3 Days Camping in the Berkshires
As the school year comes to a close, teachers begin looking ahead to next year and the transition for our students. In preparation, our faculty planned a camping trip for the sixth and seventh grades to the Berkshires, intending to establish a bond between these two classes who will work together frequently in the coming year. During the trip, the group spent the day at the Ramblewild high-ropes course for an adventurous challenge.
As the expedition leader and head of the Outdoor Education program, Rob Palmer had a key perspective to share. “Everyone showed up with an amazing attitude, an incredible spirit, and a willingness to persevere through challenges. Each student was given a ‘big job.’ They took on great responsibility and ownership for their work. On our trips, we begin each transition with a circle where we share logistics, process events of the day, prepare for the next activity, and reconnect as a group– they are a place for reflection, gratitude, and vulnerability. Our final circle today was the finest example of what these transitions can be. During the circle, the students were asked to reflect on what they learned on this trip. Here are a few highlights:
“It’s gonna work out.“
“Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.“
“Manage your expectations.“
“Trust the process.”
“Be in the moment.”
“Be glad for the opportunity.“
“Don’t underestimate the challenge or your ability to meet it.”
“Have fun and gratitude.”
“If something scares, you just try it.”
“Be nice to everyone.”
Our parent support team’s skills complemented each other perfectly. Chaperones Jen Zahorchak and Glenn Etter’s years of outdoor experience helped to create educational and meaningful moments throughout the trip. Glenn led nature awareness hikes and a great swim. Jen led a night-vision science activity. Jen reflected on the trip: “What a gift to spend three days adventuring with our students! To a person, they were open, engaged, brave, generous, and fun! The Ramblewild ropes course was certainly a high point. More than once I teared up watching them be their best selves and celebrate each other along the way.
“One of the Ramblewild staff members (a young man studying education at Champlain College in Burlington!), went out of his way to tell me how impressed he was with our kids. He’s been guiding there a couple of years and said he noticed that our group was particularly polite, capable, and tuned in to one another. He also remarked on how they were all so confident in themselves. He noted that each of them was comfortable with their own level of risk, not needing to “one-up” or outdo each other, but self-aware enough to make their own decisions about how far to push themselves.”
Sixth grade teacher Garrett Kimberly shared his gratitude for our dedicated parent chaperones. “Trip leaders Peter Pelaia and Julie Bibleheimer were pillars of warmth and joviality. They were models of what it means to find joy in one’s work and were absolute magnets for the student’s admiration. Peter led the fire brigade, reminding me of some ancient fire deity. Julie led team water (a job that required rather a lot of physical strength—lugging many gallons of water a fair distance). She too was reminiscent of a god—Demeter perhaps. I hope my hyperbola doesn’t read as mere flattery. They were all among the finest team members Rob and I have ever worked with.”
After the three-day camping trip and ropes course adventure, this group of next year’s middle school students came home having built trust and found delight in one another, and looking forward to the next challenges they will tackle together.
Photos by ZVD Photography.
