By Kandice Kimmel, Latin & History, 5th-8th Grade
It is a rite of passage to go on the traditional sixth grade field trip to Mo Ranch in Hunt, Texas. Mo Ranch is an adventure-based, hands-on expereince where individuals come together to learn more about themselves, their classmates, and how to work together as a team to overcome challenges. Carefully constructed, the course is a collection of poles, cables, and ropes strung together into elements, individual activities that challenge individuals and groups in distinctive ways. The low elements course emphasizes teamwork as participants tackle a series of obstacles and situations that require the use of 21st century skills-problem solving, communication, leadership development, adaptability, initiative, social skills, and more.
Mrs. Denise and I took the sixth grade class to Mo Ranch recently and I was absolutely blown away by my students! They challenged themselves, encouraged their classmates, and had so much fun doing it. They staff was impressed with how effectively and kindly this group of students could communicate with one another. Most adults could not do what I saw these eleven and twelve year old children accomplish. We hiked in the mountains, zip lined, canoed, participated in high elements, team building exercises and made memories to last a lifetime!