21 May 9th/10th Etcetera Experience
9th/10th Etcetera Experience
During trip week our 9th and 10th grade students participated in a 3-day experience we called Etcetera. In Latin, et cetera means “and other things.” Or in abbreviated form, “etc.”: Experience – Team Building – Challenge. This experience focused on a combination of team building events and formative experiences that would not only create great memories, but also lay a foundation for the long-range trips that they anticipate in their junior and senior years. Here are the reflections of one of the students who participated:
Trip week started with the school’s version of Amazing Race. The first task was launching eggs and water balloons with a massive slingshot at our friends who then had to catch them in a bucket. Among other things that day, we went to Target and got toys to donate to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and rode the tram up there, went ice blocking at Mt. Tabor, and even went to play soccer golf. The day ended at John’s Incredible Pizza with second place for our team despite Mr. Koch’s best driving efforts. The second day we helped at Lake Bible Church and created one of the most efficient production lines for cleaning tables ever. Then we went to Tryon Creek State Park and a small guitar maker’s studio where we got to see the processes people take to ensure longevity of instruments and nature alike. After a short break the 9th graders went and did a cook off, while the 10th graders went and ate the best food of our lives at Willow in downtown Portland. The next day we drove out to Camp Tilikum. We spent the afternoon doing their ropes challenge course which involved a lot of team building challenges as well as some high flying action. A campfire and s’mores finished our night and trip. This trip was definitely the best we have done yet, and I can’t wait to see what it will look like in coming years.
~Colton Six, 10th Grade
