Team Building & Experiential Learning Come Alive in Project Success Outdoor Adventure Field Trips

November 10, 2021

 

Student smiles were abundant in late September and early October throughout Project Success’ ten Outdoor Adventure (OA) field trips. Within these ten days, more than 700 students from seven MPS middle schools explored the outdoors with numerous educational activities such as canoeing, campfire building, orienteering, river studying, lake biodiversity, and more. These field trips took place at various sites, including Fort Snelling State Park, Hidden Falls, Crosby Park, and Lake Hiawatha, where each day began with an indigenous land acknowledgment and group introduction.    

The day then progressed with numerous team-building activities, providing ample opportunities for students to connect with one another and themselves within the contours of nature. Project Success facilitators remarked on how successfully the days evolved as students worked together to accomplish goals as a team. One such activity was Recycle Relay, where students learned how to properly sort through recycling, compost, reusable materials, and waste within their competitive teams.  

During Project Success’ Outdoor Adventures field trips, students had the chance to experience the great outdoors within Minneapolis in an entirely new and engaging way. Many middle schoolers were introduced to activities such as canoeing for the very first time! Students loved the opportunity to learn in the outdoors and have already been asking to participate in future Outdoor Adventures! Our partner teachers from the schools shared how beneficial experiential learning is for students and the need for more of this type of programming.  

“This [trip] was an authentic way for the students to practice teamwork and try something new.” 

“Such a treat! Especially meaningful for my students who may not have had this opportunity otherwise!”   

These OAs were made possible through the extensive coordination and planning by Outdoor Adventures & Global Experience Program Manager, Jenny Batten, Outdoor Adventures & Global Experiences Associate, Anne Skold, and the support from numerous Project Success Staff and volunteers. Jenny and Anne not only created procedures to keep students safe during the pandemic, but also navigated a national bussing shortage and the daily, ever-changing weather. As a result, students were safely able to explore nature and gain new skills that they can apply to future outdoor expeditions with Project Success or with their families.  

A special thanks to our partners Wilderness Inquiry, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, Minneapolis Parks, and Fort Snelling State Park Naturalists for making these trips possible by providing impactful and engaging educational programming for our students, amazing staff, and the equipment to deliver the experience. An additional shoutout goes to our numerous PS volunteers who shared their time and expertise with our students! 

We hope to have planted a seed that inspires our students to seek out more outdoor experiences and be more thoughtful about our natural environment!