Building Belonging: More Than S'mores
One of the first lessons San Miguel students learn when they arrive is unconventional for a city middle school: how to pitch a tent. Yet this skill proves critical in one of the first of many beloved traditions San Miguel students enjoy at the start of the year.
For two days in early September, students and faculty take learning far outside the classroom, setting up camp in Maryland’s Patapsco Valley State Park for San Miguel’s annual camping trip. This year, long stretches of idyllic weather allowed for an action-packed trip, filled with hiking wooded trails to the river, crossing paths with turtles on scavenger hunts, capturing the scenery through art, and sharing s’mores and stories around the campfire.
These activities make the trip a true highlight for students, but it’s more than a fun excursion. The program is intentionally designed to challenge students and force them to rely on each other. Graduate Director Alfonso Motta, who helped establish this trip in 2013, feels that’s a critical takeaway.
“One of the things that I emphasize during the camping trips is that the goal is to get out of your comfort zone, " explains Motta. “The idea is that growing as a person involves learning how to be uncomfortable with change, and then adapting. For many of our guys, camping is a great opportunity to be uncomfortable. These are building blocks that prepare them for high school, college, and life.”
Throughout the trip, students take part in activities with other members of their San Miguel House—one of four groups that brings students together across all three grade levels. Upperclassmen provide pointers on tent assembly to their underclassmen tent-mates, and students across grade levels band together to navigate hikes and compete in contests. This, too, is by design. President Dr. David Palank speaks to the rationale:
“Especially for our newer students, this kind of grouping creates a sense of belonging and connection to the school community. Students who feel a strong sense of belonging are more likely to be motivated, engaged in their studies, and participate in classroom activities.”
Talking with students after the trip, it’s clear this aspect of the trip achieved its goal. Eighth-grade student Victor D. shared a reflection that was echoed among dozens of other students: “The camping trip was a great experience, giving me so much fun time with my peers and helping me understand them better than before. We stayed up late talking in our tent, and I’m very grateful that I grew a better relationship with my classmates.”
“I felt like a big brother.”
Research indicates that a “sense of belonging” begins to wane in middle school. However, there's a positive link between this feeling of belonging and academic achievement. This is especially true for students from underserved backgrounds. Students remain in the same house throughout all three years of their San Miguel journey, and participate in other activities as a house, like field day, to strengthen the bond.
The camping trip is only two days, but when the buses roll back down Georgia Avenue, it’s not just the fond memories that endure. The brotherhood strengthened in the forest has gained deeper roots—and will only continue to grow throughout the rest of students’ journey at San Miguel.