LEAP
LEAP stands for "Learning Through Experiential and Adventure Based Programs." River's Way teaches students how to learn through hands-on experiences that are challenging and fun. We do this through in-school programs that involve students working together to solve hands-on problems that require collaboration, creativity and persistence. We also engage students in high ropes programing on the Kent Hales Discovery Challenge Course at River's Way. During the course of a school year, the in- school problem solving and the high ropes combine in a powerful way to teach students how best to learn in school and in life.
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is based on the idea that most people learn best through concrete experiences followed by reflection on those experiences. We can read about how to paint a house, and we can learn something about painting in the process. However, real learning only comes when we experience the painting first hand and then reflect on that experience. Experiential Learning theory says that the most powerful learning occurs in a cycle: experience, reflection on experience and application of learning to a new experience.
In-School Problem Solving
A group of 10 students is challenged to flip a tarp over without changing the position of their hands. Before the students even attempt to solve the problem, River's way staff engage them in a discussion on how the group might function at its best. Typical discussion topics include How do we listen to each other, Why is persistence important, How do we think together, How do we manage our impulsivity and How can we build trust in one another. The group then works together to come up with a plan. The staff may step in to guide the planning process, reminding students of why it is important to listen and why it is important to listen to everyone's ideas. Once the initial planning phase is over, the students try out their solutions, often modifying their plans as they go along. As the problem solving proceeds, staff share observations with the students on how the group is functioning, inviting student insights in turn. By the time the class is completed, regardless of whether or not the students have solved the problem, staff allow time for reflection with a focus on what the students learned about themselves and their group. The lessons from this reflection time are then applied to the next class where the students may face a new problem or where they may continue with the problem that they were not able to solve at first try.
High Ropes
Project LEAP classes usually participate in the Kent Hales Discovery Challenge Course two times during the school year. The course, which was completed in 2007, is based on a relatively new design developed by Challenge Towers located in Todd North Carolina. It is one of 10 such courses in the world.
The Discovery Challenge course is constructed in a square footprint with a telephone pole in each corner. These poles rise to 45 feet. There is also a pole in the middle of the footprint and this pole rises to 55 feet. Challenge elements span the distances between the poles. These elements are built from rope, wood and cable. Participants negotiate these elements which require balance, strength and a strong dose of courage. As they go through the course, participants find themselves going to ever higher levels of elements. Eventually, they get to a point where they have to make a decision on how they exit the course. Their choices are a 600 foot zip line or a swing on the Giant's Swing, literally a giant swing that starts off with a 10 foot free fall!
The Discovery Challenge Course is a critical piece of Project LEAP and powerful complement to the in-school problem solving. The course provides a tremendous physical and mental challenge for anyone who is on it.All the skills that students have acquired in the problem solving portion of LEAP are applied on the high ropes challenges. Persistence is required to move from element to element towards the exit goal. Since students work in a buddy system, they learn to think about others first and they learn to listen to one another. When they are tempted to try transfers on their own, they have to manage their impulsivity and allow their buddies to help them. It is difficult to imagine another experience that leads to so much learning in a setting that is as fun and intense as that provided by the Discovery Challenge Course.
Project LEAP in Practice
We currently run Project LEAP in 17 schools with just under 600 students. We work with five school districts: Bristol Virginia Public Schools, Bristol Tennessee City Schools, Washington County Virginia Schools, Sullivan County Schools and Kingsport City Schools. We also work closely with the Morrison School in Bristol Virginia.
Students involved with Project LEAP are at a 5th grade level and up. We work with a variety of classes at an elementary, middle school and high school level. Approximately 90 Project Leap students are from schools or classes that work with students with disabilities.
Project LEAP students participate in 10-14 in school problem solving classes and one- two high ropes courses during the year.
If your school is interested in running Project Leap, please contact Tom Hanlon.