THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
Outdoor adventure is a central theme at
Midnight Mountain. We believe that the
power and authenticity of nature provide an unsurpassed
environment in which personal growth can be achieved. Nowhere in
today's world are the fundamental lessons for life more "real"
than in nature, for here, success is determined by the ability to
pay attention, to prepare wisely, to make good choices, to adapt
and adjust to change, and to tap into the inner strength and
courage necessary to overcome challenges. In nature the
consequences for a student's actions or inactions become quickly
apparent.
Our staff are experienced and trained at instructing students
in the safety considerations and skills necessary to become
proficient and knowledgeable in each of the outdoor activities in
which they will be engaged. During spring, summer and fall,
students will participate in hiking, trail running, rock climbing,
backpacking, mountain biking, and canoeing. Whenever snow is
available, students will learn safe winter travel techniques as
they snowshoe, back country ski and experience winter camping.
Students work with staff to prepare for each and every aspect
of these adventures. Route choice, meal planning, and group and
personal equipment needs. As well, students and staff work closely
together to determine how appropriate an activity may be
considering each community member's abilities. As students become
empowered and invested in creating a quality experience, they will
become accountable and responsible for the decisions that they
helped to make.
ON THE HOME FRONT
With the guidance of mature and experienced staff, students
participate in all aspects of daily living. Days begin with the
dawning of the sun for a time of quiet reflection, followed by
physical fitness training. Students plan and prepare breakfast in
the community yurt. During this time students discuss their plans
and are assigned
activities. A sense of ownership in the
decision-making prevails which allows students to take pride in
their work. A typical day may include building projects,
gardening, brush clearing, gathering fire wood, landscaping, study
assignments, or taking trips to town to purchase food and
supplies. Students are responsible for maintaining their group and
personal living areas as well as budgeting, planning and preparing
all meals. As students demonstrate readiness they are given the
duty of serving as "manager" or job foreman and have a real-life
opportunity to explore the responsibilities that come with
leadership.
Our staff are always present and they are highly skilled at
processing and turning natural, daily situations into powerful,
teachable moments. In this way, both individual and group
counseling is integrated into the fabric of everyday life.
Without the distractions and influences of our frantic-paced
society, students have time to reflect upon and experience the
rewards, as well as the consequences, of the choices they made
throughout the day.
PROGRAM GOALS AND OUTCOMES
Our goal at
Midnight
Mountain is to
assist our students as they move toward responsible adulthood. In
order for this to happen, the students must become responsible and
accountable for the health and welfare of themselves and their
community. A shift from relying on external factors for their
motivation to an internal desire or self-reliance occurs as they
begin accepting the responsibility to take control of their life
and become accountable for their actions. With staff guidance and
support, the student community will create a framework of
acceptable behaviors and goals with which to govern and monitor
themselves and each other. This framework provides an essential
and necessary tool for the maturation process. Students mature as
they practice effective communication through giving and receiving
honest feedback, becoming accountable for their actions, and
learning to respect themselves and others. Opportunity for
leadership skills emerge as students began to set limits and
determine appropriate discipline for inappropriate behaviors or
infractions of group rules. Students recognize that there are
always consequences for the choices they make. As a sense of their
own power and ability is realized, they no longer look to someone
else to be in charge, they recognize that they are a capable and
intelligent person and possess the ability to make choices that
endorse a successful and healthy life.
It is our goal that upon graduation from
Midnight Mountain Pathways to
Adulthood,
students will exhibit the following:
