Outdoor Fun With CPHS Academy Students

To kick off this month in the fall spirit, Cliffside Park’s Academy students went on an enriching two night trip to Frost Valley YMCA, a camping and education center in upstate New York. I was among these students, and I can confidently say that this trip offered other students and myself exposure to a variety of outdoor activities, such as ziplining, canoeing, and hiking to name a few. The students who attended this trip developed valuable life skills like responsibility, teamwork, and creative thinking.

The majority of students agree that their experiences at Frost Valley brought them closer together. As sophomore Julianna Baldwin put it, “Unity and teamwork were some of the most prominent philosophies that we learned on our trip to Frost Valley. On this trip, we were taught to communicate and trust everybody on our team, which goes far beyond anything that you can learn in class.” One activity that the students participated in that involved practicing trust and cooperation was an obstacle course labeled the

“Vertical Playpen”. This course (pictured on the left) is set over 20 feet in the air and requires critical thinking, coordination, and most of all, faith in one’s fellow peers. In order to safely complete the course, you have to be secured into a harness connected to ropes held by four other students, all of whom were responsible for ensuring that you did not fall. This process is called belaying, and it was only one example of the team building experiences during this trip.

Frost Valley allowed students to develop deep connections with nature and the world around them. With zero access to the internet all weekend, students were forced to look to nature for entertainment. Students went on a hike that introduced them to new perspectives on nature. "Being able to go to Frost Valley was an enthralling experience that I am truly grateful for. Our lodges were right next to the edge of the forest, and I would wake up every day to breathing in the crisp, and clean air as I crossed the bridge over Biscuit River. The trip allowed me to reflect upon, as well as truly value and connect with Nature,” sophomore Pelin Cokuslu said.

Overall, the academy students all had a very pleasant experience at Frost Valley. We were taught many skills that we are sure to carry with us throughout our lives. Sophomore Ata Erda went on to say, “Going on this trip was a memorable experience. It allowed me to participate in so many new activities that I would have never done before!” Our trip to Frost Valley was a memorable one indeed, and we look forward to many more like it!