Middle School Outdoor Days: Adventure, Service, and Lasting Memories

Last week our Middle Schoolers spent three days in our backyard. They were on the outdoor days doing bonding activities in Quinta do Pisão and Pedra Amarela in the Sintra-Cascais National Park. We were very fortunate with the weather, temperatures in the mid 20’s and a rare three days of little to no breeze. It was the perfect setting for navigating the ropes course, orienteering, archery, zip lining and being at one with nature. Students became passionate about identifying tree types and harvesting the local edible fruit (wild strawberry tree berries). They also were enthusiastic about rolling their sleeves up and performing a service activity for the park clearing an Australian invasive species (aka black wattle) that is threatening the park. Even during unstructured times, students had a great time creating their own activities such as pine-cone softball, building a mansion shelter, or constructing a fun park for insects!

These days we spend with our friends in the natural environment not only bring us closer together, but create long-lasting memories of the Middle School experience.

(Text by Mr. Price)