<b>IV Formers at Camp Jewel</b>
For the past eleven years, IV form students and Human Development faculty leaders have been enjoying a weekend retreat at Camp Jewell Colebrook , Connecticut
For the past eleven years, IV form students and Human Development faculty leaders have been enjoying a weekend retreat at Camp Jewell Colebrook , Connecticut
On the first Friday of the new school year, 70 IV formers, 15 peer counselors, and 7 faculty leaders packed up their sleeping bags and duffle bags, boarded two buses, and headed off to Camp Jewell, a 540-acre YMCA camp on Triangle Lake in Colebrook, Connecticut. Upon arriving, the entire group jumped into their first activities including trust-building exercises and name games. As 40% of the IV form students are new to Millbrook this year, this was the perfect opportunity to get to know new classmates. The day ended as groups were sent to one of four cabins to get a good night's rest before a full day of activities on Saturday.
Saturday was, indeed, a full day of team building as each of the seven Human Development groups, led by their faculty advisor, worked to improve trust, communication, and teamwork. Team building exercises included strategizing on how to accomplish goals set by the Camp Jewell facilitators and physical challenges such as completing the low ropes course with the support and encouragement of teammates. After dinner the seven teams competed in additional activities as part of a "Dutch Auction" before winding down the evening in front of a large campfire.
Sunday was the most challenging day physically as teams participated in the high ropes events including the pendulum, vertical playpen, and zip lines. These events not only provided students with a sense of accomplishment, but allowed team members to share encouragement and support, furthering a sense of community and teamwork. Upon returning to the Millbrook campus, the IV formers not only knew one another more fully, but certainly had gained a sense of trust and connection with each other that otherwise might have taken much longer to achieve.
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On the first Friday of the new school year, 70 IV formers, 15 peer counselors, and 7 faculty leaders packed up their sleeping bags and duffle bags, boarded two buses, and headed off to Camp Jewell, a 540-acre YMCA camp on Triangle Lake in Colebrook, Connecticut. Upon arriving, the entire group jumped into their first activities including trust-building exercises and name games. As 40% of the IV form students are new to Millbrook this year, this was the perfect opportunity to get to know new classmates. The day ended as groups were sent to one of four cabins to get a good night's rest before a full day of activities on Saturday.
Saturday was, indeed, a full day of team building as each of the seven Human Development groups, led by their faculty advisor, worked to improve trust, communication, and teamwork. Team building exercises included strategizing on how to accomplish goals set by the Camp Jewell facilitators and physical challenges such as completing the low ropes course with the support and encouragement of teammates. After dinner the seven teams competed in additional activities as part of a "Dutch Auction" before winding down the evening in front of a large campfire.
Sunday was the most challenging day physically as teams participated in the high ropes events including the pendulum, vertical playpen, and zip lines. These events not only provided students with a sense of accomplishment, but allowed team members to share encouragement and support, furthering a sense of community and teamwork. Upon returning to the Millbrook campus, the IV formers not only knew one another more fully, but certainly had gained a sense of trust and connection with each other that otherwise might have taken much longer to achieve.
