Second graders from Candler Elementary School recently stepped into a storybook setting as they traveled to the North Carolina Arboretum for a field trip that was equal parts adventure, imagination, and outdoor learning.
As students made their way along the winding forest path, excitement grew with every turn. Towering above them, the larger-than-life wooden trolls - crafted from natural and recycled materials - felt like something straight out of a fairy tale. Gasps quickly turned into wide smiles as students spotted the first troll tucked among the trees.
The field trip wasn’t just about seeing the impressive sculptures. It became a hands-on learning experience that connected art, nature, and storytelling. Students observed the textures of the wood, talked about how the trolls were built, and discussed how artists can use natural materials to create something magical. Teachers encouraged young explorers to look closely at their surroundings, noticing leaves, branches, and patterns in nature that mirrored the details in the sculptures.
Curiosity led the way as students asked questions, shared their own troll stories, and imagined what the forest might look like if the trolls came to life after visitors left. Laughter echoed down the trails as classes paused for photos, sketched what they saw in notebooks, and enjoyed lunch surrounded by the beauty of the Arboretum.
For these Candler Elementary second graders, the trolls were more than sculptures - they were a doorway into imagination, discovery, and the joy of learning beyond the classroom walls.
