Teamwork, Confidence, & Adventure Highlight Freshmen Outward Bound Course
The first days of school for the Class of 2030 were held in nature's classroom in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the North Carolina Outward Bound School.
"The highlight of my trip was the connection I built with my peers and the new friendships I gained," shared Katie Esterhai '30. "I will always remember my group and the inside jokes we have!"
"I will always remember how fun rock climbing was and how I was able to push myself," remarked Lander Snyder '30.
"I hope our students walked away with the feeling of accomplishment, and the knowledge that they have a supportive community of peers here at EA," said Director of Student and Community Life, Andrea Yu. "Our students faced many challenges that tested their mind, body, and spirit. It takes courage and grit to spend six days living outdoors and away from the usual comforts of home!"
"The biggest challenge I faced during my trip was knowing people all have different strength levels and how I could help to make everyone's trip better," said Quinn McGoldrick '30. "I will remember how one of my group mates was going through being very homesick and needed someone to talk to. I sat down with him and got to know him on a different level, and we are close to this day."
Sleeping in a tent or under a tarp, scaling a rock wall, and trying different foods were new experiences for many students.
"Sleeping in a tent was not as terrible as others made it seem," said Katie. "My group is so comfortable with each other now. I am thrilled to be starting high school with them."
"The best food was the peanut butter and jelly bagels," said Lander.
"My favorite food on the trip was the pesto pasta because it made me feel at home," observed Quinn.
"Their courage, resilience, and compassion for one another through it all is something we hope students take with them as they begin their Upper School journey together," said Ms. Yu.
"I would tell current 8th graders to go in with an open mind and embrace it. Once you find joy in parts of the trip, you will enjoy it!" said Katie.
"Make the most of this trip that you can," shared Quinn. "Going into the trip grumpy and annoyed will make your experience worse, so keep an open mind."
"It was hard but worth it and a good experience," said Lander.
EA chaperones included Class of 2030 Form Dean and Upper School Counselor Caroline Graham, Head of Upper School Mike Letts, Hon., Assistant Head of School Meadow Davis, and Associate Director of Annual Giving Maggie Morris.
"I was reaching out to new people, and this made the first day of school go great, knowing new faces and feeling more a part of the school," said Quinn.
"Our freshmen walk into Upper School with confidence, even if they still have first-day jitters. They enter EA already knowing and understanding their peers in a way that no icebreaker or orientation session could create," said Ms. Yu. "They are also joining a lineage: sophomores, juniors, and seniors did this before their own freshman year. By the time day one begins, our freshmen arrive as a class rather than as strangers, and that is what makes Outward Bound such a meaningful start to Upper School."
The Class of 2030's North Carolina Outward Bound trip took place August 19-24.
The experience is made possible through The Marjorie B. Buckley North Carolina Outward Bound School Fund. In 2006, EA initiated a North Carolina Outward Bound experience for all incoming 9th graders thanks to guidance and support from Mrs. Buckley. In 2013, this program was endowed by Walter Buckley ’55 in honor of his wife, Marjorie. This fund ensures that generations of EA students to come will spend several days each August developing their leadership skills, learning the value of teamwork, and making lifelong friendships in the hills of North Carolina.