High school students embrace challenges and bond as a team at ropes course

Two students working together during the rope course

Katie Stalter

September 11, 2024

Last week, Miriam High School students stretched their comfort zones at the Principia School Challenge Course. Each student selected from a variety of activities, including low and high ropes courses and a 35-foot climbing wall.

Students pushed their limits and tested their courage, problem-solving and communication skills. One high school student, Mariah, said she loved how everyone was working together. “It really was team building,” she said. “I didn’t expect it to be quite that high off the ground, but I liked it. I felt safe.”

Morgan, another student, said she was excited about the outing because she enjoys activities like this. Then that morning, her mom told her to be careful - so that made her more cautious. She must have felt pretty confident, because even on the high ropes course, she went above and beyond.

“I guess I was doing it more quickly than people usually do, because the person helping us suggested I do even more. He was helping me push my own limits,” Morgan said.

Meaghan Mittler, the high school’s community liaison and coordinator of this outing, said, “This tradition dates back to the very beginning of Miriam High School. It’s an amazing experience to watch the kids push themselves a little further each year while making connections with peers and working together.”

For faculty, it is truly rewarding to witness the students’ growth year after year. For example, one student who was barely comfortable even being near the challenge course last year made significant progress. He successfully climbed to the first level of the course, and with much encouragement and emotional support, he safely descended.

After their experience on the course, students shared their new goals, such as climbing higher on the rock wall next time, or moving to the high-ropes course instead of sticking to the low course they completed previously.

“Taking safe risks is important for kids to experience,” said Dr. Mike Kuhn, another teacher who attended the outing. He said students bring those risk-taking skills back to the classroom and are more open to trying new things here in school.

Morgan said she could tell a difference in the freshman class after the activity. “Some of us who were more in our shell kind of came out of it, and all of us just became closer,” she said. “Team building can be difficult, but once you get there, it’s amazing how people pull together.”

Want to see more from this exciting day? Check out the rest of the photos on our Facebook page.

Discovery Days at Miriam

During out-of-school learning experiences like Discovery Day, students navigate conflict, practice problem-solving, and make decisions that prepare them for life beyond high school. Miriam partners with businesses and organizations to provide these valuable experiences.

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