For the high school trip week, the 11th grade participated in a practicum. Unlike most of the high school field trips that focus on development with those around you, this trip sets an intention of learning and self-discovery. The practicum is a week where each student finds a person, or several people, whom they can shadow in their place of employment. They can shadow one person for all five days, or one person each day, or even a mix of several. The practicum can be done close to home or far away, and often people fly to other places and stay with the people they are shadowing.

This field trip is a learning experience in the sense that you can find out what you want to do (or don't) in terms of a career path and higher education. It is also a great way to create connections and hone skills within a certain area. After a week of shadowing, each person from the class gets to present their experience to the whole high school and faculty. It is a very unique opportunity to share your experience with the school and to listen and learn about the experiences of others. Listening is helpful for all, but particularly the 10th grade because they then can hear about things that may interest them, find out more about how shadowing works and how they might connect to someone for their practicum.

Pine trees. Oak trees. For the twelfth grade trip week, we spent a week escaping the chaos of responsibilities and everyday life in Idyllwild's stunning nature. We spent time reflecting, writing poetry, and soaking up the mesmerizing views. At the culmination of the trip, we shared our reflections, poetry, and art, and by allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, we connected as a group. The trip was a wonderful opportunity for us to explore the connection between the individual's mind and soul through the beautiful simplicity of nature.