Spruce Lake Outdoor Education
"It's deja vu all over again" - Yogi Berra
We are once again getting ready for our annual Spruce Lake excursion. Going in the Spring rather than the Fall means the expectations for the trip are different. In the Fall, the trip serves as a way to build a foundation for the rest of the year. Students learn what it means to lead, to serve and to be part of a community. Now that we are going in the Spring and more than half of the year is over, the trip no longer serves as a foundation for this year but rather a capstone as well as a springboard into next year.
Hopes and Dreams
So what specifically do we wish to accomplish with this trip. Besides getting an excellent outdoor education and the opportunity to be up close and personal with nature, students will be spending quality time with each other. The goal is that students of various grades will be able to interact with each other with honesty, grace and love.
So for this year...
the Eighth grade will not only solidify the bonds they have created with each other but establish themselves as role models for the younger students. They will be an example for the upcoming 8th graders of what it means to be gracious leaders and humble servants.
the Seventh grade will learn to look beyond themselves and their grade and realize that in a few short months they will become Eighth graders and therefore the leaders of the whole Middle School. They will learn how to lead by example.
the Sixth grade will learn to work with each other and develop skills to become effective leaders and be able to help next years Sixth graders feel welcomed.
What to Bring
We are once again getting ready for our annual Spruce Lake excursion. Going in the Spring rather than the Fall means the expectations for the trip are different. In the Fall, the trip serves as a way to build a foundation for the rest of the year. Students learn what it means to lead, to serve and to be part of a community. Now that we are going in the Spring and more than half of the year is over, the trip no longer serves as a foundation for this year but rather a capstone as well as a springboard into next year.
Hopes and Dreams
So what specifically do we wish to accomplish with this trip. Besides getting an excellent outdoor education and the opportunity to be up close and personal with nature, students will be spending quality time with each other. The goal is that students of various grades will be able to interact with each other with honesty, grace and love.
So for this year...
the Eighth grade will not only solidify the bonds they have created with each other but establish themselves as role models for the younger students. They will be an example for the upcoming 8th graders of what it means to be gracious leaders and humble servants.
the Seventh grade will learn to look beyond themselves and their grade and realize that in a few short months they will become Eighth graders and therefore the leaders of the whole Middle School. They will learn how to lead by example.
the Sixth grade will learn to work with each other and develop skills to become effective leaders and be able to help next years Sixth graders feel welcomed.
What to Bring
Packing should be kept compact and as light as possible (despite this long list!)
Clothing (Marked with student’s name)
warm jacket
sweater or sweatshirt
3 shirts (including a warm shirt)
2 pair of pants or jeans
3 changes of underwear
6 pair of socks or more
comfortable, practical footwear*
-- waterproof
Old sneakers
1 pair warm pajamas
rain gear (if it rains, we will still be walking outside)
hat, gloves
Layering is a good idea! Pack accordingly!
Personal Items
plastic bag for dirty laundry
Kleenex or handkerchief
toothbrush and toothpaste
soap, comb or hair brush
a washcloth and towel
chapstick
personal hygiene items (liquids should be bottled and bagged securely)
flashlight (marked with name)
Sleeping (Marked with student’s name)
sleeping bag or bedroll (sheets and two blankets.)
pillow (optional)
If your sleeping bag does not have an outside cover, please wrap it in a plastic garbage bag. It needs to be tied securely with rope or heavy twine after the garbage bag is in place.
Don’t Bring !!!
food of any type, gum, candy, jewelry, electronic devices, cameras, pocket knives, cards, toys or games.
*A Note About Shoes
` Do not bring new shoes! We will do a lot
of hiking, and this trip will not be the
occasion to “break in” a new pair.
The older, the better.