Preparing Your Group
The success of your program largely depends on how well your participants and chaperones are informed about the goals for the trip and what to expect. Visiting Princeton-Blairstown Center is a unique experience. We encourage at least 2 pre-trip meetings with your participants to prepare your students and chaperones in the following ways:
Goals:
Review the goals of the program with your participants so they are aware of the purpose of your Blairstown experience.
Philosophy:
All the activities at PBC are based on the philosophy of experiential education. The activities engage participants physically and mentally and require the involvement of all group members to complete and solve problems together.
Safety:
Please stress to your group that their safety is the # 1 priority. See our Physical and Emotional Safety page for more information.
We have developed a tentative schedule for your group. If the group is not demonstrating safe behavior in a particular activity, such as high elements, their schedule will be revised to challenge the group with more appropriate activities.
Progression:
The progression of activities starts slowly; everyone is on the ground learning names and participating in initial problem-solving activities that progressively increase in challenge as the group is ready. It is our goal to cause workable frustration. This allows for situations where the group may struggle but will have the opportunity to work through the frustration and learn from it. This is essential for participants to truly understand that they are capable of more than they realize.
Reflection/ Debriefing:
After every activity, the group will reflect on the activity, discuss what they did well, what they need to improve, how they will apply what they learned to the next activity and how they might apply these skills at school/home.
Logistics:
Be prepared for an outdoor experience! We can do our activities even if it rains, but that means that participants must come prepared! Positive attitudes and rain jackets are a must. Warm clothes in many layers will keep people warm when they are outside for several hours at a time. Have participants bring hats and gloves even if it seems fairly warm. It gets cold at night! If you will be doing any canoeing, participants are required to wear close-toed shoes, so have them bring an extra pair that can get wet. Please see What to Bring for a list of items to bring with you.
Restoration:
Restoration is an important part of the program. Please review information on our restoration process.
It is also important to review our Policies.