. (He was not recognized as a great writer until after his death.) Can you think of a time when you thought carefully and then chose to act in way that was difficult for others to understand or support? What did you do? How did you feel when others disapproved? Did you mind? Where did you find the strength to act? Did you eventually gain the respect or understanding of others?

  "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer."
  From Walden, by Henry David Thoreau

  Challenge Question # 2
  To answer Challenge Question # 2, relate Thoreau words to your experiences.

  How to Respond to Journey North Ice-Out Challenge Question # 2

  1. Address an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-ice@learner.org
  2. In the Subject Line of your message write: Challenge Question # 2
  3. In the body of the message, relate Thoreau words to your experiences.

  Don't Forget!
  Please include the name of your school and your location so we can credit you properly for your answers.

  The Next Ice-Out Update Will be Posted on March 7, 1997