Backpacking: Freshmen on
The Appalachian Trail
It is a‘ rite of passage’ at St. Benedict’ s that each Freshman cap his first year by walking the Appalachian Trail during Spring Phase. The freshmen use the first weeks of Spring Phase to learn the technical skills and the group dynamics that are needed to successfully complete the hike. The first year students are assembled into trail groups and are assigned tasks( like navigator, cook, equipment master) and they learn to trust each other, and most importantly to help each other so that every member of the team finishes the Trail experience successfully. Upperclassmen are around to teach their younger brothers, and this year, there were a total of about 200 students from SBP who were involved in this Spring Phase course. This year, upperclassmen who transferred into SBP after their freshman year also were placed into the Backpacking Project. As Mr. Glenn Cassidy reminds us all at the end of the hike, you realize that with the help and company of just a few good friends, everything you need in life you can carry on your back.
Telolog 2013 | Strength In Community 143