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Choices Expeditions: In 2006 Choices served 433 students on Choices expeditions on Thompson Island. Students were from eight different Boston Public Schools including: The Fenway High School (Boston); Patrick F. Gavin Middle School (South Boston); Harbor School (Dorchester); Hernandez School (Roxbury); John W. McCormack School (Dorchester); William Barton Rogers School (Hyde Park); Mildred Avenue School (Mattapan); and the Boston Community Leadership Academy (Brighton) and were (on average) 57% black; 23% Hispanic; 10% white; and 8% Asian.
Every week in the spring and fall of 2006, groups of Boston Public School students spent five days and four nights living out of backpacks and sleeping in tents at island campsites. They were split into teams to cook, set up camp, endure unpredictable weather, and problem solve.
Throughout the week students completed progressively more challenging Outward Bound initiatives –- group activities requiring cooperation and teamwork designed to develop self-confidence, compassion and leadership skills. Students explored the island’s pristine salt marsh and completed an intense search and rescue activity in a mock life-and-death situation, climbed the 60-foot Alpine Tower, and took turns belaying their classmates as they climbed.
Some Q & A on the program...
What will students do during the week?
First, they'll take a 30-minute boat ride to Thompson Island. Once here, we'll ease them into the program so they get to know our instructors and learn new things about the people in their group. Groups will become tight teams over the course of a week.
Over the next few days, students climb the 60-foot Alpine Tower, simulate search-and-rescue situations, and camp outside. They also explore our salt marsh, woods and beaches. They cook their own meals, climb on our climbing structures, and experience fun and challenging activities with their groups. To remember all these experiences, they'll keep notes and drawings in a workbook. They'll also have many powerful conversations—and focus on ways that they can be strong individuals and leaders, and how to help make their community a better place. And they WILL be able to take showers—but just two during the week!
Where will students sleep and what do they eat?
Students sleep in tents outdoors in almost any weather. If it's cold or stormy, students stay in a shelter with two sleeping bags per person. They have both hot and cold meals including spaghetti, sandwiches, soup, bagels, cookies, fruit, hot chocolate, granola bars and one of our favorite treats—gorp (peanuts, raisins and M&Ms, mixed together). Yum!
How is this experience related to school?
The Choices expeditions were designed to fulfill goals specified in the Boston Public Schools’ Learning Standards, and our instructors lead in-school activities prior to and after the course. There is an expanded program in four schools, where Choices instructors lead teambuilding and conflict-resolution activities in students’ classrooms every week.
How can students come back to Thompson Island after Choices is over?
Follow-up courses like the Green Corps give students the opportunity to come back again. They can also come on our Summer Expeditions.
How can I get more information about Choices?
Call Jacalyn Wallace, Vice President of Programs at 617-328-3900 x 129 or e-mail jwallace@thompsonisland.org.
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