Devon Prep Freshmen Get to Know Each Other Through Adventure in Education

DEVON, Pa. - Oct. 28, 2014 - PRLog -- Making the transition from middle school to high school can be difficult for even the most self-confident teenager. Making that transition in a school where you don’t know anyone can be twice as challenging.

To help the 66 young men in Devon Prep’s Freshman Class get through that difficult transition the school’s Health and Guidance Department recently sponsored an Adventure in Education Day. The goal of this interactive learning experience is to strengthen the developing bond among the members of the class as they begin their high school journey.

“This day of Adventure in Education contributes to the process of building the Class of 2018,” explained Mrs. Denise Gavin, Devon Prep’s Director of Health and Guidance.  “The whole class was divided into randomly formed groups giving the students a chance to meet all the members of the class. They interact while participating in new challenging activities and stretching their own expectations,” Gavin continued. “They discover the value of cooperative or group power and learn that sometimes a group, when working together, can accomplish what an individual cannot.”

Devon Prep’s Adventure in Education Day was presented by THOM STECHER ASSOCIATES (http://thomstecher.com/programs-edu-ropes.asp) and took place at an outdoor course in Newtown Square. The program involved traditional outdoor activities such as group games and a low ropes course. Most situations called for team problem solving, good communications, trust in one another, respect of individual differences within a group, and working together to fulfill the task created.  The students learned to solve problems by working together in a group creatively and effectively, and to take responsibility for the outcomes of their decisions.

According to Ninth Grader Ryan Bitting of Broomall the biggest lesson of the day was about working together. “We learned that any contribution to the greater good is significant, even it’s just cheering someone on. We learned that what we say can have a large impact on each other, and even a “hello” could go a long way,” he said. “We had fun learning about how we can help ourselves, but most importantly how we can help each other. “

The final challenge of the day for the ninth graders was climbing a 12 foot wall. The entire class worked together helping each other scale the wall one by one. “Nobody, no matter how tall or strong could scale that wall alone,” Bitting explained.  “This is symbolic of the walls we all face in our lives. Some may seem too large to conquer, but you can beat anything if you have people willing to help you.”

Freshman Jay Wilmer of West Chester appreciated getting to know his classmates better. “The Adventure Day made me more acquainted with my classmates, and gave me more trust in them,” he said.  “It was a great way to make everyone feel more like brothers than just classmates.”

Devon Prep is a small, independent, Catholic college preparatory school for young men in grades six through 12 conducted by the Piarist Fathers and located on Philadelphia’s Main Line. For more information call 610-688-7337, email admissions@devonprep.com, or visit www.devonprep.com.