Croatia Trip Opens Students' Eyes to Adventure Travel
Over the March Break, 12 intrepid students accompanied Ms. Wellnhofer and Ms. Winterink to Croatia with World Challenge International. This trip was designed to allow us to make many independent decisions, live with our choices, and step out of our comfort zones. This trip was one big adventure where we had to work for almost every reward – which made each one that much sweeter!
We slept in tents, managed a group budget of over $2000 to cover our groceries and snacks, cooked outside on camping stoves, kayaked on rivers and the sea, hiked in beautiful places, grocery shopped where nobody spoke English and all the labels were in Croatian, hiked up into a remote mountain hut, explored 1000-year-old forts, old cities, and abandoned villages. We weathered a thunderstorm and huge rainstorms, and adapted to many changes in our itinerary. While all of us came on the trip with a friend, many of us really didn’t know each other before the trip. As a group, we worked very well together and concluded our week with a lot of shared memories.
This trip was entirely different from a sightseeing trip. Everything we saw, we earned by getting ourselves to that place. No bus drove us to great views or great experiences - we walked or paddled there.
When asked why someone should do a trip like this, here are some of the answers our students and faculty leaders shared:
“I think it's a once in a lifetime opportunity that pushes your comfort zone and helps you grow. It's an opportunity to bond with other peers who you would not normally interact with and make new friends. I also think that specifically with our trip, we got a chance to experience a trip with a lot of difficulty and change that forced us to adapt. I think this helped us to see a new side of traveling and build a lot of useful skills that will help us in the future.”
“A trip like this allows you to take in the world from another perspective and get away from your regular life.”
“I would say to them that the most valuable things in life are difficult.”
“I think people should go on a trip like this to experience a whole new perspective on the world and get close with people you never thought you would even talk to.”
Ms. Wellnhofer feels this trip was different from any student trip she has previously been on. “With the help of the leaders from World Challenge, our students learned how to be proactive in making daily decisions like managing our food budget, communicating changes in plans or itineraries, and problem solving. One of the most interesting aspects of learning was about taking charge of your own happiness. Our students made things happen, rather than waiting for someone else to step forward. It was wonderful to witness such growth.”
According to Ms. Winterink, this journey offers students a unique experience that may only come once in a lifetime. “Witnessing the students challenge themselves in the great outdoors, pushing their boundaries, was truly inspiring. A crucial lesson from such an adventure is the recognition that some of life's most exquisite experiences require effort. To reach the summit and savor the breathtaking view, we sometimes had to trek 5 km uphill. This wasn't a journey by bus or car; it demanded sweat and determination. Despite the hardships, including moments of discomfort, every arrival at the peak proved the struggle worthwhile.”
“This journey parallels many real-life scenarios. Gaining admission to one’s desired university necessitates applications and time. Securing your dream job often means starting at the bottom and working your way up. This trip instills in us the vital lesson of perseverance, teaching us to endure and overcome challenges to reach our goals."
Be sure to watch the recap video here and view the photo gallery if you haven’t already!
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
