As I write this, I'm waiting for our students to return from their weXplore, a five-day excursion that takes students beyond their host city for immersive cultural experiences. For the past two months, we as a school have called Maun, Botswana, our home. It's a small town on the edge of the Okavango Delta and, for many travelers, a doorway into Africa. But Maun is only one perspective, and it...
Read MoreAt this time three weeks ago, we were packing up our backpacks or kayaks and beginning an adventure outside of the confounds of the Chewonki Foundation campus in Maine. Judging from the smiles and animated storytelling upon our reunion, I feel confident in saying that everyone learned a lot about themselves and each other during the trip. Our goal for the trip was for the students to engage in a wilderness experience to help build resiliency and leadership skills by struggling through challenges and learning how to plan ahead. Those of us who staffed the trip went in with the intention of stepping back and allowing the students to learn and lead, and, in my opinion, the trip was a success. I can only hope that all of the students feel the same way.
Last week I received an email from Katie, the Program Director at Chewonki. Attached to the email were personal letters to each of the students from their leaders. I continue to be impressed by the professionalism, experience and heart demonstrated by the Chewonki leaders and without their cooperation completing our wilderness goal would not have been possible.
Beneath you can find a gallery from our time at Chewonki as well as a video created by Global Studies teacher Nick Martino. Thanks again to everyone at Chewonki for making our expedition such a wonderful adventure!