Reaching New Heights at Camp Medeba

Our Grade 11 Healthy Living and Outdoor Activities (OE) classes travelled to Camp Medeba last week to participate in “Adrenaline Days”. As they wait for the remainder of the winter thaw that will allow rivers to flow for Moving Water in the spring, the classes are focussing on leadership skills, communication, and team-building. With the seasons changing, it gives students the perfect opportunity to focus on fun and exhilarating activities that push them outside of their comfort zones. 

Our OE classes use Camp Medeba for Ice Climbing in January and February to gain some experience and learn new skills while building trust, communication and collaboration skills. Students learn how to climb ice, zipline, and then get hauled up to the top of a pole and dropped on the Giant Swing. These experiences, while thrilling and fun, also help students take personal risks and push their limits to achieve what they feel may be impossible. 

“We had to cancel two of these trips in January due to pandemic restrictions following Christmas. In February, the Integrated Grade 11 OE classes were able to attend the Ice Climbing sessions with Mr. Bemrose and Ms. Connelly. We thought that all of the other single-credit classes were going to miss out, but we were able to set up our trip for this past week!” - Mr. Andras

Mr. Andras' class travelled to Medeba on March 24 and Mr. Bemrose and Ms. Bugeia’s class was there on March 25. Unfortunately, the Ice Wall had collapsed in the warmer weather of early March and so it would have been unsafe for the students to climb. Despite this unexpected situation, the classes were still able to make exceptional use of the facility! Students split into two groups; the first group tried the zipline and the Giant Swing and the second group tried two new high ropes elements that aren’t available at LCS—the Leap of Faith and the Jacobs Ladder. 

The Leap of Faith starts with participants climbing a large pole; once at the top, they must get into a standing position atop a tiny wooden platform. The pole shakes and sways in the wind and under the weight of the climber, making it challenging and frightening. The instructor then asks the climber to work their toes over the edge and then jump to a suspended orange ball hanging 15 to 20 feet away from the platform. Supported by only the rope and harness, it is a real mental challenge to leap into mid-air, stretch for, and hit the ball. Knowing that the instructor has you on a belay is often not enough to give you the faith to make the leap. In this exercise, students need positive encouragement and cheering from their fellow classmates to help give them the courage and faith to leap! This is where communication and trust skills are strengthened among peers.

The Jacobs Ladder is another challenge that demands students to climb a 35-foot ladder that becomes increasingly difficult to mount the higher your climb. With help, one student can steady the ladder to make it easier for another. The second climber must then climb the rope ladder with little help. The final challenge is for students to support each other to stand on top of the 1.5-inch edge of the ladder, with only the physical support of their partner and the emotional support from their peers belaying them from the ground. 

Despite the cold and damp conditions, students were well prepared and had an excellent experience! As they climbed back on the bus, there was plenty of laughter and noise while they recounted the highlights of the day. This trip to Camp Medeba was an excellent way to get back to social activities and support each other through tough times! Our OE classes look forward to being the first ones to get out and learn how to paddle Moving Water in the spring after a two-year hiatus!