Adventure Awaits: REMS Sixth Graders Learn and Lead in the Wilderness
Sixth graders at Renaissance Elementary Magnet School (REMS) recently completed their Winter Voyage, a three-day adventure at State Forest State Park in Walden. Together with their teachers, parent volunteers, and the school’s Adventure Education Coordinator, Ashley Cammack, student "crews" braved the snowy terrain, using snowshoes to hike, learning about avalanche safety, and practicing Leave No Trace principles.
Each evening, after a day of exploration, students returned to camp, working together to prepare and share warm meals. It also served as a time to reflect, recharge, and bond as a team.
At the end of the journey, crews reflected on how they embodied REMS’ core values of service, passion, perseverance, courage, stewardship and integrity. Their words captured the spirit of teamwork and resilience:
- “I want to acknowledge Zach for helping me persevere on the trail when I felt like giving up. Now that I’m on the other side, I’m so glad I didn’t quit.”
- “I want to acknowledge Ms. Ashley for her passion and service — she worked so hard to scout trails and keep us safe on the mountain.”
- “I want to acknowledge the whole crew for showing courage when we were hiking and feeling tired. I hope we continue to show up for each other like this when we get back to REMS.”
At REMS, “We Are Crew!” is more than just a motto — it’s a way of life. And these sixth-graders proved just that on their Winter Voyage.