Experiential Learning and Lifelong Memories for Grade 7 Students

Grade 7 students went to the Tampa Bay area for three action-packed days of learning and bonding with classmates and chaperones. The trip consisted of a variety of activities with different goals:

• Mindfulness activities where all Grade 7 students learned to be “in the moment”, which is a hard concept in this fast paced world.
• Kayaking through the mangroves exposed our students to the importance of preserving native vegetation along with the physics required to maneuver a kayak.
• The Seagrass Dip Net at Fort De Soto Park gave students the opportunity to study collected organisms with a focus on taxonomy and classification by describing characteristics and adaptations unique to each phylum.
• Kayaking five miles on Weeki Wachee Springs was a student favorite as they explored how natural sites, like the Weeki Wachee Springs, have economically benefited Florida.
• Interacting with the manatees was extraordinary! Students learned acceptable ways of swimming with manatees, including making sure they practiced passive observation and stayed calm in the water.
• Snorkeling down Rainbow River was a mix of interacting with wildlife, searching for treasure, and realizing the beauty that surrounded our group.

Along with all of the educational benefits of the trip, our students truly enjoyed meals, free time, bus rides, and cabin time! Students had the opportunity to zipline, swim, play volleyball, basketball, and mini golf, or just swing on a porch swing. Lifetime memories were made and friendships are stronger now, both of which will play an important role as these Spartans move through Middle School and their years ahead!