Reaching The Top

As they looked towards the summit, students and chaperones alike wondered if the climb would be possible.

“Let’s just try it, and if the snow gets too deep, we can turn around,” one girl suggested.

And with that, the entire 8th year class trekked onward, climbing toward the summit of Gray’s Peak, elevation 14,270 feet. While the snow did indeed narrow the path, it did not hinder their resolve to push on and reach the top. Cheering each other on the whole way, the students reached the summit four hours after their hike began.

At Saturday’s Pancake Breakfast, I asked many of them about yesterday’s accomplishment. Instead of complaining about muscle soreness, sunburn, and fatigue, each student was beaming with confidence and pride.

One said, “I didn’t think I could do it, but I did!”

And that is exactly why our Wilderness Education Program is so important. Beginning with our youngest primary students, we safely challenge children to reach outside their comfort zones, shepherding them through over 30 wilderness adventures over the course of their education at MSE. When children experience success after putting forth hard work, they realize their inner strengths.

I was recently visiting with one of our graduates who was actively involved in her college search, and she recounted to me how she felt when she was just a kindergartner going on her first night hike.

“I figured if I could do that, I can do anything!” she said.

Her acceptance letter to Williams College arrived in mail shortly thereafter!