Editor:
    Biddeford Middle School Team 5 students recently participated in an overnight camping experience on Swan Island in Richmond, Maine. Students learned about the history of the island, participated and completed an orienteering course, prepared meals on an open fire and studied animal and plant life indigenous to the island.
    They also enjoyed various team activities and most of all had a great adventure. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our community for all their help and support. First, a warm thank you goes to Team 5 students who motivate us everyday to do our best, Superintendent Sarah-Jane Poli, school board members and Principal Charles Lamonte, who gave us the green light for this endeavor.
    We would also like to thank Mr. Charles Ek, executive director of the Kittery Outdoor Academy, who spent many hours with our students demonstrating outdoor survival skills and conducting a workshop on orienteering and Deputy Chief Marc Bellefeuille of the Biddeford Fire Department for speaking to our students about basic outdoor skills.
    We are grateful to Audrey and Sherry with the Biddeford bus dispatching for arranging buses to transport students and supplies. Our camping trip was a huge success thanks to the following local businesses that provided gift cards or supplies: Keebler’s, Wal-Mart, Hannaford, Shaw’s, Panera Bread, Poland Spring, Tom’s of Maine, Pepsi Cola Company, Corning Costar, Dunkin Donuts, Party Castles and Unum.
    We appreciate the grant provided by Maine Preservation, Mrs. Kenny, Mrs. Bourque, Mr. and Mrs. Crepeau, Mrs. Martens, Mrs. Nightingale, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Rodman, Mr. Fickett and Mr. Doherty.
    To all parents who donated food and water and parents and teachers who chaperoned the trip, thank you so much.
Team 5 Teachers
Biddeford