WILDERNESS EXPLORERS
By Shannon-Lee (Hike Leader)
September 2014
On their very first hike of the year, a group of Whitefield Elementary School students went on a leadership hike up to Galehead Hut. On the way, the young hikers learned the importance of commitment, communication, and teamwork. When they began hiking, the Wilderness Explorers faced steep hills and slippery streams. Even when some of them grew tired and wanted to give up, the other club members helped them and convinced them they had to continue. They had gone so far that they could not give up. Along the way, the young leaders in training picked up any pieces of garbage they found lying around. The Wilderness Explorers reached the hut only to find that it was colder at the top than it was at the bottom, so they were told to put on extra layers. On a teamwork exercise, they young leaders used communication and threw ideas around that would have been able to work. It builds character and it shows that everyone’s idea is not stupid and they should be able to try all of them. The people who worked at the hut were nice and great cooks. And, boy, did they put on quite a show! But what was most intriguing was how the Wilderness Explorers all took turns leading the crew up and down the mountain safely and helped each other with directions if they had some trouble figuring out which way to go, helped pick up anything they spilled so they would all leave no trace, and a lot of people had trouble with their packs and the teachers and the rest of the Outdoor Club members helped. But what was most important is that the Wilderness Explorers helped each other through thick and thin and never gave up on their friends no matter what! That’s what makes a club of hikers a team. They do, indeed. deserve to be called Hike Leaders.
By Shannon-Lee (Hike Leader)
September 2014
On their very first hike of the year, a group of Whitefield Elementary School students went on a leadership hike up to Galehead Hut. On the way, the young hikers learned the importance of commitment, communication, and teamwork. When they began hiking, the Wilderness Explorers faced steep hills and slippery streams. Even when some of them grew tired and wanted to give up, the other club members helped them and convinced them they had to continue. They had gone so far that they could not give up. Along the way, the young leaders in training picked up any pieces of garbage they found lying around. The Wilderness Explorers reached the hut only to find that it was colder at the top than it was at the bottom, so they were told to put on extra layers. On a teamwork exercise, they young leaders used communication and threw ideas around that would have been able to work. It builds character and it shows that everyone’s idea is not stupid and they should be able to try all of them. The people who worked at the hut were nice and great cooks. And, boy, did they put on quite a show! But what was most intriguing was how the Wilderness Explorers all took turns leading the crew up and down the mountain safely and helped each other with directions if they had some trouble figuring out which way to go, helped pick up anything they spilled so they would all leave no trace, and a lot of people had trouble with their packs and the teachers and the rest of the Outdoor Club members helped. But what was most important is that the Wilderness Explorers helped each other through thick and thin and never gave up on their friends no matter what! That’s what makes a club of hikers a team. They do, indeed. deserve to be called Hike Leaders.