Seventh Grade Canoe Trip

The Middle School canoe trips have been a signature program in the Middle School for over 40 years. The seventh grade’s canoe trip placement at the beginning of the school year is intentional, as this trip is often a formative experience for students, resulting in deeper relationships with peers and faculty, an increased sense of self-confidence, and a belief in their ability to overcome obstacles both individually and as a group. This canoe trip is also an integral component of community building as they enter their seventh grade year. 

In September, seventh graders, along with Director of Outdoor Education Chris Costa, several Middle School faculty members, and a trained safety boater, paddled a section of the Delaware River located in the beautiful Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area on the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They carried all supplies with them on the river and camped as they traveled downstream.

All students participated in the meaningful work of traveling as a large group down the river, which included tasks such as tent setup, meal preparation and cleanup, fire building, and canoe packing and unpacking. Students learned navigation skills and had several opportunities to practice leadership in small and large groups. In addition, students continued their understanding of Leave No Trace (LNT) wilderness travel practices that they began working on in their sixth-grade Outdoor Education program.

Enjoy more photos of their adventure here!