Embarking upon my first Fall Trip with my co-leader, Jim Connor, I was not sure what to expect. Not only was I facing a backpack weighing in excess of 30 pounds, a six mile hike to our campsite, and a forecast for nasty weather, but also nine students from grades 7 to 12. I wondered how these eleven people, thrown together in a way that only Ben Brock can come up with, would fare over the three days.

During the drive to Stanley, one Grade 11 student told me that what he really liked about these trips was that, “You get to see what’s inside people.”

Well, we were hit with rain starting around midnight on Wednesday night. And it continued throughout our only full day in camp, Thursday. By Thursday afternoon, we were cold and wet, and had plenty of reason to be cranky, but thanks to some exemplary fire-making skills and great attitudes, we had a truly memorable time. (We also were thankful we didn’t get snowed upon, as some of the other groups were!)

During our trip, I learned there were some amazing things “inside” of our students:

Leadership: Our older students carried more than their share of the group supplies, planned and prepared meals, and taught younger students how to cook for 11 using two portable stoves, two pots, and a persnickety lighter.

Teamwork: Everyone pumped water, cleaned pots, took turns drying shoes by the fire, and made sure food was shared fairly.

Risk taking: Students crossed a two-logged bridge over a creek, ate new foods, and extended themselves to other students and adults.

A sense of humor: Our group nickname was “La gente del agua” which roughly translates to “People of the Water.” Students shared stories around the fire and were able to laugh, rather than cry, at our rather wet circumstances.

Problem solving skills: We figured out how and where to suspend a 5×7 tarp that became our community room, we decided where to set up (or move, as I had to) tents so water didn’t flow into them, and resorted to using non-essential pages of our outdoor guide as fire starter.

Compassion: Students waited patiently and offered support for those who struggled with the length of the hike, helped adjust backpacks and tent setups, and shared what was a hot commodity, their dry socks.

And last but not least, a sense of community: When given the choice to stay in their dry(ish) tents in groups of two or three, everyone opted to hang out under our tiny tarp together, everyone cheered as the final hikers made it back to the trailhead, and rain or shine, we knew we were in it together…and would come out of it together.

Truly…there are some great things inside of our students. Submitted by Kathleen Gilton, Administration