Students from Soaring Heights School State College Campus visited Bear Meadows Natural Area located south of Boalsburg on Friday. The area contains a bog surrounded by steep mountains and hiking trails. The bog, which covers 320 acres, has been forming since the end of the last glacial period 10,000 years ago and is surrounded by an old growth forest of boreal species typically found much farther north. Students hiked and inspected various plants, insect and animal life in the area. Students then wrote about their experiences and how they will preserve the area.