Collecting Maple Syrup a Four Corners Tradition
Noah Koziara showing off what his tree produced
By Owen Schilling, 5th Grade – Four Corners Elementary School
Four Corners Elementary is unique in many ways, including placement, age, and staff, but other than that, there’s one very interesting and unique activity that Four Corners does. This activity/event was modified slightly by our 4/5 teachers to make it more academic, but they also understand that this is supposed to be fun as well. Any ideas on what this activity might be?
I’m talking about maple syruping! Almost every year (weather dependent), the fourth graders get a chance to participate in tapping, collecting and measuring our sap, learning some of what’s behind Mother Nature, exercising (obstacles cause a workout), writing in journal, you name it. All of these one-of-a-kind activities were almost all able to be brought from the classroom onto the Burstrom Trail.
 Ashley LeMone, Ava Stratton, and Faren Reed bringing in their sap |
 Tom Burfield boiling off the sap |
 Four Corners students watch as the sap becomes syrup |
Owen Schilling enjoys S’Mores while sap boils
Maddie Kunert drilling a hole to collect the sap
All of this amazingness started by a kind, smart, and respectful man named Mr. Burfield, a home syruper. Mr. Burfield was once a teacher at Four Corners Elementary, bringing his students out to maple syrup as well. When he had to retire, Mrs. Jones was his replacement. Mr. Burfield informed Mrs. Jones that he took his previous students out to syrup. Then he offered to help Mrs. Jones do it. The point is that Mrs. Jones took his offer and that’s why today, Burstrom Trail’s red maple trees are still unitedly holding brand-new blue sap bags and providing us with sap to boil off.
Students drilled, tapped the spile into the tree and then hung their sap bag. Some trees delivered right away and some didn’t. Some trees sap was very watery and some was a little syrupy. With all the differences, everyone was very eager to collect the next day.
 Tom Burfield tends to the sap cook off |
 Kaiden Sullivan enjoys a taste right out of the tree! |
 Four Corners 4th & 5th graders gather around trees to check sap flow |
On collection day, everyone was rushing out to their bags, Miriam and mine were one of the farthest trees from the cooker. Some classmates were betting that they would get their bags ¾ or ½ full.
“I just scoffed because my family has been syruping for at least five years now, so I know that in 24 hours, you are probably not going to get a full bag.”
Although some kids were disappointed, they quickly learned that those things take more time than finishing a quick quiz and that’s part of the fun; learning what to expect from nature. Right now, when people get a ½ bag full, most are very excited.
 Jace Carlson teaching a lesson to the younger students |
 Mrs. Jones teaching a lesson at the cooker on evaporation |
 Tom Burfield giving out taste samples at the cooker |
When we think that we have measured and contained enough, we have a cook-off day. Cook-off day is very fun and we do other things than watch the sap-water evaporate. Today, we learned a few things about Burstrom trail, roasted marshmallows and hot dogs, and then we talk to people of younger grades about our syruping equipment and process. The top of the trees need sap for leaves or buds. The tree needs certain weather conditions to do this. The tree needs to be cold at night, so the sap drops into the spile and then when it warms up, the sap rises because of the “change in pressure.” We learned about all of that, and then we got a fun chance to share it.
Although there’s a lot of learning, maple syruping is really just fun. It’s really fun to get some fresh air, enjoy the wonders of nature. And thanks to Mr. Burfield, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Moon, and Mrs. Fouts, we have the opportunity to have some fun.
And, I am very excited to cook pancakes for Pancake Day, and to share some of our natural creation. Thanks to all of the teachers for making this opportunity possible (WE make the syrup good)!!!!!!
