Driver Middle School Fifth (5th) Grade Students Visit Orenda Springs Experiential Learning Center

The 2010-2011 Driver Middle School (DMS) theme of “challenging yourself with healthy risks” was demonstrated to perfection as DMS fifth grade students visited the Orenda Springs Experiential Learning Center. Fifth grade students had the opportunity to experience the “challenge” of Orenda Springs as they participated in the team building/life skills training field trip activities during the months of September and October. John Powers, Executive Director of Orenda Springs, has created a “classroom in the woods” that enables students to immerse themselves in “expeditionary learning”. Among the life skills focused on during this year’s fifth grade experience were perseverance, initiative, patience, flexibility, caring, common sense, cooperation, honesty, sense of humor, organization, curiosity, trust, problem solving, effort , friendship, and leadership. The full day experience took classes through a variety of team building activities where success depended upon cooperative problem solving. After each activity, students had the opportunity to identify the necessary life skills for success. Students also had the chance to “de-brief” on their own personal attributes and areas that need to be improved. The Orenda Springs Experiential Learning Center team building experience is predicated on the belief that:
Tell me, and I will forget
Show me, and I may remember
Involve me, and I will understand
Facilities at Orenda Springs include a large outdoor classroom, indoor horse riding arena, a trout pond, tipi, and a low and high ropes challenge facility that has been described as “the most unique course I have ever seen!” The highlight of the Orenda Springs field trip experience was the high ropes challenge course where students and staff challenged themselves through activities such as the “flying squirrel”, the “Peregrin”, and the “zip-line”.

Fifth grade students at Driver Middle School experienced a day of self-reflection and hands-on learning where trust and cooperation lead to a clearer understanding of self and others. Further information on Orenda Springs can be found at www.orendasprings.com.