Personal Narrative: My Class Trip To The Pine Lake Challenge Course

Our footfalls crunched along the gravel path as the four of us finished our first run at altitude. We breathed in the crisp mountain air, trying to force oxygen into our lungs. Slowly, we walked to the football field, where we played Ultimate Frisbee before eating dinner, showering, and going to bed. This is how we spent our first day at Jim Ryun Running Camp, hosted by Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Former Olympian Jim Ryun organized the camp with the help of his wife, son, and other coaches. Going to running camp gave me an opportunity to strengthen both my ability to compete in cross-country and my faith in God.

“When groups are planned so that each member's strengths have authentic importance to the ultimate success of the group's activity, this creates a situation where individual learning styles, skills, and talents are valued, and students shine in their fortes and learn from each other in the areas where they are not as expert.”(Willis)

One of my most notable teamwork experiences was my participation in Future Farmers of America (FFA). This organization helped me develop extensive leadership qualities and personal growth, in which are a vital component for academic and career success. Through this program, I gained hands-on experience serving the chapter as an FFA Executive Committee Member and a Vineyard Manager. As an FFA Executive Committee Member, I gained self-confidence and immersed myself in new experiences, such as learning how to direct events and to promote involvement in FFA. Therefore, my primary objective was to inspire others to become active within the school campus and the community. To do this, I inspired students to share their ideas freely and comfortably

In many aspects of life, it is essential that you work with other individuals as a team. You can work in a team whether it is school, work, or your personal life. This year I started working for Inner City Education Foundation public charter schools, specifically ICEF Inglewood Elementary Academy. The school has approximately 40 staff members that were all placed together by the director of the school. There are multiple classifications at my job such as instructional assistants, teachers, office staff, intervention specialists, operations, and janitors, but we all operate as one unit. Through the five stages of team development, our team developed and continues to develop into a successful team.

For every team to work together and use teamwork is a major key, but first each person must put away their differences. That's one of the two lessons in this book. At the outset when Joe was contending for a spot in the freshman boat, there were “city boys dressed very well” and “farm boy,s like Joe who grew up wielding axes and fishing gaffs, etc.” As you observe that point right there, it’s a variety of backgrounds and that is what happens when a group of people come together. A

Wheelan (2013) provides many good examples of what to do in certain circumstances that deal with safety and inclusion, conflict resolution, identifying roles and responsibilities, and fostering esprit de corps during group development. In addition, she identifies the positive traits that should be displayed by both team members and team leaders alike such as involving other members in the leadership of the group and actively participating in achieving objectives.

It was a Monday morning on June 13, 2016 and I was not ready for what was to come of today. I was practicing for my tournaments all summer long and this day was the day for me to show that my work has paid off. Even though It was a qualifier into a high skilled tournament I need my game this summer to be one of my best years so I can send my resumes to coaches around the country. So now the round Is about to start and I was nervous. Playing against kids much older and much stronger than you is intimidating, but i knew that was not supposed to change what was going to happen today. This golf course is a tricky one with lots of trees and hills but that should change my mindset of trying to win this qualifier. And we were off, I striped my drive

Once, a very long time ago, Vincent Van Gogh was said to have drunk yellow paint, hoping to gain happiness. Three years ago, I joined my school’s golf team for the same reason. I found myself isolated at school, realizing that I was pushing school work over my social life during my sophomore year. It was when I desperately struggled to surround myself with positivity that I found myself at the Santa Teresa Golf Course. The first few practices at a sport I had never touched was more upsetting than enjoyable. Unexpectedly, golf requires a mentality where the confidence to overcome obstacles is essential to successive progression in the sport. Being compared to my older sister at home, and then struggling to fit in at school, made self-doubt a

I was walking towards the seventeenth hole of the Deep Cliff golf course, listening the rattle of the clubs on my back. My mouth dry of thirst from the pack of trail mix I had ate. I looked down at my scorecard and realized that I did not do as fortunate as I thought. My feet were aching and my arms were sore. I arrived at the seventeenth tee box after what felt like ages. I scanned the sign next to a decrepit bench. It read that the flag was one hundred seventy yards away. I dug deep into my pocket and pulled out a three inch tee and a golf ball. I teed up the ball, eyeing the flag in the distance. Little did I know, that the proudest moment of my life was waiting for me one hundred seventy yards away.

Early last spring the mail about the annual Donner Lake triathlon. When I set the school I was fearless and excited lying in bed that night I knew the preparation would be both physically challenging and mentally drained but I had a month to prepare myself. And I was determined the week after school was out on May 21, 2016 my family and I went up to our family cabin which we affectionately call the lake house. Driving up to Donner Lake I was filled with excitement knowing that this summer I was going to prepare for a triathlon as we descended down from the top of the summit I could see the sun shining on the Bluewater making it sparkle and the beautiful tall mountains filled with cream for a good smelling Pinetree's as we approached our small little brown cozy Lakehouse.

Anxious and excited, the eighth graders could not wait to step off the big yellow bus onto the soccer field of Pine Lake Challenge Course in Bristol, Connecticut. Working in small groups of eleven, students were faced with many different types of challenges that required teamwork. As a team, I believe most of our challenges were completed as best as they could be. This retreat gave me a wider view of how it really is like to work together.

Stepping out on the course for the first time was intimidating, I had never been to a golf course before. There were people there that I had never met before, and this experience was completely new to me. I was put into a group with a few other girls and we set off to golf. Seeing the other girls tee off first was less pressure for myself, but I was still nervous to tee off for the first time. Teeing off the the first time, I felt a rush power as I swung the club. Even though it was a horrible shot my teammates encouraged me and told me that I would do better next time.

Next we were off to the University Golf Club! It was kind of pricey to go, but we still had tons of fun trying to golf! Georgia and I have never golfed before, but Anna was a pro at it so she did WAY better than us. Georgia hit her golf ball into the lake a few times, but other than that we had a great time! After a fun day of golfing, crazy sushi places, and the Regional Park, we decided to go someplace simple and quick for dinner. For dinner we ate at Five Guys, and we all got the little bacon cheeseburger, which has always been mine and Sydney's favorite. After dinner we decided to end our day there and get ready for our next big day!

I was a really good in 2nd and 3rd grade and one day I ran the mile. After that, my mom asked me if I wanted to do cross country and I said, “yes, I do!!!” So, today I am at a cross country meet in eighth grade and I am about to run a race. Also, in 7th grade I was always in front of Owen.

When this course started, I didn’t know what to expect. Quickly did I learn that it was more than just about a single individual and his or her ideas and behaviours. As the course progressed, I learned that it was very important to understand how small groups work. Reflecting upon my personal journey with my group, I have learnt that working in small groups requires commitment, synergy, communication, listening, conflict resolution and decision making and problem solving. This brings me upon my personal journey with my small group and how I have learned to work in such an environment.