Mountain Day - 15 Years and Counting
On October 10, 2012, the students and faculty of The Beech Hill School loaded up a few cars and headed north to Cardigan Mountain. This was the very first Mountain Day in school history. That hike was one of the most demanding hikes that the school has ever taken, as a storm developed near the peak of Cardigan. Blustery winds and biting rain greeted the intrepid hikers at the exposed peak, forcing the group to push through the elements. During the hike, I was concerned that we might be asking too much from our middle school students. The students and faculty, however, pushed through the challenges, supporting one another – sharing dry layers, water, and positivity. On the way home, I called an audible and we stopped at a Dunkin’ Donuts where I was able to provide hot chocolate for all. Despite the extreme weather and the rigorous hike, spirits were high and the group felt a strong sense of satisfaction in completing such an arduous task.
The intent of the hike was to get the students into nature to observe the autumnal beauty of New Hampshire. Instead, we witnessed Mother Nature’s power more than her beauty. Through it all, however, we discovered that Mountain Day presents a myriad of opportunities for self-discovery and community building.
Fifteen years later, the students and faculty of The Beech Hill School still hike together as a community, and Mountain Day is now the oldest tradition at BHS. This year, we were fortunate to have a much better day to hike, and the trail was not as treacherous as the one we took in the fall of 2012. This did not, however, diminish the fact that all our students learned lessons that could never be replicated in a classroom. Some overcame perceived limitations, while others learned how to work in a group. In the end, every student and faculty member took something from our hike that will serve them well throughout the remainder of the school year and beyond.
Over time, the purpose and utility of traditions can become lost. This is not the case with Mountain Day, as year in and year out, our community continues to reap the benefits of our time in nature, together. I am already looking forward to next year’s hike up Mount Major!