First Annual CGK Elementary Summer Camping Trip

Our first CGK camp trip was a huge success! The students had fun and overcame some challenges, developing aspects of the IB Learner Profile such as being "balanced", "communicators", and "risk-takers", as well as building resilience, an incredibly important skill.

The camping trip starting Wednesday August 23rd. We chartered a micro bus so we could safely and comfortably get everything we needed to the site. The ride took about 3 hours, but everyone was content talking with their friends and the teachers. There were no screens allowed, including no movie or TV on the bus. But we enjoyed joking around and looking at the beautiful scenery on the way to the camp.

The first main event was the Athletic Course. The Athletic Course is 24 different obstacles in the woods of the camp. There were rope ladders, mystery doors, a zipline, and a fair amount of climbing over rocks. This event was very challenging for the students. Some students wanted to quit during the first obstacle, but were able to push through their fear and ended up finishing the course. We are very proud of all of the students for finishing.

The first evening Mr. Facundo made a pasta dinner and the students enjoyed playing music and games in the cabin. Some students felt a little homesick, but their friends were able to comfort them. It was hard to be away from home, especially for our youngest students, but they were brave and able to talk with the teachers about how they were feeling.

The next morning we went on an easy hike. The scenery was beautiful and the air was fresh and clean. This was a new experience for some of the students. It's definitely not as engaging as the Athletic Course, with some students saying it was “just walking”. But we were able to make it to a beautiful water fall and enjoy the quiet.

When we got back to the camp we played in the river. This was the highlight of the trip for many of the students. The river was very shallow, but there were a few parts where the students could lie down to completely submerge themselves. We had fun splashing, "swimming", and building with rocks.

While the students were in the river the teachers were taking turns preparing a BBQ lunch. The students helped as well, making hamburg patties and vegetable skewers. After eating we all cooled off in the river again, before heading back to the cabins for showers, games, and dinner.

We finished the second day with a bonfire where the students created and performed their own sketches as well as making an American treat- S’mores!

The last day we had a French toast breakfast with eggs and fruit. Then we packed and cleaned the cabins. Once the cabins were empty the students went to a different section of the river to skip stones and enjoy nature. After another ride on a micro bus we had a pizza party back at CGK where we reflected on what we liked, loved, and want to change next year. All the students learned some valuable lessons or skills and we greatly look forward to next year’s camping trip!