Reflecting on the Seventh Grade Pinecrest Trip

Reflecting on the Seventh Grade Pinecrest Trip

By Elizabeth Frank, SAA-SDS Junior High Science Teacher

For more than 15 years, SAA-SDS has recognized the importance of providing the 7^th grade class an opportunity to travel off campus and to build the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. For three years, the trip has been an overnight adventure to Pinecrest Camp & Retreat Center in La Grange, Tennessee.

Enjoy this reflection on the most recent trip, written by Elizabeth Frank, SAA-SDS Junior High Science Teacher:

The first goal of the Pinecrest Trip each year is to get our 7th grade students outside and immersed in nature. It is a tech-free trip, and students are outside for every aspect of the trip except for mealtimes and sleeping. Students learn techniques and strategies to survive in nature by practicing shelter-building using only supplies from the forest. They also learn how to correctly and safely build a campfire.

Students learn about the Wolf River watershed and its impact on West Tennessee and the Mississippi River, while also excavating clay from a natural clay reserve on the Pinecrest property. This year, many of our students created clay pinch pots that they could then take home with them.

At the end of day one, students completed a night hike with no flashlights and were amazed by what all they could see and hear in nature. During the night hike, the Pinecrest staff pointed out interesting creatures of the night, including the owl and wolf sounds heard from off in the distance as well as different worm and plant species that were either bioluminescent or chemiluminescent and therefore glow in the dark. Day one ended with all the students together around a campfire to enjoy s'mores.

This year we had the pleasure of listening to our 7^th grade Religion Teacher, Brother Sam, as he played a few of his favorite songs on the guitar around the campfire. He shared his personal walk of faith from when he was in 7th grade to his present-day life as a Dominican Brother.

The Pinecrest trip's second goal is to build camaraderie amongst our 7th graders-new students and returning students alike. Day two of the trip helps achieve this goal with team-building activities completed on Pinecrest's low ropes course. These activities teach our students the importance of clear communication and listening skills, which lead to greater group success on the rope course activities. 

When the trip was over, our students were asked several questions to prompt reflection on their experience. It is evident from their answers that the trip was a success! Take a minute to read these excerpts from some of their answers:

In response to “What was your favorite part of this trip?”

My favorite part of the trip was learning about more people . . .doing the group activities helped me connect with them and learn more about them.

My favorite part of the trip was the feeling of accomplishment after the big hikes and also bonding with people .

My favorite part of the trip was looking at the bioluminescent creatures at night.

My favorite part of the trip was probably the night hike and campfire. It was enjoyable, and I got to face my fears.

In response to “What is something you learned about yourself on this trip?”

I learned that you have to trust other people to build a better community together.

I realized during this trip that I was going at an extremely fast pace in life-I needed to have a moment to slow down.

I learned that I am good at working on teams-better than working by myself.

Something I learned about myself during this trip is that I have a much better time without my phone. This realization will probably get me off my phone more and live in the moment, which is a good thing.

Something I learned about myself during this trip was that I had the confidence to try new things.

Something I learned about myself during this trip was that I love nature more than I thought. I thought I would hate all the hikes and being in the woods and stuff, but I was one of the people that loved it.

I am not the biggest fan of nature and bugs, but if I have my friends, I can tolerate it.

I learned that I can be a good leader.