Student Reflections
Excerpt from a Winter Expedition Journal
Experiential Education I (a.k.a. "Bounder")
by Matt Roberts, Class of 2005
Thursday, December 13th
Today we began our expedition. It was raining this morning. To
be honest, I wasn't very hopeful. I thought ice, rain, and icy
rain were going to destroy our group's moral. Much to my surprise
the weather was forgiving. Our group was happy all day. Now we
lie in our warm bags ready for sleep with food in our stomachs
and smiles on our faces.
The hike and making camp has
already challenged my interpersonal skills...
In the future I will be able
to draw on this experience as one of the times I overcame adverse
conditions. Understanding my
emotions is one of my personal challenges. I am grateful I am
on this expedition. Besides being a lot of fun, I am also able
to grow on an individual level.
Friday, December 14th
Today we woke up warm and comfortable. The tiny accumulation
of snow from the middle of the week had vanished by the time
we awoke. I put on my rain pants anyway, preparing for the worst.
The weather, however, was remarkably nice. We were out of camp
just a little late today. Our group followed the whole way; we
didn't lead at all. It was kind of nice. We sang camp songs and
joked around from summit to summit.
We found a nice level spot for
camp on the east side of the range. We tried a new design for
our shelter tonight—a two-ridge-pole
method with a cross support. This method worked for Adam, Laura,
and Israel.
Just as we finished dinner, a
few snowflakes started to fall. This is it—the beginning of winter. I can't believe it.
It's finally here. That season's lift pass to Stowe won't go
to waste after all. I wonder how much will accumulate. This weather
may make hiking more difficult tomorrow. After nice, warm weather
and clear skies all day, the crummy blizzard hiking conditions
serendipitously came overnight while we were all snuggled into
our sleeping bags.
I am looking forward to tomorrow
when we can lead through the snow. Fresh tracks!
Saturday, December 15th
Our shelter caved in last night! I woke up with snow all around
me. It was a major pain. Luckily it wasn't too cold. I pulled
myself out and wiped all the snow off the others. Now we know
how not to do it.
We led right up the mountain
through the snow. Group 2 broke trail all morning. We were all
kind of slowed down this morning
in more ways than one. We didn't even leave camp until 10:15.
Never the less, Group 2 had a mission—Bigelow by lunch.
We pushed on up the peaks, periodically checking our azimuth
and truing our course. For the first time in my life the contours
on the map are really making sense. I can visualize the hill
after studying the map. I always understood the concept, but
actually seeing the sides of the hills, the different gradients,
and how the rolling slopes rise and fall really makes orienteering
a lot of fun. This is a skill I will use for the rest of my life.
I am redefining myself more and more.
I feel I am getting to know everyone
better. In the same way I think they are probably getting to
know me better, as well.
This is a funny thought because I have never been a spokesperson
for a group of people before (except as captain of the football
team) and my actions today are what these people are going to
think of me as. Again, I am given the opportunity to recreate
or redefine myself. College is a lot of learning.
I got an overwhelming sense of
joy when we found those flamingoes in the tree. Seeing them visually
made the mental connection
between me and the other Bounder groups in the past.
Sunday, December 16th
Our shelter was top notch last night! After having one fall apart
on us, we were determined to build a sturdy structure. Failure
is a great way to learn, as long as you correct your mistakes.
Our fire was the greatest fire
I have ever built. The firewood was plentiful. As a matter of
fact, we had so much in the morning
when we took our shelter apart that we offered it to Logan, Matt,
and Beth. I ended up running two armloads to both them and Adam,
Israel, and Laura, and another down to Phil and Andrew. Everybody
appreciated that. Our group wasn't last getting out of camp,
either.
Today we ran into a bit of a
confusing episode. Group 2 was in the lead and we were looking
for the 4-wheel drive road that
would lead us back to campus. We came along an old logging road.
We weren't sure which way to go. Some people wanted to go one
way, others the opposite. I felt like people were looking to
me for the answers. They kept asking me if I know what was going
to happen next.
This territory was just as foreign
to me as it was to everyone else. Looking for guidance, we asked
the instructors for their
opinion. Instead of bailing us out, they encouraged us to come
to a group consensus. After much deliberation, group 2 again
led on. Soon we came upon the 4-wheel drive road assuring the
group we'd made the best choice. Looking back on this potentially
difficult situation, I'm glad we weren't offered the crutch of
the instructor's help. We were forced to make the decisions for
ourselves. We were forced to trust in ourselves to make the right
decision for the whole group. I thank our instructors for allowing
us to be challenged.
We made it! The Common was loud
as we crested the hill. Completion provides such a great feeling.
What a sigh of relief. I am so
happy. I am dirty! You don't really notice it on the trail—it’s
all relative.
All hail all Winter Expeditioners!
Notes from Internship Experiences
“
It is my belief that a student is expected to return from an
internship with new skills and experiences. Not only do I return
with these things, but I also return with a new sense of professionalism
in my work, regardless of how menial the task. After being taken
seriously by someone in a real world situation such as Dr. Chace,
it is much easier for me to imagine myself making a difference
as well.” Chris Goodwin, Summer Intern 2004
“
The most valuable thing I got out of the internship was a new
ability to leave everything and travel. This is the first time
I left home for a long period of time without seeing where I
was going first. It is a new thrill that has gotten into my soul
and will never leave. I feel like I’ve overcome a major
obstacle somehow.” Anika Klem, Fall Intern 2004
“
My internship relates to my education at Sterling through the
Work Program. Sterling College and Ho’oulu Farm have both
been key experiences that have shaped my ability to perform laborious
activities.” Jennifer Kaminski, Fall Intern 2004
“
This internship has sparked a lot of ideas for my future and
the way I want to live in this world. I feel that this internship
will influence the choices I make for the rest of my life. I
see many things here that I want to integrate into my future.
I will certainly be growing my own food in the future.” Hillary
Mahony, Fall Intern 2004
“
This internship at Hartley Nature Center relates directly to
my education at Sterling. . . . .For the rest of my life, I want
to be able to forge a relationship between me and the landscape
that I reside in. I don’t know if my career path will always
be heading towards resource management, but I know I’ll
always have my ear to the ground, my eyes to the sky, my nose
to the wind, my mouth to the fruits of the trees, and my hands
working for the plot of earth I live on.” Hannah Vollmer,
Fall Intern 2004
“
There has been so much academic, farming, and personal growth
gained from this experience.” Eric Socha, Summer Intern
2004
“
I’m learning another way to live. The possibilities are
becoming apparent and seeming ever more possible. One day I hope
to live the way that I am dreaming of now. I feel that this summer
has helped me take a giant step.” David Earle, Summer
Intern 2004
“
I really learned how much kids can teach me. I think everyone
should get an opportunity to work with kids some time in their
lives.” Kati Adams, Summer Intern 2004
“
An internship through Sterling College is worth 6 credits toward
a student’s degree. As I am going through the internship
process, I am realizing its worth is a whole lot more than these
credits.” Jessica Marshall, Summer Intern 2004
“
This week I was thinking about the challenges we face in Bounder,
and how Ned talks about how facing these challenges is akin to
facing challenges in everyday life. Some skills we learn in Bounder
that I have found useful this week are persistence, teamwork,
compromise, courage, and attention to detail. I have found myself
relating the challenges I experience with Carol [my supervisor]
to the challenges I faced on Expedition and whitewater canoeing.” Michelle
Connair, Summer Intern 2004
“
This season has shown me many parallels between my education
at Sterling and working in an actual farming community. Foremost,
many of the skills I gained from ag classes, reverence for wood,
tools and farm projects have proved to be very valuable to this
experience. In a more subtle way, I’ve noticed how other
classes--watershed, ecology, humans in the environment, fish
and wildlife--have given me a deeper understanding of the processes
and cycles that I witness in the plants, soil, and woods around
me. In addition, I have a better understanding of how the farms
choices affect the land and water around us.” Maggie
Leasure, Fall Intern 2003
“
Classes like Foundations of Outdoor Education, Small Group Dynamics,
Group Process for Outdoor Leaders, and Bounder are what have
given me the skills to pursue this internship and flourish in
my position. This internship is also an immense stepping stone
in terms of what I want to do in the future. My goal while at
Sterling has been to work in the field instructing courses. This
internship has given me an understanding of what I need to work
in this field and what type of program I’m looking for.” Julie
Imonti, Summer Intern 2002
“
To be a part of someone’s life no matter how important
your role is, to make someone’s life a little bit easier,
should be the goal of not only interns but everyone who enjoys
the feeling of accomplishment.” Trevor Watts, Fall Intern
2001
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Project—SARP
