Really though I think this class is exceptionally positive, supportive and ready for anything!
The interesting thing is that you've also been much more engaged - the parents, friends and family of our dear hikers! There are more than a dozen of you following the trip on Twitter and more than double the number of folks are visiting the blog than last year.
Blue = number of blog visitors this year. Green = visitors last year in same time period. Click for full size.That's just awesome! It means that you are following along with the trip - you want to hear what is going on - and you'll be well prepared to hear the stories when the students return.
A few posts ago I asked if we should send some sort of technology onto the course so we could get updates out and you responded with a firm 'no thanks'. New question: should we set up a system where you can send messages into the course?
For example, we could have parents write letters to their children and we could have students open them at a certain time on course, such as during a solo experience?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
16 comments:
I really like the idea about having parents send a letter for their child - to be opened during the trip. Mostly, I really like the fact that they are able to have this experience w/o the interference of technology. Technology is a wonderful thing but, I don't think it needs to be everywhere we go!
Right, it doesn't need to be everywhere... in fact young people are pretty resourceful and resilient without it!
Actually it's a great experience for them to have. Not many know what it's like to exist without it. Good for them to find out they can function!
Yes!
Sending in messages is really no different than making calls and should be avoided, unless it's an emergency or directly applicable to the learning experience. In the end, the effect is felt most by the students, so it would be interesting to hear what the students think.
I agree... no contact is better (as much as i want to hear how things are going first hand). This is the mini "boot camp" they need to learn some great survival lessons.
It would be interesting to take this question to student government next year....
When their journey began I would have said yes to the letters, but now after following along since Sunday, I must say "no". This is their experience and should continue that way. It has worked this way for years. Looking forward to their stories and laughs when they arrive back.
This is great feedback... thank you. I always want to try and make the program better, but I don't want to spoil something that is working well either!
I understand about the 'bootcamp' idea but I also really like the idea of a handwritten letter. I have experienced retreats where participants surprisingly received letters from family and friends during a 'solo' time about halfway through the experience, offering support from a distance as well as an acknowledgment of successes thus far (with certainly more to come!). These kids will each find their own way up the 'mountains' in life. A one-time, small reminder of family love can only help preserve this fantastic week of cooperative independence in their hearts and minds for future reference.
Yes - this can be very powerful too...
I worked at a residential summer camp for years. The worse thing for a child who is homesick, is to have a parent try to console them. Believe it or not, homesick kids did much better having worked it out on their own with the help of his/her peers.
I agree that there should be no technology during the trip, and I don't think they should receive letters either. I believe the kids will have a greater sense of accomplishment if they complete this on their own, and away from any contact from parents. The kids will have amazing stories to tell from this fantastic adventure. The best stories later in life come from toughest challenges they complete, not the easy ones.
The kids are on this journey for so many reasons: self-discovery, teamwork skills, and, most of all, looking at things from another perspective - one free from outside influence. They know they have the support of their families - especially this year, as evidenced by all the tweeting and blogging going on. This is the time for building support within their groups and confidence within themselves. There's great importance and reward in challenge.
Ditto!
I agree this is something that they are doing as individuals and their group. It gives them a better sense of being on their own. This way they can truly say they "did it on their own". Thanks so much for all the updates, even though it is not about specific groups it gives us a connection to them!
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