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Severn News
Building Community in the Great Outdoors
It’s the middle of September — there’s a hint of fall in the air and the school year is off and running. But before we completely surrender to cooling temperatures and the momentum of the year ahead, our 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students take class field trips to the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Tuckahoe State Park, and Echo Hill Outdoor School respectively. On these trips, our middle schoolers make connections of the offline variety — fishing, kayaking, completing obstacle courses, camping and above all, forming bonds and making friendships that will last through their years at Severn School.
6th Grade: Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
On Friday, September 8th, the sixth grade spent the day at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, a 510-acre wildlife preserve on Maryland’s Eastern Shore."The students were blessed with beautiful weather as they enjoyed exploring woodlands, tidal marshes, and meadows while discovering the importance of Bay stewardship. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful way to get to know each other at the start of the year!" — Middle School History and Performing Arts Teacher Ms. Cathy Carper
7th Grade: Overnight to Tuckahoe
On September 7th and 8th, the 7th grade took an overnight trip to Tuckahoe State Park to camp, fish, kayak and participate in a high ropes course."The 7th grade trip to Tuckahoe State Park is an opportunity for our students to experience some time unplugged. It is often their first experience sleeping in a tent in the woods and being responsible for cooking their own dinner. They also have the opportunity to kayak, fish and complete challenge courses. These different experiences offer students a chance to stretch outside their comfort zone, complete something new or different, and above all, learn to lean on one another for support. There are few things that happen on this trip that can be done alone." — Middle School Dean of Students Mr. Eric Cole
8th Grade: Three Days at Echo Hill
On September 7-9, Severn 8th graders spent 3 days and 2 nights at Echo Hill. They ventured out into the bay on a traditional workboat, developed survival skills, and participated in both high and low ropes challenge courses.
"A few years ago, the MS faculty talked in depth about the purpose of our beginning-of-year trips. We came to a positive agreement that these trips are first and foremost about class bonding and community. Grade-levels are very important in middle school student identity.
The students, by trying and experiencing risk-taking, in front of and along with their classmates, cultivate a strong bond and sense of grade-level community. Additionally, we feel strongly as a faculty that the trips allow our students to “unplug” for a good amount of time. They come back to campus ready for academic routines and the challenges of engaging in excellent school work." — Middle School Head Dan Keller
