Upper School Students Build Connections on Outdoor Education Trips

Derby’s Outdoor Education trips have taken place for over a decade (at least!) and are a beloved tradition early in the school year for our Upper School students.

This year, Grade 6 embarked on a day trip for a few exhilarating hours of team-building activities in the woods. Students split into small groups had to work together to complete various tasks such as getting to one side of a giant jump rope at the same time, stepping on numbered tiles as quickly as possible in a particular order, and passing four stuffed animals back and forth across a group at one time! These games are designed to teach students the importance of clear communication, listening to each other, and embracing your own potential to be an Authentic Leader. At the end of the day, students were invited to climb a high ropes course in the trees. Regardless of how high each student decided to go, they were cheered on by their classmates and built new connections as they challenged themselves individually.

Grade 7’s overnight trip was a wonderful bonding experience! Students were up early and went to bed late, spending most every minute outside. Their experiences included hiking, frog catching, fire making, epic Gaga Ball Pit sessions, and acting out what happens to trash once thrown away (with an Emmy-worthy performance by Mr. Kleberg as “Baby Bird!”) A highlight was hearing the class belt out solid versions of hit songs during our night time quiet sing. The counselors had wonderful things to say about our students and expressed a hope to have us back for even longer.

During Grade 8’s three-day trip, students participated in a variety of team-building and communication challenges, outdoor skills education, and events like the campfire and night sings. Students had a great time, forged new connections with some classmates while strengthening those with others, and spent quality time with their advisors, all of whom were impressed by the students’ positive spirit and willingness to embrace challenges.