E-term 2023 Wrap Up

E-term — an experiential learning experience outside the classroom — took students on local adventures and as far as Taos, New Mexico, April 15-21. The decades old program used to be called “mini term” for high school, and “Explore Week” for elementary in recent years. Covid-inspired program tweeks now names it “E-Term” for grades 6 to 12.

Teacher and staff creativity and commitment provided an array of experiences for students with varied interests. Whether close to home or far away, the experiences provided opportunities for students to step out of their comfort zones, build new friendships, nurture — and discover — new interests, and grow in their faith as well as self awareness.

Enjoy some images from each outing:

• 6th grade water exploration in the Harrisonburg area including an overnight at teacher Larry Martin’s cabin in Bergton.
• 7th grade in Philadelphia with Mark Gornto, Laura Lawson, Shannon Roth and Zach Sauder
• 8th grade in Williamsburg, Va., with Nick Gardner, Patsy Seitz and Rebecca Yutzy
• Faith and Food exploration at the school, with Nathan Hershberger
• Fishing in area streams and ponds, as well as the Outer Banks, with Andrew Gascho  and Justin King
• Lift, Hit, Recover with Matt Overacker
• Local Adventures with Mary Cranston
• Mennonite Disaster Service in Hurly, Virginia, with Benjamin Bixler, Woody Driver, Jodi Hertzler, Marsha Thomas
• Mindfulness and Creativity, at the school, with Debbie Katz and Julianne Ross
• Mountain biking locally, with Sarah Mitch
• Robotics, with Kevin Carini
• Smoky Mountains service and hiking with Paul Leaman, Cafin Vrolijk, Drew Vrolijk, Andrea Wenger
• Soccer and service, locally and DC, with Valeria Eshleman-Robles and Coach Ryan Eshleman-Robles
• Taos, New Mexico with Lizzy Miller and Jennifer Young
• Touring Choir with Jesse Blosser, Malea Gascho, Jared Stutzman