An 8th Grade Trip Reflection
Ten days of camping with twenty-five 13 to 14 year olds might seem quite daunting for some, but as a Waldorf teacher I have been looking forward to the much anticipated 8th grade trip with my tight-knit group of middle schoolers. It was a magical and bonding opportunity well worth the planning and effort.
This past September, our 8th graders traveled with me, their class teacher, and Mr Wooton, the math teacher, by airplane to the Four Corners to meet with our trip guides at DeerHill Expeditions in Mancos, Colorado. Our adventures included four days of river rafting on the San Juan River and three days of cultural experiences and service work on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. It was truly a gift to launch our final year together at Cedarwood with this epic adventure.
When did the 8th grade trip become the pinnacle field trip tradition in Waldorf grade schools? I’m not really sure. It makes sense though that within an education that focuses on experiential learning and meaningful community engagement, that we create this opportunity before the students make their transition to high school. It offers both time to celebrate and honor the social bonds developed over the 8+ years of being together as a class community, as well as to turn our lens outward into the world and to be of service to others.
At Cedarwood, we strive to fulfill several goals when designing our capstone 8th grade class trip, including:
Initiation experiences and ceremonial moments honoring the shift from grade school to high school and the completion of the class journey
Nature Experiences, particularly in environments new to the students
Cultural experiences, particularly with cultures new to the students
Physical challenges that will help to foster new capacities in the students
Service projects that will cultivate the student’s relationship with society and the importance of social responsibility
And what a monumental trip it was! I can honestly say that every goal was achieved on our adventures, and thoughtful reflections from both students and adults were shared with one another throughout the trip and since our return. The tradition of the 8th grade class trip is a gem of an experience worth cherishing!
-Ms. Natalie Norman (Class of 2023)
A small glimpse into a teacher’s travel journal:
Sept 22, 2022: Whew! We’ve completed our third full day of river travel. The students have become natural paddlers on the water, navigating the rocks and eddies with care. After this evening’s circle time of reflection, the eighth graders quietly rose from the sun-baked red clay sand and stretched their limbs. I’m full of gratitude about some of the gifts we were offered from nature as we slowly meandered to our tents for the night. A shooting star brightly crossed the brilliant dome above us, and a few students sighed in awe as they stared out at the wonders of the sky. Then a tarantula was spotted on the path. We circled around it to observe its nocturnal habits and hunting strategies, honoring this amazing creature. A few students also acknowledged the fearful emotions that stirred within them when spotting such an enormous arachnid out in the wild. Friends soothed each other’s worries with hugs and kind words, and tired muscles reminded our bodies it was time for much deserved sleep.
Sept 25, 2022: We spent the day working hard at the Chee Ranch on the Navajo Reservation, moving sacred wood from a former hogan hut across a field to a temporary structure that will serve as a holding place for the precious resources. The heat penetrated our skin, tightening it like the surface of a drum. Yet the students worked on for hours with little complaint. I was quite impressed. They took breaks under the shade of a lone tree, pausing for water, electrolytes and camaraderie.
In reflection of the day’s work, one student mentioned in the evening circle how rewarding it felt to work so hard with their body and to accomplish such a large task. Hearing that made my heart sing.
Sept 27, 2022: Two of the kind and generous Chee Ranch residents, Herman and Christine, spent the day working with us on their sheep farm. They shared amazing stories about Herman’s father, who was a medicine man, and Christine’s work as a Navajo language teacher at their local grade school. One of their highest missions is to keep the Navajo language and culture alive in everyday life in their community. Herman even inspired me to consider that the inflamed red ant bite on my leg was a gift from nature, offering the medicine I needed in that moment. That helped me reframe the itchy experience. (lol)
2022 8th grade trip photo gallery
What an honor it was to get a glimpse into this indigenous culture from all of our gracious hosts. From teaching us how to make delicious Navajo flat bread, to learning how to wrangle sheep (we just watched - except Mr. Wooton, who courageously gave it a try), to weeding the invasive goat weed that poked at our feet, we were offered a rich experience of a community life that we may never have had the opportunity to truly know. I feel blessed and deeply grateful.
Written by Natalie Norman
At Cedarwood Waldorf School, our 8th grade class trip is a truly bonding capstone experience that ties together science, math, language studies, outdoor reverence, and the value of community. Our students, starting in grade 1, begin looking forward to the rewarding and mysterious class trip. Many see their older siblings and friends adventure out on this rite of passage only to return wiser, stronger, and more connected to their community than ever before. This trip is not unique to Cedarwood, but our approach and the thoughtfulness in our faculty’s planning makes this trip a monumental moment in our student’s lives.
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