By Russ Barmmer,
Old Saybrook High School Teacher
One hundred and twenty three Old Saybrook High School ninth graders packed up their sleeping bags and bathing suits instead of their books, and headed over to Camp Hazen in Chester for a unique 2-day, overnight program. The Freshman Retreat was part of a special grant awarded to Old Saybrook for their recent recognition as one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People”.
The classrooms on August 30th and 31st took the shape of hiking trails, beautiful Cedar Lake, the High Ropes Course, Alpine Tower, and programs of team and trust building challenges, culminating with a series of educational and entertaining activities around a campfire.
According to Larry Freundlich, Director of Youth and Family Services, the retreat’s purpose was to help freshmen acquire new skills, while bonding with teachers and other students during team building and leadership training activities. For many incoming freshmen, the transition to 9th grade is crucial. Many freshmen become vulnerable to risks as they transition to their new school. This, coupled with the lack of opportunities for employment or positive after-school activities proves to be a challenge for their future success.
“What a success we enjoyed,” says Paula Palmieri, Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth Coordinator, who worked closely with a team of students assigned to climb a 55-foot Alpine Tower. “Right after our instructions, we had four girls in a row climb to the top, then the boys followed, some going up more than once, and some making the climb blindfolded. Every one in our group went up the tower. What they did demanded trust with the Camp Hazen staff, and teamwork with fellow climbers. Even though I am afraid of heights, their successes inspired me to climb the Tower myself, and I made it to the first platform”.
Joining the 9th graders at the Retreat were teachers, school administrators and key community members such as Youth and Family Services staff, Parks and Recreation personnel, a Police Youth Officer and Service Organization volunteers.
“We asked the students to write a paragraph about what they learned from the retreat,” says Scott Schoonmaker, Old Saybrook High School Principal. “Almost all of them told us they better understand and appreciate the value of teamwork, saw the need to trust one another better, and by staying overnight and talking around the cabins and campfire, they made new friends.”
One student acknowledged difficulty with teamwork. “I was so used to doing things by myself, but when our exercises kept failing, I saw that teamwork pulled us together and let us solve the problem”.
Another wrote that the experience taught the value of trust. “On the High Ropes Course, I took the ‘leap of faith’ and trusted that I would make it. I did.” Trust also was evidenced in the relationship-building portion of the retreat. “We did things together that only worked if we trusted each other. We did, I did, and I’m going to keep doing it in school now.”
The teambuilding activities required listening, cooperation and trust to successfully reach team goals. The Camp Hazen staff helped by engaging the young people and providing an environment where they teamed up to solve problems or reach goals they would not have been able to do alone.
Based on the feedback and excitement that the students brought back to the school, and the goals achieved, Larry Freundlich and Scott Schoonmaker are committed to making this a yearly event for incoming Freshmen, and will be soliciting support throughout the community for this worthwhile program.
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