Hawaii Conference

Unplug, learn, and connect with our Creator: These were the three goals that Hawaiian Mission Academy schools had in mind as principals from three HMA schools planned a re-vamped, threeday Outdoor School for fifth- to eighth-grade students.

Camp Waianae is traditionally used as a summer camp and weekend getaway, but this year principals wanted to give their students a break from the everyday learning routine and bring the classroom outside. So 115 students from HMA Ka Lama Iki, HMA Windward Campus, and Adventist Malama Elementary School pulled into Camp Waianae on a toasty afternoon in November with great excitement and over-stuffed bags.

Students were assigned cabins based on their home school, but they were also coordinated in groups according to their grade level. Staff didn’t want to place students entirely with their regular classmates because they wanted them to get to know their peers from sister schools. “These students will interact soon enough for both sporting events and going into high school,” Principal Sarah Traczyk said. “This was a good way to break the ice. We wanted students to not be concerned about what school someone is from and to just view

each other as HMA students.”

Campers woke up to delicious meals and then participated in non-stop activities all day. Students rotated between seven standardsbased stations. The staff wanted to incorporate learning standards that are difficult to achieve with upper elementary and middle schoolers in the traditional small-school classroom setting. Science stations focused on dissection, astronomy, and health awareness. There were three physical education stations, a drama station focused on performing arts, and two Hawaiian culture stations.

Although the students enjoyed being out in nature, conquering their

fears of bugs, new surroundings, no cell phone reception, and being away from home were all challenges to overcome. “The most encouraging part of planning these stations is the participation of HMA’s community and pastoral programs. Teachers, pastors, interns, and community members from all three schools came together to volunteer their time,” Traczyk stated. The mental and social health of students in grades five to eight is always a concern that principals and teachers face. This Outdoor School trip, though short and sweet, offered the opportunity for teachers and staff to pause and have extra conversations with students by the pool or around the cafeteria tables. The students could interact with staff and peers on a much deeper level than they are able to at school.

Students voted the best part of the week (besides the food) to be the evening worship time under the lights of the tree canopy. Every morning and evening, pastors were called in to share some good old-fashioned campfire stories and worship songs. The theme of these messages for students was based around overcoming fears of the unknown and knowing that God is with them. Students were able to praise God and grow closer to Him under the starry skies of Waianae. HMA principals are hoping to invite more students from the outer islands next year. “We saw how God was helping us plan even the smallest details. He wanted these students to come out and have a new learning experience,” said Hilda Scott, principal at HMA Windward Campus. Outdoor school plans are already in the works for next year. Reflecting on student and staff input will make next year’s Outdoor School even better.