During the years girls spend in GEC, winding their way up a spiral curriculum of learning and growth, we aim to facilitate at least one group overnight, with one primary purpose: group bonding. We're not setting out to impart concepts like symbiosis or ecological impacts/connections, do field science or service; we're hoping that through joyous connection and conversation, girls will become a more bonded group, rather than a group made of separate bonded friendships. Laurel and I are delighted to report that this BE overnight was a success!
The BEs arrived and the connections began within minutes. When middle school girls are given room to explore, they often choose to explore connections with one another – this overnight was a social time! After settling in the house and discussing the flexible plan for the afternoon and evening, the girls chose to have their check in then and there, rather than later. This was our first practice of the day in Active Listening, a skill we all agreed we need to practice.
Then we were off to the beach! There are few things more satisfying than watching middle schoolers, who can sometimes feel self-conscious and inhibited, explore with abandon. It was a high tide day, yet most of the group managed, with a lot of teamwork, navigate the shoreside rocks to sunspot, whose warmth compelled them to swim! There was much talk about it prior to the dipping, but then a few brave souls made the plunge, followed by others. What hilarity! Others were more solemn on the beach, assembling and releasing a memorial raft for Sundance the dog (Gigi's dog who died the previous night).
Chilled bones spurred the girls back up the beach trail and into the hot tub! Others chose to prep dinner (and I must say, this mentor appreciated having 5 in the kitchen rather than 12!). Our circle of thanks before dinner was lovely – lots of gratitude in this group.
During dinner we talked about our roses and thorns, an interesting way to reframe strengths and weaknesses; as with the rose bush, both roses and thorns work together and are integral to the plant. Using this metaphor, we look at how our roses can become our thorns and how thorns can be roses, and how really, there are only qualities we possess that can become either depending on the circumstances. For instance, some girls shared that they are bold, outgoing and silly; they felt this is a rose because it brings joy to those around them, helps them make friends, and they are fun to be around, but it can become a thorn if not watched/controlled in certain situations because it can be over the top and sometimes seriousness is needed. Others cited their strong emotions as both a rose and thorn. We reflected on our triggers that affect how these qualities are expressed (level of rest, past experiences, events, hormones). The BEs were quite reflective, and we all learned to lessen self judgement about what we perceive as thorns and celebrate our roses. It was interesting how challenging it was for some girls to talk about their roses, a societal trend GEC aims to mitigate. Again, we worked hard on Active Listening during this exercise.
We also shared what we thought the Bald Eagle roses and thorns are. Most agreed that the group generally has a comfort in talking about personal matters, has developed trust in and with one another, has strong opinions and ideas and great senses of humor. We also agreed we're so eager to share that we sometimes don't listen to one another, and that it can be hard to make decisions.
Dinner was followed by some wonderful music, dancing, games, dessert and free-range conversation, and finally (after that conversations ranged, and ranged, and ranged...) bed and sleep.
Morning brought more sharing, slow movement towards clean up and breakfast, a feast of food, and a final circle of acknowledgements of one another.
Laurel and I are so grateful for this bonding time with the Bald Eagles!
Please enjoy the entire slideshow from our rolicking good time here.
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