Adventure Learning Center

Monday, June 2, 2008 Urbandale, Iowa

A day away from school seemed to be much more of a challenge than the students were expecting. With 135 participants attending the Adventure Learning Center in Urbandale, Iowa during a two day spread, they started to realize who they were individually and started to connect with others.

The Grinnell - Newburg Educational Endowment Foundation made it possible for students to come to the course where they were able to begin to trust each other and challenge themselves. Not having connected with all their classmates, eighth grade students from Grinnell Middle School began to trust each other through exercises during the day. Challenging each other in a different way other than school work and sporting events was highlighted during the two days. Regardless if students climbed poles or put on harnesses, goals were met.

“I was nervous before I started climbing the ladder but gained the confidence to do it. I didn’t know when I would have the chance again,” said Amber Grant. Along with Grant, other students were not sure what to expect when putting on harnesses and helmets before climbing. “ When I looked at the course I didn't make it out to be extremely challenging — but the cargo net— it [took] a lot of physical strength,” stated Andy Fulk.

Students took on challenges within the high course, low course and other activities during the course of the day. Within each part of the activities, trust of others became a challenge to face. “I didn’t realize how much I could trust people that I went to school with. Before I came I didn’t talk to some of them but now I realize that I should give them a chance,” said Jessica Bidwell.
“They are respecting the differences among each other and begin to find out that they do have things in common, that hadn’t been discovered before,” stated Diana Buter, Language Arts Instructor. These students from Grinnell Middle School will be entering their first year of high school in the fall of 2008. Now with more trust and communication skills, students have gained more confidence to enter into their freshman year more prepared after leaving the Adventure Learning Center.

Communication and trust levels grew for many of the students being able to trust fellow classmates while hearing their support while climbing. “These students really have come together and begun to know each other better. It is a great experience for them to go back and continue to connect,” stated Tom Sandholm, Band Director.

With their hearts pounding and their adrenaline rushing, students experienced a climb that they might not have another chance to do. “When I was up in the air trying to move from one island (wooden platform) to another, I started to shake. I didn’t know if I could continue on. I was afraid of heights but overcame my fear and completed the climb,” said Jeremy Kircher.

When talking with the students, most had some fear which could have prevented them from completing their goals and challenging themselves. Positive support was shown amongst the group, with this support individuals reached their goals of the day. Among the students from Grinnell Middle School, they were glad that they had the opportunity to challenge themselves and accomplish goals. “If I could come back again, I would definitely again go up in the air and walk across the floating islands,” said Emily Elliott.

Students went back to class on Friday with more knowledge of what they could do. Now they could trust classmates and forged new friendships as part of this chance to challenge themselves.