Introduction:
Last week, our class went on a five day field study to Loon Lake, filled with team-building exercises, outdoor challenges, and reflective activities. If I’m being honest, I went into this trip with not a lot of optimism. The main reason I went was because my friends were going, and I wasn’t under the impression I would truly learn anything useful. I quickly realized that through the activities and discussions we did, there were not just fun, but about learning to trust each other, communicate openly, and appreciate the strengths each person brings to the group. Because of this experience I feel much more connected with my class, and I even learned more about myself.
Revisiting My VMV:
My experience at Loon Lake connected closely with my vision of becoming a confident and adaptable learner. Exercises like trust falls and building huts in the forest pushed me to try new things and step outside my comfort zone. My mission to grow my confidence and independence was supported by the talks with Jhonno and the various team building activities, which encouraged me to speak up, trust my classmates, and take initiative. I could see my values in action: collaboration and communication were essential during group challenges, and creativity and critical thinking helped our cabin design posters for the ending exhibition and solve tasks efficiently.
Meaningful Moment:
One moment that really stood out to me was during the talks with a inspiration man named Jonothan Willcocks. One exercise we did was trust falling. Seeing everyone catch each other, both physically and emotionally, showed me how much our class had bonded. A lighter, fun moment was when my cabin was goofing around, taking photos, and listening to Christmas music. I’d say the girls in my class are already very connected so hanging out like this was something that came very naturally. Another unforgettable moment happened at the disco party. Our grade 10 class wasn’t afraid/embarrassed to dance and have fun, and we helped the grade 8s join in by starting a huge conga line. This showed me our unity and how much we had grown as a team at Loon Lake.
Reflecting on Strengths and Challenges:
During the field study, I felt strong in trying new activities and being open to learning. I pushed myself in trust exercises and group challenges even when I was nervous. However, I struggled with the packed schedule, because it left very few quiet moments, which made it harder to focus and recharge.
5-Day Action Goal:
Over the next five days, I want to continue building the teamwork habits I strengthened at Loon Lake. My goal is to actively help my classmates during group activities in class, just like we did during exercises. I will track my progress by reflecting each day on one thing I did to support the group, whether it was listening, helping, or encouraging others.
Big Takeaway:
The Loon Lake field study taught me how valuable connection and teamwork are, both in learning and in life. I feel more confident in myself as a learner and more connected with my classmates as a community. These experiences will stay with me as I continue to grow academically, socially, and personally.