(Above) On the last day, the platoons unite into one big group completing the week, just like Nicole DeMartino, grade 12, Addison Smith, grade 12, Juli Rosario-Mendez, grade 12.
Being in the mountains of Pennsylvania, doing hard and tiring activities multiple times a day, with no access to the internet or your phone for one week, is usually not something that people are willing to do in their free time, especially in the summer. This description is just an aspect of DARA/Blackwatch trip, which is perhaps one of the most memorable, exciting, and challenging experiences that Lake Highland offers to its students. This yearly trip to Outdoor Odyssey teaches students how to become a leader and connect/communicate with people as a team. Despite all the tough challenges that students have to overcome, Outdoor Odyssey teaches participants how to get through the hard challenges with the people around them and always keep a positive and optimistic mindset while doing so. Not only does this trip build character in people, but it also builds strong friendships with classmates you would have never thought of talking to inside of school. DARA and Blackwatch are life-changing experiences in both a positive and a challenging way.
(Above) Everyone who participates in DARA or Blackwatch will be split up into randomized platoons. Blackwatch and DARA are both separated from each other making three platoons for each. The platoons then have fun opportunities to compete with each other by proving which ones are more united as a team. This is tested by unity, speed, sportsmanship, and if each individual participates in the team. (Mr. Brent Pirie)(Above) Every morning, right after waking up, DARA and Blackwatch members are woken up early to attend physical training for one hour. Each day, PT has different challenging and physically tough activities that build endurance, strength, and most importantly, teamwork. To get through the challenges, each platoon must be able to communicate with each other and complete each task as a unit. (Mr. Brent Pirie)(Above) Pushing yourself to your fullest athletic abilities is a big part of this trip, but it also instills life lessons and important values to remember beyond the experience at the camp. General Thomas Jones comes to speak with the DARA and Blackwatch class to teach the history of Outdoor Odyssey and the importance of leadership, team building, and serving the community. (Mr. Brent Pirie)(Above) Not only does Outdoor Odyssey enforce the importance of leadership, but these skills are then used to make lifelong friendships and connections with the people around participants. For example, each platoon’s members are carefully selected to ensure a random mix of people to push for new friendships and expand social groupings other than the small circles that people are comfortable with. These new friendships then flourish beyond the trip and change the mindsets of everyone who participated in DARA/Blackwatch. Learning about the importance of expanding one’s view and getting out of the comfort zone to form bonds is a main focus of the trip. (Mr. Brent Pirie)
Yara Koteish is a staff member for Lake Highland Preparatory School’s newspaper class. Yara has been a student at Lake Highland for 12 years and has a younger brother in 10th grade. She is on the Lake Highland varsity and club swim team and has been swimming for 15 years. When not in school or sports, Yara enjoys traveling and likes to spend time having fun with her friends and family.
