Summer Fun

(Year 4, Week 35)

As the year slowly comes to a close, the heroes are having a blast playing in the sun, competing in games, and enjoying friendships. A healthy buzz of energy geared towards work and friends is filling the studios. An observer noted how “free the young people look” and how it’s “incredible to see them choose learning when they don’t have to.” It’s amazing what young people can do when given a chance.

Game Quest

The heroes continued their game quest this week taking on new games and preparing to compete in exhibition next week.

Each day they are challenged to take on new games, with a writing challenge on Friday to reflect. Some questions from this week’s reflection:

1. Which game has been your favorite one this session? Would you continue playing this game during free time, or with other friends and family outside Wonder?

2. What type of games do you usually win? Strategy games, luck based games, games that require quick thinking, or games that require physical agility? How will you continue building this strength after this session?

3. Do you feel encouraged when your squad members cheer you during your games? How does cheering and encouragement affect overall fun and morale? Share your observations!

4. How did you spend most of your free time in between games? Practicing for the next round, chatting with friends, or cheering your squad members on their games even though you were done playing?

5. What is more important to you? Winning for the team, or getting support from the team no matter the result of a game?

Learner Driven Ownership

A learner driven community thrives when young people take ownership for their learning and their community. Several heroes stepped up this week to take on deep cleaning the kitchen. When asked why they decided to clean, they said “because it was needed and we wanted to do it.” It’s inspiring to watch young people make good choices of their own volition, and nothing more important for young people who are choosing to embark on a hero’s journey.

Water Balloon Fun

The heroes organized their own water ballon, three legged race during free time. As one might imagine, the race soon transformed into a full water balloon fight. If winning or losing was based at all on final wetness, a few guides would have been deemed the losers!

Judging in the Adventure Studio

This week the adventure heroes held their Villainous Tournament. A game of Disney villains, the Adventure heroes came dressed up as the villain they were playing as, and invited the Discovery heroes to judge for the best costumes.

The heroes felt honored to judge and always seem to feel privileged being involved in the Adventure studio.

Writer’s Workshop

The Harry Potter Writer’s workshop continues, and this week the heroes were challenge to a Harry Potter Trivia game. The heroes gathered with questions, along with prepared questions from the leaders of the writer’s workshop. It was fun way to finish the last day of this writer’s workshop.

Wrap Up

As the year winds down, the heroes continue to work towards freedom levels and badges by putting in effort in core skills and quest. While intentionality is not at all time highs, there is certainly a feeling of wanting to be with friends and enjoy the summer as the year winds down. The heroes face just one last week of challenges, fun, and lots of reflection. It has been a wonderful year, full of wonderful friendships, difficult challenges, and meaningful transformation. With all the wonderful learning from the past year, one might ask, “what wonderful learning is on the horizon?”