Our Wildwood, Volume 52

GOOD TO KNOW Useful information about and for us

Middle School and 9th Grade Retreats Forge Classmate Connections

Wildwood alumni will tell you that the friendships they forged at Wildwood last a lifetime. While those close connections are often the accumulation of years of shared experiences (Advisory, All School Meetings, classes, athletics, and performing arts, to name a few), nothing can bring a group of adolescents together quite like working together to put up a tent and sleeping under the stars.

designed to broaden our student’s understanding of the natural world, solidify new and old friendships, and push students a bit out of their comfort zone,” said Jonathan Drummey, director of middle school. At Wildwood’s middle and upper school, retreats and outdoor education are an integral part of our Advisory and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs. Key aspects of Wildwood’s curriculum are weaved into retreat activities to show their applicability outside of the classroom. “Students were able to see patterns and ways in which the

For a handful of days in early October, Wildwood’s 9th grade explored El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara as part of the annual outdoor education retreat, while middle school students (6th-8th grade) embarked on their own journey to the Santa Monica Mountains. Both retreats included a variety of activities such as hiking and community building exercises. “Whether it’s ziplining through the trees, shooting a bow and arrow, cresting that next trailhead or simply performing grade level skits around a campfire, every aspect of our outdoor education program is

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