Treescape Team Building Experience ~ by Sheri Swiss, MS Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator
On Wednesday, September 14, our 5th through 8th grade students, along with several teachers and staff members, took a field trip to Treescape Aerial Adventure Park in Vernon Township. As soon as we arrived, we noticed how beautiful and scenic the area was.
After a short walk from the bus, the Treescape staff helped us into our gear. The staff explained how we were going to use the gear to clip on and off of the elements. Then we were off, up into the trees! There were several different levels of courses, including rope walks, obstacles, climbing elements, and zip lines. We were so proud to see the students helping each other almost immediately. After one student finished part of a course, he or she would often coach the next one through it. Whenever a student got stuck or wasn’t sure what to do next, someone else was quick to jump in and lend a hand. We spent a couple of hours jumping, gliding, walking, and maneuvering through the obstacles, all the while appreciating the gorgeous scenery of the Great Gorge area.
The students were very enthusiastic about the day. Elle, an 8th grader, said, ”It was so fun maneuvering through the obstacles and flying down the ziplines. I had a great day with my friends.”
This was a great team building experience. Team building allows students to work together in social situations, just as they would in the classroom and in their daily lives, and challenges them to problem-solve and execute working with others. It shows them how to be accountable. This was such a great lesson for our 5th through 8th grade students to learn.
We can’t wait to go again next year!