by Dennis Harter
dennish@isb.ac.th
This week, I am writing this eNews post from ISB’s Environmental Wilderness Campus (EWC) in Phetchaburi province. I have accompanied group 4 of the Grade 7 students who are here for their Wild Panthers outdoor education experience. Themed, “Pushing the Limits,” for the 3 days and 2 nights that grade 7 students are here, they learn teamwork, leadership, confidence, and trust as they navigate, rock climb, abseil, and take on challenges with each other.
Through this experience, students reflect upon what they learn about themselves through new experiences and facing challenges that are out of their comfort zone. As they have discussed throughout the trip, they “write their own story” through their choices and belief in themselves.
ISB’s Wild Panthers teachers and team have created a wonderful, empowering learning experience for our students. Having seen the grade 8s in action last year, and now seeing the grade 7 program in full swing, it is clear what a wonderful addition to the middle school experience Wild Panthers has been. While experiencing and appreciating the outdoors, students are learning about themselves and seeing how they can transfer what they’ve learned to other parts of their lives, in and out of school.
