- Tim Breen, Ph.D., Head of School
We are excited for our students to return tomorrow from backpacking and camping trips!
Every year I get to go out for a night with one of the orientation backpacking groups. I truly look forward to it each time. This year was no exception. I got to hike up to Forest Lake (in the James Peak Wilderness) with Eric’s advisory.
Here’s what I love about these trips:
They help students see that their actions, their contributions truly affect others. In small, self-sufficient groups, this is more clear than ever.
They help students expand their view of themselves — they often find they have deeper resources of strength, persistence, and patience than they thought they did.
They help students expand their view of each other. On trips like these, we learn a lot about each other — our interests and our quirks, the strengths we bring, and the burdens we carry.
They help students more clearly see their place in the world. Their eyes are truly opened to the breadth and depth of nature — from the pristine lakes, to the bull moose walking through camp, to the countless stars in the sky overhead.
Perhaps one of my favorite parts of the trips is the way group members come together to help one another. If someone is having a hard day on the trail, we often split up some of their gear to lighten their load, to make their path that day a bit smoother. This happens so easily because of the two things: the compassion of those carrying some extra gear and the courage of those who accept the help.
This is how we build community.
