Outdoor Adventure

The Dominion Leadership Program at Saint Paul’s College completed their first challenge together, an Outdoor Leadership Adventure in Kilmarnock, Virginia. Through daily physical challenges, opportunities for team-building, and reflective writing assignments, students grew to know each other quickly.

One highlight of the course was the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), completed by the students under the direction of Mr. William Hines and Dr. Carolyn Hines. The MBTI identifies personality types, giving people tools to improve how they work both as individuals and in groups.

Another highlight of the weekend was the COMPASS course completed by the students in small teams, under the direction of retired Green Beret officer, Dr. Wesley Williams. Students used a compass to find markers placed around the camp, an exercise in teamwork and a metaphor for life. The COMPASS course, along with other physical activities completed that weekend, allowed students to use their Outdoor Adventure credits to satisfy the General Education physical education requirement at the College.

Reading requirements included The Servant and Who Moved My Cheese, and writing requirements included a paper and a journal. As a charter class, students drafted contracts for the future leadership program, and even came up with a class song. Feedback about the weekend was positive, with participants already asking when they can go back. Plans are underway for the next Outdoor Adventure, tentatively scheduled for August 16-19, 2006. Qualified charter class members will return to Kilmarnock as mentors.