Haldane juniors kicked the year off with a field trip to Camp Herrlich in Patterson, NY. On Sept. 12, they set off for a day of fun activities. Last school year, the former sophomores planned to take a trip at the end of the year amidst all the hustle and bustle of exams and projects. However, the weather was not cooperative, and the trip had to be rescheduled. The itinerary for the day was full of many activities, including archery, visiting with animals, hiking, and other team-building exercises.
Many of these required teamwork, critical thinking, and patience. One such task was known as the spider web, where students had to weave their way through a “web” without touching its strings. If the web shook, then everyone had to start over, thus engendering problem-solving and cooperation. Another activity, the seesaw, required a similar skill set, as students had to balance their groups on a giant seesaw and attempt to float flat above the ground. These exercises were intended to create self-control and coordination.
In addition to team building activities, groups of students met snakes, ferrets, bunnies, and learned more about wildlife. The class also experienced nature. Junior Julian Constantine said, “It was a good start for the year. I didn’t have school, that was a plus. I got to shoot arrows at things, that was fun, and I almost gave [sophomore ] Wolf [Burkin] a concussion!”
The trip was a learning experience for the teachers as they met and caught up with their students this year. Math teacher Marilyn Granese said, “A class trip is a perfect way to start the year. Students are all coming back from summer, maybe there are some new students joining us, and it’s a great way to reconnect and bond”. The trip wasn’t just beneficial for students; one volleyball match featured science teacher Mark Patinella and math teacher Kristen Peparo playing alongside the juniors.
The absence of both juniors and seniors—who were also on a separate field trip on Sept. 12–allowed the freshman and sophomores a school experience entirely to themselves. The high school was much emptier than usual. Overall, the trip to Camp Herrlich allowed the junior class to engage with nature and each other in different ways from the classroom.
