It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s an extreme outdoor education student flying through the trees at Wildplay! While the weather for this trip wasn’t ideal that didn’t stop the Mouat outdoor education students who spent the day overcoming their fears as they traversed three progressively more challenging high ropes courses, which became higher and more difficult with each level. The most adventurous ones in the group even decided to tackle the extreme course, completing challenges over 60 feet above the ground. Students learnt how to properly fit a safety harness, navigate physical challenges while attached to a safety line, and how to push themselves out of their comfort zone to be able to complete the course. Props once again to Mr. Loewen who stepped up for a third time during Mr. Rahe’s absence to keep the program moving along. Outdoor Education students (and anyone else who wants to) please leave a 100 word blog response below.
Mouat Extreme Outdoor Education 
The Wildplay Outdoor Ed trip was my first trip this year because volleyball has taken up so much of my time. I really enjoyed the freedom we were given at the parks, as we were able to do any part of the course that we wanted. I learned how to wear and use a harness, as well as the simplicity of the zipline operations. The first zip line I went on, my thought process was somewhere along the lines of ‘why am I jumping off of this tree? What part of me thought this was a good idea?’ but after that, I got over it and was happy to throw myself out of a tree. I wish we had been able to go on the more advanced courses once we had completed the classic course, but that would have cost more money. If I were to do this trip again, I would bring myself a pair of waterproof gloves, and I would have worn more pants.
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Good reflection. Usually they do let you try the harder course. I guess you’ll have to do it again next year!
Wildplay is one of the best, and most nerve wracking, trips I’ve ever been on; a very hands-on course that had me rushing with adrenaline while zipping across these huge trees, dozens and dozens of feet in the air! By the end of the trip I learned that I’m not as scared of heights as I was pre-trip – I guess I was too distracted from trying to swing across trees and shake the platforms Bri was on to be afraid of being up so high. If there was one thing I would have liked to be different would be the weather. Although the smell of after-rain in a forest smells pretty nice, the platforms were slippery and gave me an occasional heart attack when my foot slipped. To prepare for unexpected weather like that, I would bring extra gloves and thicker pants to keep warm.
Good reflection on the trip. I’m glad to hear that you were able to push through your barriers!
During the Wildplay trip, I learned how to safely use the harness and how to properly attach the carabiner to the course’s ropes. I learned that I am capable of completing each of the levels at a fast pace. The trip was a blast, however, the day we went the weather wasn’t as I had hoped, considering the course was outside majority of the obstacles were wet and quite slippery. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do the weather, but it was still fun being able to hang out with my friend whilst doing the course. It was recommended to bring a raincoat, however, I forgot, so next time I’m hoping that I will better prepare myself.
Too bad that the weather was not great but I’m glad you still found a way to enjoy the experience!
Wildplay has always been so much fun to me, but this time I got to go through it with a couple of good friends and in the rain, which made it pretty challenging. It’s a good trip for anyone who enjoys a ton of adventuring. While the rain wasn’t the most enjoyable, it did prove to make a good challenge trying to speed through the course with everything all wet and covered in rain. Wildplay was fun 😀
Way to make the best of a mediocre situation.
The wild play trip was nice because I never went high roping. Even though the weather wasn´t so nice with rain. At the beginning I had huge respect for high roping, but the respect quickly turned into fun. There were three different levels, and I could go very fast, but most of the time I had to wait the rope was free, so nobody else were on it. It was too bad I couldn’t go to the last, the extreme, part of the high roping levels because it was closed. I really wanted to do that. So, instead I went to level 3 again. Back at school I had to go to the last block and I wasn´t prepared because on the website it said this trip takes the entire school day.
Yikes sorry about the trip timing; though I’m sure your teacher appreciated you coming back in wet clothes from the trip!
Even though the wildplay trip we went on was my first outdoor ed trip, it was definitely my favourite for many reasons. The main reason being I had always wanted to do something like this but never had the time. It was incredibly fun to be so high up in the air and feel the adrenaline rush through me. I had a lot of fun learning how to move on the course and how to strap myself into a harness even though they were pretty uncomfortable. Something I learned about myself is that I’m not scared of heights at all. If I were to redo that day, the only thing I would do differently would be to prepare myself better by bringing gloves or something to keep my hands from freezing.
Good reflection. Preparation on what to wear during outdoor activities is definitely an important factor to consider!
Another new activity I have not done. High ropes were great, I did the course all the way through about 5 times. Each time quicker than the last. It was fun trying to race my fellow classmates and see who could complete the course the fastest. Just like the paintball trip, it was quite cold but I dressed properly this time. I did find the course got sort of repetitive because it was not very long. Also the harness was also sort of uncomfortable on the ziplines. However these are only minor things and other than that it’s only positive.
I’m glad you took a good lesson from one trip and then applied it to another. Hopefully next time we get to go on the higher course to provide more of a challenge!
This Outdoor Ed trip was so much fun! I completed the course a few times, and enjoyed every single one. They were challenging enough, but not too difficult they were a struggle to complete. For next time, I will choose to go on this trip on a day with nicer weather, as it was rainy and cold. The safety instructions and rules are well explained and the staff make you feel safe when on the course. For next time, I would definitely pack more layers and gloves, because the ropes get cold and then my fingers were cold too. Overall this was a great experience and I would love to go again.
I’m glad you enjoyed the experience despite the bad weather. Hopefully you get to go again when it’s a little warmer and all of the course is available!