Down the River

Our eighth graders participated in a beloved Westtown tradition—the last Middle School canoe trip! The Class of 2029 went on a three-day/two-night adventure on the Potomac River in western Maryland. This hallmark experience is marked not only by skill-building in nature and on the water, but also by community-building and growth. Students learn to push themselves and encourage each other, work as a team, as well as to canoe and practice “Leave no Trace.” As Middle School Principal Will Addis shared, “The canoe trips and the training that goes with them provide real-world applications for the skills and understandings we strive to teach our students while also providing lessons that reflect those skills. If you are ever around the students as they prepare for a trip, you will see how evident this is. Phrases like ‘We can do hard things and ‘There are no passengers, only crew’ are uttered frequently. This is true on the river but applies to the classroom, playing field, Dining Room, and so on.” Our thanks to Chris Henwood-Costa, Director of Outdoor Education, and all the Middle School faculty who support these important trips each year! Photos of this year’s adventure are here!