My counter cultural middle school experience

How I spent my three middle school years at an outdoor school

As covid spread throughout the country- little did I know that I would spend my entire middle school experience in an outdoor school. Believe it or not- I wouldn’t exchange it for anything else in the world. 

The hybrid homeschool I attended was called Scent of Water (SOW). The program was similar to a mix between forest school and montessori. There were about forty kids when I joined, and classes consisted of mixed grades (picture little house on the prairie). Instead of the rush of ringing bells and switching classes, we had integral studies while sitting on circles of logs or reading in the gardens. Rain or shine we were outside. 

I remember one particular day when it was pouring cold rain, mud half a foot deep (or so it felt) probably 30 degrees outside-  so why was there a smile on my face when I walked outside to get into our car for school? I once tried to explain this to my mom when she asked me why I was so happy after coming home drenched-  and a little numb in the toes. I told her; the rainy days are the ones I remember best of all, because those are the days I have the most fun. 

I loved my experience at Scent of Water for so many reasons. But today I’ll just share a few. To begin, having classes with mixed grades taught me so much on how I can learn from those younger and older than me. I joined SOW when I was in sixth grade and continued until 8th. Starting as the youngest grade in the class gave me such admiration for the older students. I learned to ask questions and how to be an effective leader and patient listener.  I’ll never forget when my teacher pulled me and another girl aside and gave us a lesson in leadership.  We learned how to understand and respect the rest of our class and how to create opportunities for them to shine, rather than us being the first ones to speak.

Coming from the public school system- I was stunned by the freedom teachers gave to us as middle schoolers. Now, I didn’t have to raise my hand, instead we talked in seminars. I no longer had to cram before class for a standardized test- instead they evaluated my growth in character. Giving middle schoolers the freedom to take on new projects, explore the woods with walkie talkies, and taking other risks was something that seems contrary to my experience in public school. Some of my favorite memories include writing, and producing an entire play with my middle school class in less than two weeks.  We were also the chief encouragers of the younger classes, who wrote and produced amazing musicals each year.

This brings me on to my next point. As I was reflecting on my middle school experience,  I realized how S.O.W preserved my childhood to a longer extent compared to traditional school. There was no drama, or mature talk that was inappropriate. Instead it was just a lot of boys and girls having fun together.  At recess I have sweet memories of braiding the hair of the little kindergartner girls’ with wild daffodils and ‘hiring’ the younger boys to bring bamboo for our teepees. 

The relationships with the students have been so life giving. Though many  have gone different paths for highschool- those that I meet at SOW have remained lasting friendships. Afterall, how could I not stay friends with students who learned the definition of grit and endurance- and who were not afraid of an adventure in the woods. They walked alongside with me as we learned that education is a privilege.  Deep down- I feel like they will be lifelong friendships. 

The relationships have not only been between the students – but between the teachers and students too. For many people that came from traditional school environments- this at first felt strange. There was no shame anymore to walk with a teacher one on one or to call them outside of school for advice. All the teachers wanted to be there, they wanted freedom for us to make mistakes and take risks- they wanted to see us mature and blossom.  I’m in high school now and currently I am illustrating a book for one of my middle school teachers.  Another one is helping me turn our woods into an edible woodland garden.  And when I struggled to understand a certain time period in history, I reached out to one of my teachers who brought so much life and context to the time and characters I was reading about.

Perhaps one of my favorite things about SOW is the outdoor aspect. I know a lot of friends who would feel lucky to go to a camp that is outdoors to sit around circles of logs and go on nature walks. I consider myself so blessed that I was able to have three years of my education in this beautiful outdoor environment.  Reading Shakespeare by the fire, memorizing and singing together old traditional hymns, analyzing Animal Farm characters and discussing communism, and reenacting World War II scenes are some of my outdoor moments that are etched in my memories.

 I got to witness boys who would normally be restless in a stuffed up classroom- thrive outside. For myself- being outside and doing sit spots ( sitting in the woods for 30 minutes without talking to anyone) taught me how to observe. Slowly I began noticing how I could see more details in nature. A bird was no longer just a bird to me- I learned how to identify all of our native species. Colors became more vibrant and as an artist I have noticed how my art has improved. The beauty of observation was not only transformed in my love for nature- but in literature and conversation.  All of these precious gifts have been revealed through awakening within me the lost art of observation. 

I have not encountered another school that creates such a love for the outdoors, a safe environment to grow and learn as a community, and understand that education is a privilege-  as Scent of Water has done for me. Students learn grit and endurance and at the same time are filled with wonder and joy from being outside. They taught in such a way that revealed to me what education really is. It is the exploration, discovery and growth of one’s character and the inspiration to be lifelong learners

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