A beloved and integral part of Chapin’s Middle School experience is the overnight trip in both Class 6 and Class 7. Extending their academic studies beyond the classroom, the students travel outside of the city each fall for hands-on learning and grade-wide bonding.
This year, Class 6 spent three days in upstate New York at The Ashokan Center, the mission of which is “to inspire learning and build community through shared experiences in nature, history, music and art.” Meanwhile, Class 7 headed south, where they spent three days immersed in the historic city of Philadelphia.
After settling into their bunks amidst the beautiful fall foliage, Class 6 split into groups for various outdoor activities. Teamwork and communication skills were in full use as they hiked to Cathedral Gorge, navigated a ropes course, and made their own cider by pressing locally grown apples with an antique press.
During their trip, the students played various sports, went canoeing, observed animals on the property and learned some survival skills. Their nights were spent by a campfire — with s’mores and a sing-along led by Middle School Chinese Teacher Lin Wang — or stargazing with friends.
Class 7 began their field trip with an audio tour of Eastern State Penitentiary. From there, they visited Independence National Historical Park, where they heard from a park ranger, and next saw the Liberty Bell. After some down time at their hotel, the Class and their chaperones boarded a cruise at Penn’s Landing for a special excursion around the Delaware River. The students had a blast as they enjoyed stunning views, dinner and dancing.
Their next two days featured stops at the Franklin Institute, the Museum of the American Revolution and the National Liberty Museum. Before heading back to 100 East End Avenue, the seventh graders stopped by Reading Terminal Market for lunch and toured the Longwood Gardens, which features more than 9,000 species and varieties of plants.
These trips served as wonderful community building experiences and academic adventures for all!
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