Pen pals meet in person at Kershaw-Ryan State Park

Fifth-grade students from Pahranagat Valley Elementary School and Panaca Elementary School brought a year of letter writing to life on April 30, meeting face-to-face during a field trip to Kershaw-Ryan State Park.

Arriving at the park around 10 a.m. and returning to their schools by 2 p.m., students spent the day connecting with the pen pals they had been corresponding with throughout the school year. Once introductions were made, the groups quickly settled into easy conversation, laughter and shared excitement.

The day was organized into rotating group activities, allowing students to both learn and explore. During one of the highlights, Ethan Mower, park ranger and park supervisor, led students on a guided hike. He taught them about the different plant life along the trail, pointed out where the park’s natural spring runs and emphasized the importance of protecting the environment.

“Leave only footprints and take only pictures so everyone who comes after you can enjoy the same beauty,” Mower told the students.

Along the trail, students used activity packets designed to engage all their senses — recording what they saw, heard, felt, and smelled — before reflecting through writing and sketching. They explored plant life, including scorpion weed, known for its curled buds resembling a scorpion’s tail, evening primrose and crushed sagebrush to experience its distinct scent.

Students also learned about the park’s rich history. Established in 1926, Kershaw-Ryan is one of Nevada’s earliest state parks, alongside Valley of Fire State Park and Cathedral Gorge State Park. They heard how the park became a full-service destination in 1961 before a devastating flash flood in 1984 destroyed much of the area. After years of reconstruction, the park reopened in 1997 and now welcomes an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 visitors each year.

Additional activities included a leaf comparison station featuring silver leaf maple, bigtooth maple and Gambel oak, as well as a “circle view” exercise using a piece of string to focus on and sketch small sections of nature. Scavenger hunts, coloring and creative reflection added to the experience.

The pen pals shared lunch, bringing meals from home or their school, and exchanged information to continue communicating beyond the classroom. The afternoon also included time for hiking, running, laughing and even a game of T-ball, giving students the opportunity to simply enjoy one another’s company.

By the end of the day, what began as letters between classrooms had grown into genuine friendships. The field trip not only strengthened writing and communication skills but also created lasting memories, making it a meaningful and memorable experience for all involved.