Head of School's Message: Sept. 15

As the bus returning the eighth grade class from their backpacking trip pulled onto the 210 East, I overheard one of the students describe the San Gabriels as “low and sad.” Locals might challenge that description, but after a week in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness tucked between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the Sierras it was hard to disagree.
 
Accompanied by a Chandler faculty member and two instructors from the Boojum Institute, the Anza-based company we contract with to run our outdoor education programs, each eighth grade advisory group spent six days camping, hiking and clambering around the back country. Students carry on their backs everything they need for the trip. It is an unplugged, elemental experience that teaches hard and soft skills.  Students learn to read topographic maps, assemble, light white gas stoves, erect tents, prepare food and identify flora and fauna.
Last Tuesday morning at Rowell Meadow en route to Jennie Lake, my group woke to find sleeping bags covered in frost and water bottles partially frozen. On Monday afternoon when we arrived at our campsite the students and instructors scoured the meadow for animal tracks. They found evidence of a mountain lion and her cub that our instructors determined were about two weeks old. The lush meadow grasses on Monday afternoon were stiffened by Tuesday morning’s freeze. It was a remarkable transformation in just a few hours. The students took it in stride by blowing on their hands and doing the hypothermia dance taught by the Boojum instructors.
 
The question about whether sports develops or reveals character applies equally to outdoor education. Leaving their comfort zones for a few days, Chandler students discover personal qualities that can surprise them as well as their teachers. They are stronger than they thought they were. They make do with less. They can wear the same shirt and pair of socks for at least two days in a row without hurting themselves. They can eat instant grits for breakfast and canned tuna for lunch when they are hungry. They divide responsibilities, help one another and learn to work as a group. There is no better prologue to the eighth grade year.
 
On the last night, students in their groups debriefed about the week in the wilderness. The consensus among them was that a middle school backpacking trip is part of what makes Chandler, Chandler. The safe, challenging and physical experience in a beautiful environment builds self-reliance and commitment to community, two of our mission objectives.
 
As the bus pulled into the parking lot on Fair Oaks where we had arranged pickup, it was noticeable that the San Gabriels were partially obscured by the clouds of hormones rising from the Rose Bowl where One Direction was performing. I hope you were not too inconvenienced by last week’s early dismissals.
 
I look forward to seeing Lower School parents at Thursday’s Back to School Night and meeting up with everyone at the upcoming class parties.
 
Most sincerely,

 
John Finch
Head of School
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