
In PLP, we went on a field study to Loon Lake, where the main purpose was to build trust, teamwork, and stronger connections within our class. Even though many of us already knew each other, we still had our usual groups and cliques in the class. The activities we did pushed us outside those comfort zones. One challenge we had to do was all of us leaning back while holding tight of a big rope, we all worked together and we’re relying on one another to keep the rope steady while a classmate used two people to assist them, to move carefully and slowly around the edge, almost like balancing on a tightrope above high ground. Another one of my favorite activities we did was the trust falls. We stood at an elevated height and had to fall backward into our group’s arms. It was honestly really scary in the moment, and afterward I felt super jittery, but in a good way that made me feel proud after I had done it.
PLP does field studies like this because they help classes work better together, learn from real experiences, and develop skills you can’t get in a regular classroom.
Before the trip, I hoped it would help me step out of my comfort zone, take more risks, and try things I usually might hesitate on. Like the high ropes, the rock wall, and even speaking up and sharing my ideas. I definitely feel like I achieved that, and I noticed myself becoming more confident as the trip went on.
This trip also surprisingly pushed me into a leadership role. During certain group challenges, we had to guide the grade 8 students through specific tasks, which meant showing strong communication, patience, and clear direction. Leading them tested my abilities, but it also showed me that I can step up when it matters.

Overall, the field study helped our class become more connected and supportive. I got to know not only my own classmates better, but also students from the other grade 8 group. It was an amazing experience.

My VMVs
Durning this trip we took much time to reflect on our VMVs that we created back in September, we took time to go through them and find what we have accomplished already and things that dont apply to us anymore as they did back in September. Two parts of my VMV that really connected to the field study were collaboration and teamwork. The trip directly supported and strengthened these values while also pushing me to really rethink what I’m really capable of. The trust-based rope activity and the trust falls challenged me to rely on my classmates and let them rely on me. I realized that collaboration isn’t just about working together it’s about trusting each other. Supporting a classmate as they walked along the rope showed me how much responsibility and care goes into teamwork, and being caught during trust falls helped me see how much strength comes from being apart of a team. The trip also encouraged personal growth by pushing me into new experiences. These moments challenged my thinking about what I can handle and showed me that growth happens when I push myself and trust both myself and others.

My favorite moment
There were so many moments in this trip that made me smile but one part in this trip that was my favorite moment, this activity that we did was called ‘The A Frame’, what we were asked to do was to put together multiple pieces of plywood in our random groups, it took my group about 10 minutes to build it and by that time we were the only group that was still building while the rest of the other groups were already moving on to the next part of the activity. We later found out that there were 4 pieces of rope attached to the to of the A frame, we were each to grave a rope and have each person in their own section around the A frame. We then learn’t we were supposed to make the frame wak by each taking turns pulling it so it walks like a person on two legs, after fire minutes me and my group figured it out and was going at a consistant pace, id have to ull one side while the others were keeping the rope loose, and then we would switch. Later when every group had an idea of how to make it work we noticed that there were 4 pieces of rope but 5 purple in all the groups and then we found out that the fifth person was to get in the A frame and we were to race the other group in walking the frame with the person in the middle. It was super challenging but we all did a super fantastic at sharing out best tactics and how we think this could work, we used good communication and listened to everyone’s ideas. Overall we ties for 2nd, personally the place didn’t matter bu it was how much fun I had and learning how well I work with everyone, this will definitely be a memory I will remember for the rest of my life.



One of the activities were were asked to do was create a poster with your name, pictures of things you love and a quote. I drew things like the ocean, my dog and playing music. I chose the quote ‘The best way to truest somebody is to trust them’. The next day our classmates were asked to go around and write things they saw us do or liked about us this week.
My learning signals
If I were to do this field study again, there are a few things I would do somewhat differently. I think I would push myself to take risks earlier instead of waiting until I felt comfortable or until my friends would do the risks. There were moments where I held back or overthought things specifically my ideas that could have been shared to improve the group, and I wish I had trusted myself sooner. I definitely showed strength in talking to all of not just my close friends but sitting with others in my class during lunch, I find I’m good at making conversation and was good at finding connections with others that I never knew. Where I particularly struggled was when speaking up in group chats, I talked when I was mostly asked to but not as much when they would ask everyone, I knew my answer to almost all of the questions they asked but I second guessed myself before I could share, that’s something I’ve been working on for a while and I will continue to work on it.
5 day action goal
Over the next five days, I want to make a conscious effort to share at least one idea or suggestion in every group discussion within my learning team. This goal is important to me because sometimes I hold back, even when I have good ideas, and sharing more will help me contribute to the team, build confidence, and support better collaboration. It will also make me a stronger community member and show that I am actively participating in our group learning, I feel that this is a goal only I can achieve myself by being brave and raising my hand. I’ll keep a small checklist in my iPad or on my phone. After each class or group session, I’ll mark whether I shared at least one idea or suggestion. At the end of the five days, I can reflect on whether I reached my goal and how it felt to contribute more regularly.
This field study changed me as both a learner and a community member by helping me understand how much I can grow when I challenge my usual habits and push myself to try things I normally wouldn’t. As a learner, I became more open-minded and willing to take on challenges, even when they felt unfamiliar or intimidating. I learned that real learning happens when I’m willing to make mistakes, reflect, and keep trying instead of sticking to what feels easy. I also became better at sharing my thoughts, asking questions, and trusting my own voice.
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