8th Grade Leadership Camp

During the second week of school, the Class of 2011 took their turn at Leadership Camp.

Students challenged themselves and each other to work together, to plan and execute activities, to dig deep and find their strength, and most importantly, to push themselves way out of their comfort zones and live to tell about it.

Here’s what they had to say:

“When other people wobble, it makes us all fall.”

“Can you give us a little more leeway now that you’ve blinded us?”

“Why did we want to cross this bridge in the first place?”

The teachers also contributed their energy, patience, flexibility, and individual gifts to make Leadership Camp a success. They nudged the students towards taking responsibility for their own community, and as a result, saw leadership qualities emerge from students who, in school, are on the quiet side.

Students felt confident about themselves after tackling the high ropes course, and it was fascinating to see what our students are able to accomplish when given the chance to lead their peers without adult input!

Many of the lessons learned at camp will continue throughout the year. Advisors know the power of later reminding individual students about the brilliant moments we observed, such as, one boy encouraging another to try the high ropes course and another student speaking up in the big group about having trouble trusting. Teachers also plan to harness the students’ enthusiasm for leading assemblies and bring it as their next—perhaps on-going—leadership challenge at school.

What a wonderful way for our students to demonstrate to themselves and to their younger classmates how to lead graciously. We are very proud of them. We are off to a great start!

7th Grade Geology Trip

The 7th Grade traveled to Vantage last week to learn more about the geology and renewable power sources of Washington State.

The students ate lunch high above the Columbia River and were able to observe the consecutive basalt flows that occurred numerous times over geologic time.  Students walked down to the Indian petroglyphs and had a chance to draw one or two.

From there the group crossed the Columbia River, past the Running Horses Monument, and were dropped off in a beautiful sagebrush-filled basin surrounded by the giant basalt columns known as the Feathers. After a brief introduction by the instructors from Passages Northwest and BOLD (Boys Outdoor Leadership Development – a division of the YMCA), the large group split into advisories. Mr. Estill, Ms. Jenner and Ms. Rutledge, as experienced Passages Northwest instructors, joined us for this portion of our adventure.

After setting up their tents and equipped with rock-climbing shoes, harnesses, and helmets, students were led to the base of the Feathers to begin Rock Climbing 101. Using Mr. Crafts, Ms. Preib and others as guinea pigs, the instructors demonstrated proper technique and communication especially for belaying.

As dusk approached, we had dinner and some played a rousing game of “Where’s My Fishie” while others visited or hiked.

By trip’s end, each advisory was a tight-knit group. Students came away from this experience ready to support one another through future challenges and adversity – much like they did through the challenge of climbing the Feathers.

The four hours of rock-climbing went by so quickly that even the tired students wanted more when it came time for the final “good-bye” circle.

In the circle, many of the 7th Grade students expressed their gratitude for the adventure and those that made it happen. More than half mentioned “trust” as a defining word for the day. Many explained that their deeper understanding of “trust” would easily spill over into their lives at school and at home. And while talking to a handful on the bus ride home, many of the 7th Grade students simply wanted more rock. Awesome.