At Prairie Hill Waldorf School, we believe that education happens everywhere—not just in a classroom. Our sixth graders recently kicked off their year with an incredible three-day adventure to Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, a UW-Extension camp near the Wisconsin Dells. This immersive trip was the perfect way to build a strong classroom community and start the school year on an unforgettable note.
The students didn’t just spend their time outdoors; they immersed themselves in it. The camp served as a living classroom where lessons in geography and astronomy came to life. Instead of reading about constellations in a textbook, they were under a blanket of stars, learning to identify celestial bodies with the naked eye. Rather than just seeing a map on a screen, they were navigating the diverse landscape of the Wisconsin River ecosystem, learning to appreciate the natural world firsthand.
Beyond the academic lessons, the trip was a powerful exercise in teambuilding and personal growth. Students worked together to conquer challenges on a ropes course, built trust and communication skills during canoeing expeditions, and shared moments of fun and collaboration around the campfire. These experiences are invaluable, helping to strengthen the bonds between students and faculty and creating a supportive community that will carry them through the year. This hands-on, shared experience is a hallmark of our Waldorf education and is a powerful way for students to build emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills.
This adventure at Upham Woods is a great example of our commitment to experiential learning and our belief in balancing academic rigor with real-world application. It’s through experiences like these that children build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and truly come to know themselves and each other. We are so proud of our sixth graders and can’t wait to see what they accomplish this year!