Field trips at Journey School are designed as experiential, curriculum-aligned rites of passage. They aim to connect classroom theory with real-world application., foster social-emotional growth, and build resilience. By stepping out of their comfort zones in nature or the community, students develop self-reliance and environmental stewardship.
Key Educational Intentions
- Curriculum Integration: trips directly mirror academic units. For example, 3rd grade trips often invlove visiting a working farm to learn about agriculture, directly supporting a study of shelter and nutrition.
- Social Emotional Development: Overnight and team-building excursions challenge students to resolve inter-personal conflicts, rely on one another, and develop deep empathy.
- Connection to the Land: “Nature Walks” and outdoor education fosters a profound respect for the Earth, awe for natural systems, and an understanding of our place within them.
- Rites of Passage: The trips evolve with the student’s age, culminating in a significant 8th-grade capstone trip designed to foster independence while geared toward strengthening the 8th- grade student’s mind, body, and spirit in preparation for high school.
