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The ropes course helped to establish trust among students.
(Photo courtesy of Mrs. Tinkler) |
WCS Intermediate Students at Camp Coyote
(August 2007) Reading, writing and arithmetic? How about soapy soccer, rock climbing, campfires, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, and high-ropes courses? That may not sound like school, but the fifth and sixth grade intermediate classes at Westbury Christian School enjoyed these activities at their seventh annual Back to School Retreat. This year they went to Camp Coyote, a 2,300 acre working ranch in Huntsville Texas.
But as Mr. Casey Farris, WCS Lower School Principal, said, “This trip is about more than just fun and games.” Farris said, “We go there each year for the team building experience. We consider our fifth and sixth graders to be at an important stage in their lives. We have designed special situations geared at approaching life as a preteen and preparing them for the crazy and uncertain times ahead as a teenager.” According to Farris, research states the intermediate school years can be one of the most fearful times for a student. There is great uncertainty in the developmental stage of adolescence, and most middle school settings can be very overwhelming for a child going through so many changes in their life.
Farris stated, “At WCS we choose to create an environment that fosters their leadership ability and enables them to work together as a team instead of feeling ‘lonely’ or ‘isolated.’ The intermediate retreat is just one of many things the staff does to help grow these students up.”
Farris said that WCS teachers are doing a wonderful job of preparing students by building their study habits and self-esteem. Intermediate students compete in a statewide Academic Meet, participate in a World’s Culture Summit, showcase their talent to the whole student body through their World’s Fair, and lead the lower school in the National Day of Prayer. Intermediate students have many opportunities to mentor younger students on the WCS campus as well.
For more information contact Ann Arnold in the Admissions Office at 713-551-8100. Westbury Christian School is a private, non-profit, culturally diverse school offering unique educational opportunities for pre-k, elementary, middle and high school students. The accredited school is located at 10420 Hillcroft at Willowbend.
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