Most of the ninth grade class at Valley Forge Military Academy for five days this month traded their classrooms for the AppalachianTrail, hiking through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, learning essential outdoor skills like navigation, camp craft, and backpacking, all while developing teamwork, resilience and leadership, according to the school.
The purpose of the expedition extended far beyond hiking and survival skills. It was designed to bring the new class together and instill the leadership qualities central to the academy’s mission.
By stepping away from their usual routines and into the wilderness, students had to rely on one another, take on responsibilities, and problem-solve in real time.
The journey challenged students to step up as leaders, learning that leadership isn’t just about giving orders, but about supporting and motivating a team.
Faculty leader Justin Lewis, who joined the students on the trek, admitted that the unknown was initially daunting.
“We went into the experience not knowing what was going to occur, and the realm of the unknown can be scary,” he said. “But we really enjoyed the process.”
For many students, it was their first time camping, including one named Jose: “I had never gone camping before, and it was challenging. I overcame my fear of darkness and other challenges, and it showed me I can do it.”
The journey was more than just a physical challenge; it was a test of teamwork and personal growth.
“We started to realize how important everything is as we went on,” Lewis said. “Our teamwork grew dramatically based on all that we learned and the experiences we had.”
Lewis said the shared experience helped students bond.
“The ninth grade class got a lot closer,” he said. “Being with guys you might not speak to every day, you essentially depend on each other. It’s not this group versus that group — we can all coexist. This experience certainly helped with relationship-building among our students.”
Under a new head of school, the academy is integrating experiential learning into the educational journey of every student.
As the program partnership develops, students are engaging in programs that result in a growing intensity of leadership and character development experiences.
Earlier this month, as a part of their new student orientation, 15 midyear enrollees and their orientation leaders tackled Philadelphia Outward Bound School’s aerial ropes course, building confidence and teamwork.
This same group will head out on five-day expedition courses in mid-April following a program progression that Outward Bound has implemented with hundreds of other schools across the region.
Select students and faculty will participate in Outward Bound’s longer summer programs, too.
The new partners plan to continue to grow their relationship and perhaps even bring other grades in on the experience.
As Lewis summed it up, “The feeling of accomplishment on Day 5 was amazing. Knowing that we stepped out of our comfort zones felt great. I’d recommend this to anyone. If you have the opportunity, go and see for yourself. It’s eye-opening.”