Outdoor Trip Groups

Editor's Note: This article was written in response to a work written by Isabel J. Isabel expressed her opinion that outdoor trip groups should be chosen, highlighting that students would experience less fear and more comfort when their friends are with them on outdoor trips. Here's what Ms. Block has to say.

My goal for the outdoor program has always been to help students have the most positive experience possible on their outdoor trips. I want students to have fun, to push themselves, to try new things, to learn something new, and to take some risks. Part of that risk taking is pushing yourself socially to make new friends, and get to know some new people. Amazing friendships can be formed while on a trip like this, if you give people a chance to get to know you, and for you to get to know them. The bonding that can happen is so strong.

When I was in 7th grade I signed up for a trip a bit like this, and didn’t know anyone. I was so so nervous and so so scared – but I had the best time! And one of those new friends I met on that trip, Catie? She became my best friend. And still is to this day 25 years later. That trip was a formative trip for me in so many ways because it not only introduced me to an amazing person and friend I still have in my life today, but it also introduced me to how awesome it is to spend an extended period of time with peers out in the wilderness.

But don’t just take my word for it, here are some comments from other Lakeside students regarding their outdoor trips from this past year:

“I loved getting to know people outside of my grade or typical friend groups! We were able to bond through our shared challenges and triumphs, whether or not we would ever share classes or extracurriculars.”

“I think just being around a group of people so different from who I normally surround myself at Lakeside was itself a risk, one that I'm so glad I took. I learned so much from the people I got to know on the trip, and always greet them whenever I see them around at school :)”

Nobody wants you to feel scared, tired and alone on an outdoor trip! That’s definitely not my goal, or the goals of your teachers, who help me make the trip groups. We want you to stretch yourself, be supported, and have fun! We spend a lot of time making the trip groups, and it’s not easy! Sorting an entire grade into 9 or 10 different trips, making sure there is a balance of genders, taking into account what trip they are on and how challenging it is, keeping in mind any religious, dietary, or medical conditions that might affect a student’s placement, who the trip leaders are; it’s a giant jigsaw puzzle to piece it all together!

There are a lot of reasons why we don’t allow students to choose their own groups, but the main one is that we want the trips to be the most successful for ALL students. Do we always get it right? I’m sure we don’t. These exact combinations of students have never been together before, and we don’t always know exactly how it will go! We do try really hard though, to create the best possible groups, that will create the most success for as many students as possible.

If you’re feeling really nervous about the upcoming outdoor trips, please reach out and talk to me, or your advisor, or one of your teachers. We are all here to help! And remember the advice of one of your fellow Lakeside students from a trip last year:

“Approach this trip with an open mind and really don't be afraid to put yourself out there to have fun!”