ch. 13: Outdoor Activities from Meet Me in the Middle

It is true that outdoor activities build confidence and self-esteem as well as boosting personal anatomy. I remember at least three times a year we would go to the AMC and exploring. Sometimes we would sleep in huts and other times it was just day trips where we’d snowshoe, use compasses to get out of the woods, take hikes, explore trails and investigate trees, plants, animals and rivers. We must teach conformity as well as individuality so group building exercises and individual reflections are a key to successful outdoor learning. I don’t really see it feasible to go camping all the time or feel that it would be approved, but maybe once a year for an end of the year activity it would work. The build-up of day trips would allow it to be integrated with all content areas and the camp week would be the reward. Because, I am not very mathematical or scientific all the activities I like have to do with finding self, artistic aspects and English. Surviving nature and outdoor problem solving help students get grounded so I feel with these activities students will learn the things they need to learn to be individuals and also conform to work together. Creature features and sketching just seems way to fun to not include in the camping trip. Parental support and chaperones are needed to have any field trip be a success. Not to disagree with Wormeli, but overall, I feel a “camping trip” may not be totally do-able, but instead we could have several day trips throughout the year where we focus on different activities, different content and different ethical reasons. I really like the idea of “giving back” by doing a service project on one of the trips. Outdoor Adventures help students become grounded and even if it rains they can be memorable if you prepare enough.