The Mansfield Trip

Here are a few photos from the Mansfield trip which by all accounts was a total success. Kids said they truly enjoyed the trip. We had cool weather and then brutally hot weather but fun was had by all. Some students slept outside on the final night on their porches. The stars were awesome that night. Thanks so much to the students for making it such a fun trip your laughter certainly brought me joy.

Investigating creatures at the pond

Searching the whole pond

Playing Instincts for Survival in the woods

Playing Hucklebuckle

Low Ropes Activities in the Barn

Getting Right in the Pond

Foot to Butt in Huckle Buckle

The Pond is filled with Tadpoles and Newts

Teachers were hunters during Instincts

Grade 7 and 8 Overnight Trip to Mansfield Outdoor Centre

So students are about to embark on a three day, two night trip to Mansfield Outdoor Centre, which is located just 1 hour from Toronto in the beautiful area of Mulmur. Students will be staying in the cabins at the Main building and will be participating in a variety of outdoor based activities. Essentially, our students will be coming to a traditional kind of summer camp, only we're going during the school year.

I believe strongly in the value of getting kids outside and having them experience nature, learn and be connected with their world. Once you get them outside and experiencing and learning they love it and become even more curious. Richard Louv author of the "Last Child in the Woods", discusses the importance of kids gaining independence and getting outside.

These types of activities are so important for our kids. Firstly, many of our kids never get to come to a place like Mansfield and experience the outdoors. So many of my city kids have no idea what it's like to spend 24/7 outdoors, in nature.

When we come here kids  get an opportunity to explore the nature. We give them freedom within a set of boundaries. For instance, during free time kids can go and explore the area as long as they see the main building at all times. This rule allows kids to explore approximately a 4 or 5 acre area while still being within eyesight of our home base. The kids play soccer, basketball, volleyball, etc. They explore the fields. I make the rule that students can climb trees as long they stay on branches that are thicker than their wrist. The reality is they never really get very far off the ground but it feels like a huge freedom. So many of them have never climbed trees before. Last year we taught a group to make a horn noise by blowing on thick pieces of grass. Some of them were so entertained by this they spent the whole week playing with grass horns.

The programs we participate in are also extremely valuable. Kids, participate in pond study, where they investigate pond creatures, or they complete orienteering maps and explore the forest. They learn about nature through experiential education.

I'm truly looking forward to this trip and can't wait to see what happens.

Grade 7 Leadership Program

At the end of April 50 of our grade 7's will be participating in the R. H. Lagerquist Leadership Learning Program. This fun and engaging program selects students in grade 7 who have displayed strong leadership skills or the potential to be strong leaders and gives them an opportunity to attend a unique Outdoor Experiential Leadership Program. We will be taking a group of students Finlayson Outdoor Centre to participate in the Challenge Ropes Course. Finlayson is a Peel District School Board alternative learning site. All staff are certified teachers and hold specialist certifications in running a challenge course. The activities are fully insured and safety inspected each year.

The Challenge Ropes Course is an exciting, dynamic way to introduce or strengthen the concepts of team work, cooperation, goal setting and many other personal growth goals which students will identify in a preliminary session here at school. Finlayson uses the Challenge by Choice approach which enables each participant to experience their own success in the context of their own aspirations. On the ropes course, the greatest gains are rarely measured in terms of the number of feet climbed. And that in all the team building adventures, everyone has a role to play. The high ropes elements are up in the trees so the perceived risk is high, but actual risk is low. Participants walk across cable bridges, or negotiate giant ladders through the trees as they overcome personal fears and develop new self confidence.

The students will spend part of their morning discussing why they are there and what they hope to accomplish, then it's into the climbing gear and up to the Course they  go.  The Challenge Ropes Course has 10 high element challenge activities set in the forest overlooking the property.  Challenge activities will be based on the group goals.  It is an excellent experience for adventure seekers or the timid, shy student. This is an extremely unique opportunity which will enrich a students understanding of their strengths and areas in which they can improve their leadership skills. 

The cost of trip is 20$ to students. The trip has been subsidized by the school bringing the overall price down by 50%. The cost of busing for this trip was very high due to the extended day but we believe in the value of an opportunity like this and felt that this was an effective item to spend some of the school's money on. We will certainly update people on the student's progress and the outcomes of the trip.