Pencils, paper, classrooms and new schedules…When you think of the first day back to school, what comes to mind? For some 40 high school students, their first day was anything but typical: ninth through twelfth graders at Mount Madonna School (MMS) toted sleeping bags and swimsuits. The occasion? Three days of whitewater rafting, camping and teamwork along Northern California’s rugged American River.
“Mount Madonna School starts the year by expanding the concept of the classroom,” commented teacher and trip leader Chelsea Otterness. “We have the wonderful opportunity to warm up to each other and break the ice amidst the beautiful California landscape. Chaperones, all from the high school faculty, get to know the students in a natural setting, free from the usual curriculum-focused agendas. This week is crucial for building relationships, as we see how this new high school group functions as a whole. Our senior class has been exceptional; through their kindness and dedication to their leadership roles, they set the tone, and the other grades naturally follow suit. As adults, we didn’t need to over-manage the students because they understood the objectives, knew their personal responsibilities, and shared our common goals.
“For new students, transitioning to a new school, especially as freshmen, can feel overwhelming,” she continued. “However, this team-building experience – through cooking meals together, cleaning shifts, games, river time and bonding on rafts with diverse groups – brings everyone closer. Shared experiences like this create lasting memories. Students can look back on how they’ve grown over the years, overcoming fears and eventually leading the trip as seniors.”
Over the course of the trip, students build connections across the grades through shared responsibilities to the broader group, as well as fun and playful creativity.
“Mount Madonna School has a sense of community that brings a brighter spirit to our educational system,” said teacher and trip chaperone Luis Hernandez. “What a great way for students to bond with their peers through an adventure at the beginning of the year. The rafting trip brings everyone closer together and builds excitement for the challenges ahead!”
Students at Mount Madonna are supported in becoming caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers, who are prepared to meet challenges with perseverance, creativity and integrity. The school offers a well-rounded academic program that meets the highest standards of college preparedness, an exceptional performing arts program, athletics, visual arts and philosophy classes. The travel-study program provides academic enrichment, opportunities for leadership, self-discipline, reflection and critical thinking.
While MMS’ high school program is highly successful in terms of the universities that its graduates attend, the school’s definition of success is not limited to this accomplishment, and also includes how prepared its graduates are to achieve their goals and work effectively with others in service to society.
“The ‘big rocks’ or goals of the rafting trip were set out by the students at the beginning of the trip as ‘being safe, building community and having fun’,” said PK McDonald (’04), a longtime MMS teacher and trip chaperone. “At the end of the trip every student felt that it was a resounding success. Students had to work together to face their fears, prepare meals, welcome new students and to set intentions for the upcoming year. It was great to see the students ‘lock in,’ and work together to navigate daunting challenges, such as Tunnel Shoot and Chunder Falls. This trip sets the tone for the year of facing challenges boldly and finding strength in the support and cooperation of the community around you.”
