REFLECTIONS: STUDENT REFLECTIONS: Ou��oor E�uca�ion

Outdoor Education is an important part of a Southridge student’s experience. Students learn to appreciate and understand their natural environment through experience while developing the skills and attitudes required to both enjoy and excel in the outdoors. The program’s goal is to support students in acquiring the knowledge and values that support their development as global, environmentally aware citizens, and responsible stewards of the planet.

Here are some reflections from students on their outdoor education experiences during the 2022-23 school year.

HOW HAS YOUR OUTDOOR EDUCATION EXPERIENCE BEEN THIS YEAR?

I participated in the Juan de Fuca backpack and Howe Sound kayak trips. These two trips were both two-night outdoor trips, the perfect chance to make great memories with friends and people who I didn’t really know but who loved the same things as me. Southridge outdoor ed trips are always so amazingly planned and so fun to participate in. The teachers are passionate about what they do and the trips themselves are so challenging and exhilarating.

I really enjoyed my outdoor education experience this year. Going to camp and learning how to canoe and build a fire was really cool. It was fun to spend almost a week with my classmates just playing outdoors and getting to learn these new outdoor skills.

I was really happy to be able to go back to overnight trips for outdoor ed this year. I am in Grade 8, so I attended Strathcona Adventure program for a week. We had amazing weather so that always makes camp more fun. We stayed in cabins at Strathcona and participated in rock climbing, a nature hike and did low and high ropes courses.

My Outdoor Education experience this year was amazing! We went to Camp Summit in Valley Road, Squamish. All the staff were super friendly and helpful. Camp this year was different for the Grade 7’s because it was our first year going to camp.

WHAT WAS THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU LEARNED DURING THE OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM?

I learned what nature can do for you. In our daily lives we rely so heavily on technology that the moment we step outside of that realm, we don’t know what to do with ourselves. These trips have helped me to learn to enjoy the quiet moments and to appreciate what nature has to offer.

The most valuable thing I learned was how to collaborate with classmates. When we learned how to canoe, we had to work together so we didn’t just go around and around in circles. I think doing this at the beginning of the year helps you prepare for working on group projects with your classmates.

The best thing about the Strathcona trip was getting to bond with the new students who came to Southridge for Grade 8. I think having a week away outside doing fun activities together was a really good way to get to know each other. I also felt like it was a good chance to get to know some of our teachers better too. Something that I learned on the out trip was that if everyone pitched in, the jobs got done smoothly and quickly and people were happy and had a good time.

One of the most valuable things I learned from going to camp this year was that spending time with your friends in person is really important and fun! I was spending more time around people I don’t usually hang out with and I got to know everyone a lot better. Spending time with my friends was really fun even though I’ve known them for so long, there is still so much to learn about and from them.

DID YOU LEARN ANY NEW SKILLS OR DISCOVER NEW PASSIONS WHILE PARTICIPATING?

Yes! I had never been camping prior to my grade eight year. Now I love backpacking, kayaking, and anything to do with being outdoors has become my passion. I have learned how to fulfill that passion safely. I have learned key skills like backcountry cooking, tent setup, and how to work alongside so many different people.

I learned how to build a fire, canoe, how to make tea from leaves and how to climb some really high ropes. The best part was definitely the fire building. It was really satisfying to build your own fire from scratch.

I’ve always liked rock climbing but I don’t get to do it outside very much, so I really enjoyed doing that. I also really liked learning about the different rock-climbing knots to keep the belays and harnesses safe.

One of the many new skills that I learned was how to ask good questions. We had lots of time to interact with other schools and the camp staff. An example of this would be when we were going on a hike and we would have partners and walk in twos. Every ten minutes, we would switch partners and get different questions to ask them.

WHAT WERE THE HARDEST PARTS/BIGGEST CHALLENGES?

One of the hardest parts was realizing that sometimes it’s more important to listen to yourself and others before over-pushing past what you can physically do. Additionally, I am very much a busy body. Learning to be still or even just to look around and enjoy the moment rather than focusing on the destination had been difficult but proven helpful.

The hardest part was the lead up of having to sleep away from home. I had never been to a summer camp or done anything like that before. The weeks leading up to it I was pretty nervous just because I didn’t know what to expect. It actually ended up being really fun and not bad at all. The teachers and the counsellors were really good and helped us with anything we needed.

The toughest thing for me was eating a mostly vegetarian diet. I love meat and feel like I need meat to help keep me full.

The biggest challenge was remembering that there were other schools there too, not just us.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHERS WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE FUTURE?

Packing appropriately is key to having the best experience. Remember that rain pants may not look good but they are necessary! I think the most important thing is to just go for it and try it out. There’s no better way to see if you like something than by just throwing yourself at it and trying.

Definitely not to worry! Everything I was worried about turned out to be no big deal at all. Try to go in with an open mind! It actually goes by really fast and before you know it you are on the bus coming home. And now I am excited for our Outdoor Experience next year!

The advice I would give is to be open-minded. Be open to trying new activities and while you might feel nervous about being in a cabin or activity group with different people, just know that it’s actually a great way to bond with new people. Use it to your advantage to grow stronger friendships and have fun!

Have fun and don’t stress about things like food because it was all delicious!