OxfordPress.com

Several dozen high school freshmen playing cornhole and blowing bubbles at Hueston Woods last week may have looked like little more than a party, but program organizers hope the lively activities translate to success in the classroom.

A joint venture between Miami University's partnership office and Talawanda High School's freshmen academy, every student in the class of 2012 took part in a number of outdoor adventure challenges aimed at strengthening bonds between students, their peers and instructors.

Jay Kimiecik, associate director of the partnership office, said it has become increasingly clear that students who do not make a successful transition from eighth to ninth grade struggle through the remainder of their high school years.

"What we're trying to do with this program is create more of a team atmosphere early in the year," Kimiecik said. "These adventure challenges are designed to bring these kids together a little bit and get them to know each other."

Students broke up into 16 smaller groups to complete the various challenges, which included kayaking, a team quiz, cornhole and several other team-based activities. Communication and cooperation were essential throughout the program, even in such activities as several students teaching a classmate how to blow a bubble with gum.

THS freshman Nathan McCleese, 15, said he enjoyed escaping the classroom and having a chance to get to know his classmates on a more personal level.

"Most of the activities require a lot of teamwork, which helped us get closer," McCleese said. "You get to know the people in your classes better and learn a bit more about yourself as well."

English teacher Amanda Luke said the games are designed to make students do things they normally would not, as it helps break down existing barriers and develop a sense of camaraderie among the class.

"It helps accomplish one of our goals, which is for the class to feel a real sense of community," Luke said. "We really want them to be in a place that they can take risks — whether they happen to be academic or intellectual — and get involved in school activities."

Thanks to a two-year $125,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, the Miami University partnership office was able to fully fund activities that go hand-in-hand with Talawanda's new freshman academy.

Kimiecik underscored the importance of getting students to interact outside of the classroom, noting it is part of the ongoing work the organization is doing with the school district.

"It's amazing how much they sit in classes together but don't really know each other," Kimiecik said. "We're sort of forcing that interaction between students, but in a positive way."

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139, ext. 86102, or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.