By now, many of you have probably heard about the many adventures and experiences we encountered during our trip to the Hulbert Outdoor Center, but what is the value beyond an almost guaranteed good time for the students and a potential empty nest for the parents?

The Hulbert model is based on experiential learning where the success or failure of the group is almost entirely dependent on the contributions of the students.  BCD teachers take on the role of observer as Hulbert staff members present challenges for the groups to attempt.  Along the way, group leaders may ask the students to pause and re-evaluate strategies, verbalize frustrations, and recognize successes.  Each challenge seemed to be tailored to the sixth grade age group as they were always physical in nature and usually had a funny backstory.  These challenges also require the participation from each member of the group, usually in a variety of roles, for the task to be successfully completed.  As the week wore on, we began to identify the roles of “leaders,” “workers,” “listeners,” and “communicators.”  Within each group, these roles were often interchangeable and frequently did change during the completion of a task.  By week’s end, the group was able to identify the qualities they valued most in a leader:

  • A good listener
  • A good communicator
  • Able to make suggestions in a non threatening way
  • A problem-solver
  • An encourager
  • A doer

Also by week’s end, each member of the class was comfortable in stating that they personally possessed the qualities of a leader.

When we got back to school on Monday, we had the opportunity to discuss our Hulbert experience during advisory block.  We talked about what we learned about ourselves and the group, about our successes, and about areas for potential improvement as a group.  We identified the following areas that we can work on: being better listeners, becoming more aware of who and what is around us, and respecting one another fully.

These class goals relate beautifully to Mr. Lindenmaier’s opening-of-school message when he asked each member of the school to focus on the school’s core value of “community” which states that “We establish trust, cooperation, and accountability within an atmosphere of belonging where we all invest in the success and well-being of each other.”  While we have begun moving in the right direction as we become a more cohesive group, the journey is one we travel each day and must remain constantly mindful of.  Away from the academic pressures of our Berkshire campus, our trip to Hulbert allowed us to focus on this one aspect of a BCD education.  That is why Hulbert is such an important part of the BCD experience.


For those of you reading this on an ipad or an iphone, you can view the slideshow here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcdtech/sets/72157646620498883/