L.A.I.R.

Last Thursday night I went up to visit our 8th graders who were at Sierra Outdoor School for their three-day excursion called L.A.I.R. I am proud to say that after three years of visiting our 8th grade classes, I've finally figured out what L.A.I.R. stands for (Life's Activities Involving Risk)! This is a fantastic experience for our "big kids" to go out and push themselves individually, and come together as a group. There is a host of activities that the kids do, including leadership and problem-solving games, orienteering, star gazing, night hikes, kayaking across Pinecrest Lake, and a high ropes course with a zip line. Additionally, Mrs. Bickley and Mrs. Reed challenge the kids to look at each other differently. When I was there, we did an activity called "If you really knew me..." that can become very emotional as everyone who wants to lowers their defenses and shares something that no one else knows about them. It is a powerful bonding experience for the kids (and the adults) to be able to see each other with hopes, fears and struggles, and how alike we all really are. Kudos to Mrs. Bickley and Mrs. Ballard and our parent chaperones who really put themselves out there for the students.