Each year, the upper elementary heads out on a fall two-night camping adventure to an area state park. This trip offers valuable experience planning, preparing, and packing, as well as a opportunities to cook meals, explore the area, and bond with peers. Before the camping trip, the students decided on meals and went on a field trip to Wegmans to purchase food. They also explored possible activities available at the park and decided on what they wanted to do and what they needed to bring. This year, at Fairhaven State Park, fishing was one of the shared interests and the students who had fishing supplies brought rods to share!
The annual camping trip helps to solidify the community of older children and strengthens their friendships. The work they do together to plan, pack, set up, and make meals gives them opportunities to take responsibility for the care of their peers. They have many adventures, helping them build respect for each other’s strengths and abilities compassion for each others worries and fears. All of this in the context of a meaningful learning experience of being outside and exploring the natural world! We are thankful to our teaching and administrative teams and the parents and caregivers who support this important opportunity for the older elementary students!