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Masked as fun, Lakeview Middle School students spent Friday on "The Voyage of Discovery," learning concepts such as teamwork, leadership and strategy.
Seventh and eighth graders, mixed together, not only got to meet each other, but also got to pass and kick footballs, run in relays, shoot basketballs, solve math problems, find locations on maps, serve tennis balls, canoe, and hit some volleyballs. The school was split into two groups, each group a mix of the grades. While one group participated in five activities at LMS, the other started their day at Winona Lake Beach Park in another five events. They came together at the park, having a lunch of hot dogs and chips, a candy bar and bottled water, supplied by Penguin Point. Then the two groups switched locations and completed their activities.
LMS teacher Dan Wray said the purpose of the third annual event is two-fold.
First, it gives the students a chance to show what they can do outside the classroom. School is so specific that sometimes students have abilities they don't get to show. The "Voyage" gives them an opportunity to be creative, solve problems and be leaders.
Secondly, middle school is full of cliques. The activity day mixes them up so they can meet others they didn't before. It helps the middle schoolers build bridges between the grades and social groups.
Wray said the idea for the activities came from a brainstorming of a group of people. For example, since the school planned to make use of Winona Lake beach, Wray said it made sense to use the canoes. Another idea was a knockoff of the reality show "Survivor." Over the past three years, ideas have been rotated out for better ideas.
"We try to incorporate some knowledge (activities), team building and skills," said Roger Haeck, teacher.
Teacher Becky Snyder said, "We try to provide them with team building, meeting the academic standards and building friendships."
It's learning, while the students have fun. Snyder also said LMS staff and teachers also build communication with each other outside of the classroom environment.
"We think it's a fantastic way to provide education in a different way, other than the classroom setting," said Snyder.
Eighth grader Nick Harman said, "They're pretty fun, I guess. You have to use teamwork to do them and there's no classes." He said the day's activities taught him the importance of working with others and getting along with others.
"We have to participate together or nothing's going to come out for us," said Ashley Haines, eighth grader. "We have to cheer for each other."
Matt Propp, eighth grader, was a team captain. "I'd have to say the hardest is the balance board type thing, probably because we didn't have a strategy and the boards are 2 inches."
But, Propp said, he learned "teamwork is very important in walking across a big board while laying out street cones."
As a seventh grader, Tyler Snow said, "It's just a great way for everybody to get to know each other."
Each student also receives a t-shirt, designed by art teacher Dawn Strand.
Heidi Walcott is one of the parents who volunteered for the day. She has a child in the seventh grade.
"I think it's a great outlet," she said. "They're doing this after ISTEP, it gives them something fun to do." The students get to know each other and it brings the school together, while they learn teamwork, she said.
And it gave Walcott a chance to be involved as a parent.
"I think it's more important for the parent to be involved. It shows the child you are interested. It helps you meet some of the friends they've met here at middle school," she said.
