From hiking on some of the tallest mountains in the UK in Aberdovey, Wales, to caving in one of the deepest caves of Malham Tarn, Yorkshire, annual trips have now returned to Middle School students after an over three-year break due to Covid-19.
Every May, students in grades five to eight are required to participate in an overnight trip with their grades. For grade eight, in addition to the May trips, students are taken on a four-night experience on the first week of school. For many years, the overnight trip experience has faced a considerable combination of feelings among students, and now that they have returned, many students are discussing whether or not it should be their choice if they are allowed to go. Reasons why students may not wish to attend may differ. Still, some of the most emphasized include the trips physically pushing them too much and some students not feeling comfortable sleeping away from home in such new conditions. It should not be mandatory for all students to participate in overnight trips, and alternatives should be provided for those who wish to not attend.
Numerous emotions have been expressed about how students feel about the concept of overnight trips, with some students being more affected than others. For some, overnight trips feel like a chore rather than a privilege, especially for those stretched out of their comfort zones. Many kids also struggle with health challenges such as asthma, making activities such as hikes and scrambles much more challenging.
Eighth-grader Mayah Kohli took part in a trip to Malham Tarn, Yorkshire, in May of the last school year. She said, “I suffer from bad asthma, and at some points in the hikes we were taken on, I thought I would have to go home. If I didn’t have my inhaler, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do it.”
Next, some students do not wish to participate in these trips as they don’t feel comfortable spending time in the new conditions, especially if their journey requires them to sleep in the wilderness. As part of the four-night trip to The Outward Bound Trust in Aberdovey, Wales, that takes place after just two full days in school for eighth-grade, students participate in long hikes with their advisees. These were followed by a night being spent in a cabin or outside in a tent. For many students, staying away from home for the first time may already be a stretch, but forcing them to also get comfortable without any facilities or, in some cases, beds to sleep in, can cause many to feel stretched or even unsafe.
Although some kids may choose to miss out on the overnight trip experience for various reasons, that should not mean they should be excluded from the skills and lessons learned. While the rest of the grade is away, students who chose to stay in London could still go to school, but instead of a week of usual lessons, they could remain with chaperones that would guide them through team-building activities. This would allow them to pick up skills that others will be learning while away while also spending time bonding with others who made the same decision as them in London.
