The Forge: Lemont Quarries
ADVENTURE PARKS: THE ULTIMATE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
These attractions encourage students to develop teambuilding skills and physical fitness By Miles Dobis & Dove Rebmann
T
he ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced educators to consider new and creative ways to energize and deepen their lesson plans. Traditionally, an off-site field trip that could reinforce classroom lessons was the ideal way to students to learn in a practical environment and discover attractions in their local community. However, most classrooms are proceeding with a learn-athome approach, meaning most field trips are relegated to a virtual environment. With students itching to escape their living room and teachers seeking a new way to develop exciting outings, a new kind of attraction has filled the gap: outdoor adventure parks. Usually located in a forest, quarry or field, these elaborate parks consist of climbing walls, zip lines and obstacle courses that integrate into the natural environment. Visitors are encouraged to swing between massive trees, climb rock walls and perfect their balance on harnessed rope bridges. Instead of traditional classroom subjects such as biology or history, students instead learn crucial lessons in teambuilding and collaboration—skills that are more crucial than ever in our virus-fractured society. “While engaging in educational opportunities at the park, students learn to build trust with classmates while encouraging communication and bonding, building a classroom culture of collaboration, and mitigating conflict
STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE 2021
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