Here we go again!
Last year I wrote that I have been to Spruce Lake for ten years. I lied. This year marks my
twelfth year chaperoning this trip. Somehow I have lost a year. It was probably 2012 when my son
Noah was born on Oct. 15th and Superstorm Sandy hit a couple of weeks later. Anyways, I have
done this trip a lot and every year it is little different. Not better or worse, just different. Each student
and chaperone brings a different dynamic to the trip and the staff at Spruce Lake slightly changes every
year. I also like the fact that Spruce Lake is a common thread that binds our student community,
past and present. We have siblings that are separated by years but share a bond over their
experience on Jacob’s Ladder.
twelfth year chaperoning this trip. Somehow I have lost a year. It was probably 2012 when my son
Noah was born on Oct. 15th and Superstorm Sandy hit a couple of weeks later. Anyways, I have
done this trip a lot and every year it is little different. Not better or worse, just different. Each student
and chaperone brings a different dynamic to the trip and the staff at Spruce Lake slightly changes every
year. I also like the fact that Spruce Lake is a common thread that binds our student community,
past and present. We have siblings that are separated by years but share a bond over their
experience on Jacob’s Ladder.
Here is something I wrote a couple years ago but feel it is still relevant today:
WHY SPRUCE LAKE?
Or for that matter, why have an outdoor, overnight field trip at all?
Having attended traditional public schools my whole life, this is a question I could envision myself
asking when I was younger.
asking when I was younger.
Other questions that would have popped into my head:
- Are they really learning anything?
- Couldn't they use this time to do more educational things?
- Isn't this trip just an excuse to play?
I don't know if anyone has these questions or if this blog post addresses or answers any of them,
but I will write what I know.
Being Present
If you are like me, technology is a part of your life. Smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc are all wonderful
tools and capable of amazing things. However, it is also able to draw us away from being
present and fully engaged. This is probably doubly true for our middle schoolers who have
grown up with all this technology. So by disconnecting them from the "digital world, we are
challenging them and teaching them to be present in this one.
tools and capable of amazing things. However, it is also able to draw us away from being
present and fully engaged. This is probably doubly true for our middle schoolers who have
grown up with all this technology. So by disconnecting them from the "digital world, we are
challenging them and teaching them to be present in this one.
Being Present with Others
The climbing wall, the challenge course and the high ropes course are just a few of the times students
The climbing wall, the challenge course and the high ropes course are just a few of the times students
will have the opportunity to help and encourage one another. Besides being present in the now, we
want our students to be present with others. We want them to understand that to be a part of a
community requires engagement with everyone involved. The different courses and "games" presented
by Spruce Lake give our students this opportunity. One of my fondest memories of this trip is seeing
our students tackle the high ropes course and overcome their fears and anxiousness with help of their
classmates.
want our students to be present with others. We want them to understand that to be a part of a
community requires engagement with everyone involved. The different courses and "games" presented
by Spruce Lake give our students this opportunity. One of my fondest memories of this trip is seeing
our students tackle the high ropes course and overcome their fears and anxiousness with help of their
classmates.
Being Present with Others and with God
Spruce Lake gives our students (and our chaperones) the chance to step away from our day to day urban
setting and enjoy nature. This goes beyond just appreciating the flora and fauna of the Poconos. It
involves learning about how to take care of the environment and how as humans and especially as
christians we are called to be caretakers of God's creation. It involves appreciating the presence of God in
the beauty of the sunset and in the amazing clarity of the night sky. It involves being present with others
and with God.
setting and enjoy nature. This goes beyond just appreciating the flora and fauna of the Poconos. It
involves learning about how to take care of the environment and how as humans and especially as
christians we are called to be caretakers of God's creation. It involves appreciating the presence of God in
the beauty of the sunset and in the amazing clarity of the night sky. It involves being present with others
and with God.
Here are some logistical details as well as an overarching purpose for our yearly trip to Spruce Lake.
Please read the following points carefully.
Please read the following points carefully.
Your child should arrive at school as usual- by 8:09. Each student should have a sleeping bag or warm blanket and pillow enclosed in a garbage bag and clearly labelled. Your child will not have access to luggage until late at night, we will go through several activities in the cold, possibly wet outdoors. Please be sure your child is dressed accordingly. Check the "What to Bring" List (found at the bottom of the post) as you are helping your child pack, and do not hesitate to e-mail us if you have a question.
Our projected schedule is busy. Our days will be filled with intriguing team building challenges, outdoor adventure courses, activities and classes. We will be tired by the time that we return on Friday. We plan to be back at the school at 4pm on Friday.
As Middle School teachers, we eagerly anticipate this trip each year and know that in students, this
causes much excitement, but also can cause anxiety. We pray that each student would experience a
deep sense of love and community as we spend these three days together.
causes much excitement, but also can cause anxiety. We pray that each student would experience a
deep sense of love and community as we spend these three days together.
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 of 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.
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.