Parent Portal
By Alexandra W. ’26
As middle schoolers at Willow, we recently went on our Middle School Adventure Trip—and it was so much fun! The Middle School Adventure Trip is an overnight trip that all middle schoolers at Willow attend together. There were activities that took confidence and trust, while also building friendships. The teamwork activities allowed us to improve our communication skills and work together to solve problems – like when we had to get everyone over a rope without touching or going under it.
The more adventurous activities that we did were the rock wall, low ropes course, archery, and the zipline. Each activity required trust—whether it was trusting your belay team or your own safety skills. At night, we gathered around the campfire, roasted marshmallows, and talked. It felt so cozy, and I remember feeling really safe in that moment.
One experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone was the zipline. We had to climb a tall pole to get to the platform, which required strategy. Once at the top, we are clipped to the zipline, and then we slide off the platform. For a couple of moments, it feels like you are falling, and your heart drops. Then, you have so much fun gliding along the rest of the zipline, feeling the wind in your hair.
Because this was my third adventure trip, I could see how much I’ve grown since sixth grade. In sixth grade, when I first saw the zipline, it was so high up I thought I was not going to try it. But over the years, I’ve gained confidence, and now this year, I had no problem saying I wanted to go on the zipline. I was so proud of myself for being brave!
One of my favorite memories was from seventh grade, when one student started chanting “100 Bottles of Milk on the Wall” at the campfire. Soon, everyone joined in—it made me feel such a strong sense of community—something I’ll never forget.
Willow has prepared me for moments like these by helping me build confidence and independence. We’re encouraged to make decisions, take on leadership roles, and learn from every experience. From service learning trips to presenting at Morning Gatherings, Willow provides me opportunities to prepare for life’s challenges. The independence that we are given, especially in middle school, allows us to make our own decisions and learn from them.
My advice for next year’s students? Try new things, ask for help when you need it, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. You’ll grow so much—and have a lot of fun along the way.
Alexandra shows leadership around campus tending to our gardens
Want to join the Willow community? Start a conversation with our Director of Enrollment Management, Lisa VanderVeen, to see how your child will thrive at Willow.
