Seventh graders at Christian Brothers Academy took their classroom to the woods as they participated in a team building adventure at Orenda Springs in Marcellus on Oct. 3.

The seventh graders took part in several group initiatives that fostered team building and self-discovery. Staff at Orenda Springs taught the students LIFESKILLS and encouraged them to do things that they have never done before. The staff accomplished this by facilitating activities where students had to work together to achieve a common goal.

This is the third year that seventh graders at CBA have participated in the trip to Orenda Springs and it's been a beneficial experience.

“Experiential learning trains students to work together more effectively,” said Kathleen Hanson, Assistant Principal for the Junior High. “Experiential learning also increases test scores and improves students behavior. Research has proven that the greatest indicator of academic success is not the IQ of the student, but rather the students self-motivation.”

Seventh graders participate in Circle Games at Orenda Springs in Marcellus at the class retreat.

 Seventh graders participated in a LIFESKILLS retreat at Orenda Springs in Marcellus recently. Here an Orenda Springs facilitator shows CBA seventh graders Kyle Huyn and Patrick O’Brien a team building exercise.