Sweet Treat

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RANDOLPH - Second-grade students from Randolph Elementary reaped the benefits of the season last week when they were treated to a tour of the sugar shack at the Randolph Academy.

Built in 2004 and funded by the Finger Lake Service Learning grant to teach students and engage them in service learning, students from David Emley's eighth-grade science class at the academy operate the sugar shack as a part of their studies in a hands-on learning approach.

The project is part of the teaching curriculum for the plant science unit of class. As part of their service to the community, students in Emley's class host a pancake breakfast for the senior citizens that swim at the academy twice a week. They also host tours of the sugar shack operation for students at the Randolph School.

The students of Emley's class chop wood, haul it, split it, and stack it in the summer to use in firing their boiler. Trees are tapped in the beginning of March and when the sap buckets are full the students gather the buckets and carry them to the shack by hand or in the truck. In just one day, students carried fifty gallons to the shack.

Emley stated that the maple syrup is sold to employees, donated to churches, and some given to a local community member who himself donates it to area churches and the food cupboard. Between 100 and 120 trees are tapped on the premises and at local cemeteries, with permission.

Lori DeCarlo, Randolph Academy superintendent, stated that the big focus is to give kids an outdoor experience. She said that the students really take to the outdoor activities provided to students who may not have had exposure to the outdoors under other circumstances.

Boiling down 40 gallons of sap yields 1 gallon of syrup, Tom Shields explained to the second grade students. He also told them that the boiler must be very clean and only certain types of containers may be used to be careful not to absorb other flavors. Shields stated that they are able to produce about four gallons a day.

Emley shared the story of the discovery of maple syrup with students. He stated that it was discovered by Native Americans. The story goes that a Native American threw a hatchet into the tree and the sap oozed out and into her container.

The unexpected discoverer tested it and found that it was good. Native Americans had no metal pots, so it was boiled down in hollowed out logs where hot rocks were dropped into it with sticks. This procedure had to be repeated until the sap was rendered down into syrup.

Students each got a sample of the fresh made maple syrup, along with a coloring book about the process and invention of maple syrup.

Maple Weekend continues this weekend 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.