Trails Carolina uses traditional classroom settings alongside therapeutic wilderness programs to ensure students receive educational and wilderness experiences. As their classrooms increase in size, Trails Carolina makes sure to help each student focus and help them achieve their short- and long-term goals.
Discover the true extent of the classroom’s benefits in the following sections.
The 7 Benefits of Classroom Settings
#1 Enhanced Opportunities For Face-to-Face Interactions
A classroom environment provides students with opportunities for in-person interaction between other students and the staff.
Because of this, it’s common for students to develop long-lasting connections with their peers and other students while learning in a classroom setting. Of course, this helps the transition into adulthood and life beyond Trails Carolina easier with friends they can turn to.
#2 Provides a More Hands-On Learning Environment
In many cases, the classroom setting is the only type of education students know, making them already familiar with the structure and format of the lessons. Through this type of teaching, it can give the students a chance to get involved and experience hands-on learning instead of poring over a textbook for hours on their own.
#3 Keeps Students Focused
The collaborative environment nurtured in a classroom keeps students actively engaged in the task at hand. Working together and seeing how other students tackle the instructions helps them focus.
Students eventually find that learning isn’t as tricky as they may have believed through this heightened engagement. Ultimately, it can help them develop learning habits that carry beyond the classroom.
#4 Ensures Growth For All Types of Learners
There are four common types of learners:
- Visual — They learn better when observing or looking at something, including diagrams, pictures, and videos. Sometimes called spatial learning, they usually process information better when displayed visually. Eager doodlers, list writers, and note-takers tend to fall into this category.
- Auditory — They’d rather listen to topics than read or look at diagrams. They’ll often read aloud to themselves and reinforce new ideas through speaking. They’re excellent at verbally explaining concepts as well.
- Kinesthetic — Otherwise known as tactile learners, they learn best through doing or experiencing. They typically require more study breaks as they prefer to be up-and-about.
- Reading/writing — These learners are taught best through written words and usually express themselves through reading books, writing in diaries, etc.
While no student fits entirely into one category, a classroom setting gives the staff at Trails Carolina a chance to adapt their teaching style based on the learning types present in the group. For example, running activity-based lessons is great for visual and kinesthetic learners. But, if the class is full of auditory learners, staff can take a more interactive approach.
#5 Builds Organizational Skills Pertinent to Life Beyond The Trails Carolina
Classes follow a schedule to help students learn the importance of arriving on time and ensuring they have the correct supplies. Teaching them principles such as being on time and having the proper equipment will help them achieve their goals.
When these principles are learned early on, it helps them keep up with goals and aspirations outside of Trails Carolina. As they move into the careers or lifestyle they want, these principles will help them achieve great things in those roles.
#6 Allows Students to Learn How to Handle Knowledge Gaps
As they progress throughout Trails Carolina, students learn to ask staff and peers for answers if they’re unsure. Over time, it teaches them that people are more than willing — happy even! — to help if they ask.
Students discover how to cope with feeling disappointed when they first try something, and it doesn’t work out. Having someone who truly cares by walking them through how they can reach their goal makes a significant difference. Overcoming challenges of not feeling good enough by having the self-esteem and strength to keep trying is a skill they will undoubtedly use countless times in their adult life.
#7 Increases Adaptability and Mental Flexibility
Even though classroom learning is structured, it’s constantly changing. The Trails Carolina staff are more than aware that their lesson plan could take a backseat at any moment as students move the conversation or activities in interesting but different, unexpected directions.
Therefore, it provides an excellent environment for students to learn from each other. Through acquiring these skills, they will eventually become more adept at dealing with the ever-changing circumstances in the outside world.
In a nutshell, classroom settings are used at Trails Carolina to give students the tools, skills, and education they need to achieve their life-long dreams.
Combining The Wilderness With Classroom-Based Learning For a Well-Rounded Student Experience
Not only do the students benefit from the list above, but they can choose from a whole host of experiences at wilderness therapy programs that can help them stay well rounded just in case they get burnt out in the classroom ttactics
