After their return on Friday, the St. Johns Country Day School class of 2024 has now joined the countless alumni that precede them as veterans of the iconic Grade 8 Mountain Trip. This week-long adventure in the mountains of western North Carolina underscores the importance of cooperation and working together in teams as a key foundation for the Upper School years ahead. Featuring hikes, waterfalls, a backcountry camping trip, and much more, students are brought into an environment that may be different from any they may have experienced before where they are challenged to work together, stretch, and grow.
Over the course of the week, groups of about a dozen students were responsible for cooking their own meals and purifying their own drinking water from natural springs. They packed not only their own gear (from sleeping bags to extra warm, dry clothes) but also distributed the shared equipment like camp stoves, pots & pans, tents, and even “bear cans” (sealed canisters to protect edibles from curious wildlife). For two days, each small group hiked several miles on various challenging mountain trails in the Pisgah National Forest to reach separate summits and pitch their tents for a memorable “backcountry” camping experience.
Braving the cold rushing waters, our students and chaperones took the plunge at “Sliding Rock,” a 60-foot, all natural, smooth rock waterfall at the base of Looking Glass Falls. Finally, on an 8-mile journey, students learned to whitewater raft on the exhilarating Class 3 rapids of the Nantahala River.
Students challenged themselves physically and mentally throughout the week. They hiked longer and carried heavier loads than many thought they could. They eagerly tried new things they might never have attempted in their ordinary, daily lives. In addition to creating lasting memories, students worked together to find creative solutions to prevail in the woods. Students learned the importance of “leaving no footprints” as they explored the environment without disturbing the natural habitat. “Through this unique opportunity, our Spartans learned about themselves, each other, and the world around them,” said trip lead and English teacher Thea Burke. “which is all essential knowledge and skills that will see them through the rest of their Middle and Upper School careers, and into the wide world beyond.”