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Early on a Saturday morning
this group of high school students have volunteered to leave the comforts of
suburban civilization, headed to a classroom with the lessons are often
found in the hills,
amongst the trees, or soaring high above
the Douglas County Outdoor Education Centre is a place of adventure,
>>Welcome guys! >>Where the kids can be pushed out of their comfort zones.
>>That's why from the moment they arrive the staff works to pull the teens out of
their shells
>>Leaders! >> And into new experiences.
>> Most importantly, have fun today enjoy it. >> That's important because in just a few
weeks roles will be reversed.
>>Leaders. >> And these high schoolers
will be the ones greeting in leading sixth great students from across the district.
>>Our message from the moment they get off the bus is about we
our team here. 'We got your back' is our mantra.
>>Yeah, good job. You give them that rock. You give them those scissors. >> There is a lot to learn before then
From team building activities,
to the many issues that adolescence may be struggling with.
>> Remember six grade it was the first time we really started to think about
you what's my friendship group? >> I think it's been an eye-opening experience
that...
I didn't realize sixth-graders are so different from us. >>The high school leaders job
is to support the kids so that they can focus on the academic lessons to be
learned. >>We talk a lot about
'C' out here. Critical Thinking, Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity. 'C' >>Being on time is
really important. >> After all this is isn't a summer camp. It's a school in the great
outdoors.
>>We constantly are going over the 4 C's >>Even the bunk houses have a reminder of
those key skills.
>>It's a dual zip line so two of you may be going at the same time. >> The outdoor ed center gives
kids the opportunity to experience things
they just can't in a classroom. >> Another reason we put our helmets on first is...
>>Life skills like being resilient when facing what appears to be
insurmountable obstacles. >>A challenge is climbing up this hill
A challenge is stepping out onto this platform. This can be very scary.
>>You've got some butterflies? Oh Yeah
More than a few. >>...And knowing when it's safe to take measured risks
>>Awesome >>And how are you?
>>We check their heart to make sure they're feeling okay
>>Can I tell you I'm so impressed with these kids, because they step out on the
platform
and they'll tell me 'I'm terrified. I'm terrified, but I'm gonna do this.' And
the minute they get the on-zip, I step aside and
and they just jump off and
it's amazing to see them face their fears that way it impresses me.
This challenge by choice and this fear of facing
a physical challenge, you can take that to life anyway.
>>At a the teachers and leaders here believe the work being done will help to nurture
generations of leaders in Douglas County.
>>Hopefully these fifth and sixth graders in a few years they'll
sayingI was here on this platform and I'm high school lead
>>Our intent
from grabbing an embracing these little kids is that we're developing leadership
even beyond graduation from high school.
>>And the cycle begins right now
with these high school leads. >>Everywhere?
>>This is the best. This is what it's all about. This day is a day that so many of us
truly live for. Its life changing for the kids.