Along the Pond: Disconnecting and Reconnecting
With open skies, in a uniquely safe location with a welcoming calm pond lying before them, a small group of MPA students and Faculty explored the possibilities and created a space of their own during a three day overnight stay in Maine. The therapeutic experience was designed to blend outdoor recreational activities and learning – to “disconnect” from the busy ‘real’ world and to “reconnect” with others and the serene surroundings.
For MPA students and MPA Faculty members Rebekah Crane, Sean Conley, Betzimarie Marlowe, the planning and preparation began with Mike Adamkowski and his crew at Upper Valley Stewardship Center. Pre-trip icebreaker group activities including time on the ropes course to facilitate team building. During lessons, the students were reminded of the location, duration, and camping expectations for the trip. Working together to load the vehicles brought the group together before setting out for the destination some 4 hours away.
Camping produces a wonderful assortment of educational opportunities. For kids, time spent engaged in hands-on activities is time spent learning and is one of the reasons MPA’s Experiential Programs are so valuable. They facilitate experiences that are built around kids learning new things.
In addition to having some plain ol’ fun, MPA students practiced teamwork, respect for the environment, tolerance and self-regulation, and cooperative social skills while enjoying a large variety of activities in the great outdoors.
The days around the pond included fishing, cooking, hiking, tying knots, fire-starting, safety, first aid and much more. Each of these skills was part of the experience of the trip. Add in scouting for tent and hammock locations, watersports, shared meals, kayaking, campfires, games, wood chopping and splitting, badminton, and paddleboarding, and it is hard to believe it was 3-day excursion!
During dinners, expertly prepared by designated camp chef and MPA Faculty member Sean Conley, the students discussed group and individual goals therapeutically while reflecting on and planning the next day’s responsibilities and activities.
A movie in the pavilion was followed by a campfire complete with far too many s’mores and the required comradery and storytelling that recounted the day’s events.
MPA Faculty wanted the boys to have a memento to bring home with them from this camp experience. Customizing their own pond tie-dye shirts was an activity each student loved and was a group activity lauded by all involved.
To say this trip was successful is an understatement. The group successfully discovered new swimming spots, camping areas, and identified other points of interest for further exploration for future groups. The experience that the pond provided was exceptional and beyond their initial expectations. It was evident from the student’s reactions that this experience allowed MPA students to find solace and normalcy in chaos and excitement. They were proud to be there, happy to be there with each other, and excited for their inevitable return.
MPA Faculty and Students with their Tie-dye Shirts share the view.
Mount Prospect Academy is excited to see how this camp experience will grow and provide continued benefits to our students.
