Adventure Camp

During the first week of May I accompanied my students as well as the 6th and 7th graders from my school to an adventure camp in Tandil, Argentina. The camp was called Rancho de Popy. So that I don't need to repeat myself, this is what I wrote for our school website about the trip:

The decision to take the 5th-7th grade students to Rancho de Popy in Tandil was a great choice. We (students and teachers) all enjoyed our time there. The ranch was clean, professional and safe and the staff at the ranch was very organized and took good care of us. While at the ranch, we participated in various zip lines, a Tibetan bridge and other ropes courses. We were able to go fishing and canoeing and the students even cooked their own lunch over a fire one afternoon. There were evening and night games as well as a camp fire. A popular activity of the group was the opportunity to rappel off a 30 meter wall. Many of us (myself included) were nervous and scared to try the rappel, especially when we were standing on the edge about to go down. However, it was a lot of fun and got our adrenaline pumping. The fun outweighed the fear in the end. At the close of our trip we hiked up to the top of a high hill where we could see the entire valley below and Tandil off to the side. It was a beautiful view and a wonderful way to end the trip. While we were all exhausted and ready to come home, we are all even more ready to return next year for more adventure activities.

I observed students open up to other students and build friendships that they may otherwise have not built. Now that we've been back to school for a week, I noticed the friendships continuing. One of the biggest successes of the trip was one of my students. He didn't really want to go, but was strongly encouraged by his father. This student does not speak Spanish or English very well and would rather not speak as much as possible. He often times will withdraw from a group and observe instead of participate. On the trip he sat with several of the boys during meal times and communicated with gestures. This past week at school I've noticed more confidence in him and he is more willing to communicate (maybe not always verbally) with his classmates. If it was only for this student, then Rancho de Popy was a success!

My favorite activity was when we went rappelling. I was really scared and almost didn't go - but the second time down was much better and it felt good to have accomplished something that made me uncomfortable. I also enjoyed the various zip lines and taking just over 900 pictures!  (check out a small selection of them here) I was glad that the teachers were allowed to participate in the activities as well - I can't wait for next year. :)

5 more weeks of school - they will be a whirlwind and then my family will be here for 10 days. I'm not looking forward to the goodbyes that will be said in the near future, but my family's visit will be exciting!

Back to school work.
-kait