Solo Walks Introduced to Middle School Curriculum

“I felt peaceful and tranquil, and I saw two ladybugs and purple and yellow flowers.”

“I liked the way the sun felt on my back as I walked. It was calming.”

“I heard the birds and bugs, and I felt alone and calm.”

As the nation’s only independent school located in a national park, Old Trail not only has a beautiful setting to call home but, more importantly, is able to provide its students with daily access to distinctive learning experiences in the natural world.

In the fall, as part of an expanded outdoor education curriculum in the Middle School division, seventh and eighth grade students were asked to take solo walks through the white pines and the wildflower loop on campus to observe their surroundings.

“The teachers weren’t sure what to expect from the student reflections,” recalled Middle School Director Hallie Ritzman ’95. “Would these middle schoolers think the activity was silly? Would they be too young for this? Would they simply want to talk to their friends instead?”

Pleasantly, student reflections emphasized an impressive sense of awareness, both of their surroundings and their wellbeing, as well as an increased personal appreciation of nature and wildlife.

Research supports that time spent in the natural world enhances higher-order thinking, restores attention, elevates critical-thinking skills and boosts creativity—all qualities that counteract the negative effects of technology and are shared by the 21st century’s most effective leaders.

“It was such a joy to hear students reflect about the ways in which our campus and our curriculum help them cultivate a sense of calm and tranquility during the school day,” Ritzman said.

The activity was one of several this year designed to incorporate more outdoor experiences into the Middle School curriculum. The initiative has been driven by science teachers Kathleen Marsicano and Margi Gilbert, and Director of Experiential & Nature-

Based Learning Erin McNamara. The trio presented their vision of what an expanded program could look like for Middle School students to Mrs. Ritzman at the start of the school year.

“Kathleen has worked for a number of years to create an outdoor education experience for her Grade 6 science students, and they begged her for more in subsequent years!” Ritzman added.

The result has been a win-win for students and teachers alike. Other activities have included hikes to Buckeye Trail to learn about trail blazes, nature journaling (including sketches and grounding techniques), trail etiquette and safety, weather preparation and orientation. The students gain all the advantages of being outside—engaging with and immersing their experiences within our incredible 62-acre campus within Cuyahoga Valley National Park—without sacrificing the critical learning opportunities throughout the school day.