The McEwen Leadership Fundamentals classes embarked on a two-day journey to Camp Arowhon in Algonquin Park, Ont.
Coordinated and implemented with the assistance of ALIVE Outdoors Inc., the purpose of the field trip was to provide the students with the opportunity to participate in a variety of team-building and leadership development activities. Throughout the day, the students navigated through several different group scenarios by applying their leadership, motivation, communication, and problem-solving skills in order to achieve a common goal for the group. The students were split into three groups and participated in many different activities, including high and low ropes elements, mindfulness tasks, leadership self assessments, and communication challenges.
Throughout the day, group cohesion increased among the students and natural leaders emerged to guide each activity. After dinner, the students were provided the opportunity to listen to Jalynn Bosley, Owner and Director of ALIVE Outdoors Inc., during an entrepreneurship seminar. Jalynn shared her experiences and lessons learned from starting her company and the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship. Upon returning to the classroom, the students applied all the lessons learned from this day of activities to the business theories taught in the McEwen Leadership program.
Overall, the field trip excursion earned rave reviews from participants. “One activity I will always remember is the leadership quadrant activity,” said Dylan Henderson ’18. “If I can learn to operate as all four different types of leaders, I can develop the ability to work well within any group and help solve problems as a team.”
“The ALIVE Outdoors field trip definitely tested my limits,” admitted Quest Rodin ’18. “I was able to see what you can accomplish when you have a group of people pushing you and motivating you to finish a task.”
The ALIVE Outdoors field trip is the first of many events planned for the McEwen Leadership Fundamentals class during the 2016-17 academic year. The course is a key element of the McEwen Leadership program, an academic program modelled after the vision of Rob McEwen ’69.
Story by Sean Ludwig, Course Director, McEwen Leadership Program
