Blog Posts from 2015 Expedition

List of 5 news stories.

  • Outward Bound Day #1: We were all in it together

    ~Matt Norcini, Dean of Student Life

     
    “Camouflage!” Jenna’s cry sent us scurrying in all directions around the woods in search of hiding places. It was early afternoon, we had just arrived at camp, and one of our two Outward Bound facilitators had called for a game of Camouflage—essentially, a forest hybrid of hide-and-go-seek and tag. It was unexpected, simple, and fun. For a few minutes, we were all kids again, and the only thing that was important was finding a good hiding place. 
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  • Outward Bound Day #2: On the Trail

    ~Matt Norcini, Dean of Student Life
     
    It was Day 2, and it was hot. We broke camp earlier than expected and made our way north on the Appalachian Trail for what promised to be a long day of hiking. Our destination was a campsite 11 miles away, and for many of us, it would be the longest hike we had ever made.
     
     
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  • Outward Bound Day #3: That Magic Moment

    ~Matt Norcini, Dean of Student Life
     
    It was raining hard, the temperature was dropping, and our morning hike had turned into a slog. Attempts at trail games and songs were drowned out by the constant patter of rain against the hoods of our rain jackets. The trail turned to a stream, and our boots were soaked through. No one was talking, and at this moment, I’m pretty sure everyone wanted to be home bingeing something on Netflix.
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  • Outward Bound Day #4: A Simple Game

    ~Matt Norcini, Dean of Student Life

    Lines were drawn in the dirt of the forest floor.  The students examined the final tally, and they assessed how far they had come both as individuals and as a group.  While this task wasn’t the most difficult of their first four days together, it was a significant one.  They were given a minute for a quick huddle to discuss strategy for the next round.  After a furious exchange of ideas, the students of G-Unit returned to the starting line and prepared to face the challenge. 
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  • Outward Bound Day #5: The Stories We Tell

    ~Matt Norcini, Dean of Student Life

    It was mid-morning on Day 5, and these were our final hours together. We were back at Fort Washington State Park, and the students were busy cleaning—water bottles, dinner bowls, equipment—the objects that had been so new to us just five days ago but which had, by now, become a part of us, our routine, the things that had provided comfort in the unknown. Sentimentally attached as some might be to these objects, though, I’m pretty sure everyone was ready to wash their food bowls. By the morning of Day 5, those bowls had become a fossil dig through four days of meals.
     
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Archive

A Bonding Experience and Initiation into Upper School

At the start of the school year and before classes begin, all 9th grade students participate in a five-day Outward Bound expedition to the Michaux State Forest in Shippensburg, PA. Outward Bound has more than fifty years of experience, and our partnership with them ensures that the program will be an intentional, safe, and dynamic experience for our students.
 
Outward Bound’s learning approach, one that “emphasizes high achievement through active learning, character development, and teamwork,” is an excellent complement to our existing orientation, advisory, and sports programs that will make the transition to Upper School both easier and more meaningful for our students. The creation of a positive group culture emphasizes compassion, integrity, excellence, and inclusion—the same values we find in every SCH classroom. Outward Bound expeditions are a natural extension of our existing 9th grade program.
2018 Expedition | September 4 through September 8

Important Trip Documents:
Please return medical and release forms to Lynn Gehr, Upper School Assistant.


~ 2019 Student

I learned that even when things are really difficult and I don't think I can do it, I can.
 

- 2019 Parent

Everyone—no matter how long they had or had not been a student at SCH—was put on neutral footing; everyone was taken out of their comfort zone.
 

~ 2019 Parent

It made him feel like he could take on anything—and notably boosted his self-confidence and resilience. He's been able to take more things in stride this year, and I attribute much of that to the Outward Bound trip.
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