The Power of Expeditionary Learning

This years’ Upper School Expeditionary Learning trips will be here soon. The week before spring break is when we traditionally venture off in grades 9-11 and leave the campus to our seniors for their Life 101 experience. Expeditionary Learning is an important component of the Trinity School experience.  As a school, we value these experiences and build them into our academic calendar.  Therefore, participation is expected. Let me explain more about what we believe every student needs to participate in these trips.

Regardless of how intentional schools are in the design of daily educational and co-curricular experiences -- crafting activities both in and out of the classroom that are appropriately challenging, engaging, and fun--there are certain things that just cannot be covered in a traditional classroom and experiences that we cannot replicate on campus. This is one of the primary reasons that Expeditionary Learning trips are planned and prioritized each year at Trinity. 

These activities take a variety of forms: from investigating early civilizations in New Mexico—representing thousands of years of human development and millions of years of geological history—to exposure to a variety of college opportunities as students begin the process of thinking about their personal futures, to symbolically encouraging students to take a leap of faith by jumping off the cliffs above the Nueces River or traversing one of the state’s longest zip lines. This formal program culminates with our Life 101 program where students are introduced to a variety of skills and strategies that will serve them well in their lives after graduation.

Having led trips of this nature for over twenty years, I can vividly recall many examples of student success made possible through these adventures. Granted, some of the tasks can be difficult for students to try due to fear, anxiety, or just being out of their comfort zone. However, both anecdotally and philosophically I know that participating in new activities outside of our comfort zone helps students develop an aptitude for trying new things as well as an ability for facing challenges from a new perspective all while fostering a stronger commitment to personal growth and development.  

Expeditionary Learning is a powerful tool that we use to enrich the everyday experience for the students at Trinity School. All of these experiences afford the participants the opportunity to grow as individuals, to build self-confidence, and to learn to take calculated risks. Expeditionary Learning allows students to build deeper relationships with their peers and the adults who guide them. The depth of this common experience can only be achieved through off-campus, expeditionary adventures. This version of experiential education forces students out of their comfort zone, causing them to be vulnerable and open with their classmates in the pursuit of challenging goals in unfamiliar territory. These activities help students build trust and a stronger sense of belonging to their community. Along the way, students also pick up skills and strategies that will remain with them throughout their lifelong learning journey.

9th graders will spend the week exploring and experiencing the historic and prehistoric cultures found across New Mexico, while participating in several different educational opportunities available there. From ancient cultures such as those found in Bandelier National Monument to the birth of the nuclear age at Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos, this trip spans thousands of years of human development. Students gain appreciation for geologic and human history time scales and see how the natural environment impacts human culture and vice versa. The trip also fosters students’ appreciation for the arts with trips to unique museums and a hands-on class in glass blowing.

Sophomore students explore and experience a variety of educational and cultural opportunities available in Dallas and Fort Worth with a focus on visiting colleges in the area. Private and public institutions, as well as large and small schools, are included in the schedule to expose students to a wide range of college experiences. The Director of College Advising accompanies students on this trip so that he can begin the conversation about finding a “just right” school with each student. 

Juniors have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and scenery of the Texas Hill Country juxtaposed with some unique individual and group challenges at Camp Eagle in Rocksprings. Utilizing this unique facility nestled at the headwaters of the Nueces River, participants complete activities that help them to grow as individuals, build self-confidence, and learn to take calculated risks. 

Seniors will spend a week on and off campus exploring skills and strategies that will serve them well in their lives after graduation. Examples of topics covered include: