Beyond the Classroom: Experiential Learning at Manitou
When the Grade 7s return from their annual fall excursion to Camp Manitou, a unique energy surrounds them. This excursion is more than “a couple of fun days in the woods.” Real growth happens when students are actively engaged, connected to one another, and reflecting upon their individual roles within the larger group. In short, this community experience is a powerful opportunity to live out the school’s approach to experiential learning.
The outdoors invites the boys to stretch their comfort zone and connect with their peers in a supportive and challenging environment. Whether it’s finding the courage to take on the climbing wall or working together towards the successful creation of a campfire, the boys’ participation in each activity requires their full presence.
At Manitou, we explored lessons of stewardship, not only of the physical environment, but also of our school community. This extended into the notion that all of us, just as the individual parts of an ecosystem, are reliant on and responsible to one another. The words from these lessons were put into practice as we activated our learning during the “Survival Game”. Students played unique roles within a larger simulated ecosystem and reflected upon the delicate balance of nature and the individual functions that each part of the ecosystem plays in maintaining its balance and health.
This concept of shared connections was emphasized at the campfire the Grade 7s enjoyed together with the Grade 9s on the final evening of our journey. Listening to our former Middle School students share their wisdom about the Middle School experience with the Grade 7s reinforced our school’s unique bond. Experiences like this reinforce how, even across grades and divisions, Crescent boys are connected through relationships that underscore the responsibility they have for one another.
These moments of trust and relationship-building will extend well into this school year and beyond. It prepares our boys to be active participants in a community that grows stronger through stewardship and cooperative interdependence.
