Contributor’s Name: Derek Starkenburg
8th year students undertake a rite of passage to celebrate their transition into the second half of the third plane (their graduation from 8th year and moving on to high school). Patterned after transitional rites of passage from a myriad of other cultures, students undergo preparation to send the afternoon and night (18 hours) alone at one spot in the forest.
Theme:
Geared Towards eighth
Curriculum: Curriculum – Field Studies,Curriculum – Other,Curriculum – Social Studies,Curriculum – Science
Tags: camp,Middle School
Kick off: Journal Prompt: What are your questions and fears about the upcoming Solo Trip?
Seminar Title: “Ashes Time for Teens” by Tom Balistrieri
Group Initiative: Sit Spot (students find a spot in the woods on campus to site and journal about what they experience with their senses)
Project: Glo’s Circle (build out of clay and fire); Talking stick (design one for your 8th year class); council staff (add one strand containing an object from each person in your class)
Discussion Topics: Spending time alone; Being connected to nature; The relevance of legends in today’s technological era; Fears and worries of adolescents; Being part of a community
Outside Opportunity: Camping in the forest at a solo spot for 18 hours without communicating with anyone else (1 pm – 7 am overnight).
Download Files:
starkenburg_pedagogy_of_place_2019.zip
camp,Middle School