Hiking through the downpour of North America’s largest temperate rainforest, watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean, climbing to the penultimate summit of Mount Rainier, rafting for days on the Deschutes River valley in eastern Oregon, and never once taking a shower, just barely scratches the surface of all the experiences had by the members of the Summer Seminar trip to the Northwest.
“It was a freaking awesome experience, if I could do it again, I totally would,” said Lauren Dille, senior.
Every year for the past six years Westminster has taken a group of seniors to South Dakota for ten days in the wilderness where they study history and learn about restoring the earth to shalom, or the way things should be. This year WCA offered a second trip, with an entirely new environment and a brand new curriculum.
“In previous years, we’ve always gone to South Dakota and it has been absolutely phenomenal. We have wanted to do the Washington trip for a couple years. Traveling to a place that is unique but nonetheless beautiful makes the experience that much richer,” said Warren Smith, Upper School biology teacher.
Only a select group of about 20 seniors has the privilege of participating on the trip each summer. The senior class of 2010 had so many applicants this past spring that the administration decided to offer two trips to accommodate as many students as possible.
“Originally we were only going to go to Washington. But once we saw the widespread interest and the number of quality applicants, we chose to do both the Washington and South Dakota trip,” said Chris Knerr, Upper School history teacher.
Over spring break, Knerr and Smith took a trip to map out the destinations for Washington Summer Seminar and become familiar with navigating the Northwest.
“The only worries we really had going into the trip had to do with the fact that we had to take planes to get out there,” said Knerr.
Getting everyone and all the gear onto the planes and dealing with connecting flights created a potentially catastrophic situation, which ended up going as smoothly as possible.
“On the one hand, we didn’t have the luxury of throwing all of our stuff on a truck, but the benefit of flying meant we didn’t have to handle any of our equipment. It worked out as nicely as hoped,” said Smith.
Despite minor logistical issues, the trip was seen as an overall success.
“Sometimes the teachers would get flustered with unforeseen challenges or difficulties, such as getting lost and running out of gas, but it honestly made the trip more fun. We never knew what was coming next, and every day was full of incredible experiences and strengthened relationships,” said Sarah Hughes, senior.
There was a point on the trip when the entire caravan of cars (minus Warren Smith’s car) was lost on a mountain with empty tanks of gas and no cell phone service. They ended up coasting in neutral all the down the mountain and barely making it to a gas station.
“We had a party in the parking lot because we made it alive. And then we ate at Wendy’s. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t part of the original plan but it was awesome,” said Dille.
Many claim that being members of this “trial run” trip only further enhanced the experience.
“It was so much fun being the guinea pigs because it made the trip more spontaneous and hilarious,” said Claire Unnerstall, senior.
Amibeth Thompson, senior, had the privilege of participating in both the South Dakota trip and the trip to Washington. Although both trips had the same idea, she said that the Washington trip was a lot more spontaneous.
“They had a plan, but a lot of the time it changed due to weather or timing. We spent lots of time in the car during South Dakota, but even more time in the car on Washington. The spontaneity was fun but it stressed some of the teachers. But the group was fabulous and worked really well to the different changes,” said Thompson.
Smith and Knerr stayed an extra few days at the end of the trip to scout out changes for next year’s trip.
“I’m glad we stayed to do that because we learned that there is really no better way to do the trip. The only changes we might make would be to spend more time in the mountains and less in the gorge. And being tied to our plan didn’t always cooperate with the weather so next year we will probably make our plans even more flexible,” said Smith.
The minor glitches along the way, however, did not seem to affect this easy-going and compatible group of seniors.
“As it was the first ever Washington trip, there were a few kinks and mishaps along the way, but the people they picked were perfect for facing adversity,” said Karlton Smith, senior.
For these trailblazers, the formation of friendships and the variety of experiences far outweighed the little mishaps that come with being first-timers.
“There has yet to be a day that I don’t dream about driving to the airport and boarding the next plane to Portland. I loved waking up and having no idea what was in store for the day. Even the car rides were some of the greatest times for me. I met some of my best friends. And I’d do anything to be back sleeping under the stars, just living,” said Forrest Hughes, senior.
The faculty also considered the trip to be a success and a great learning experience for them as well. For Dr. Scott Holley, upper school English teacher, the Washington trip was his first Summer Seminar ever.
“If I could describe my experience in one word, I’d call it phenomenal!” said Holley.
Dr. Holley led the final core classes at the tail end of the trip. The curriculum on the Washington trip differed from that of South Dakota; the students learned how to see, appreciate, cultivate and live in the presence of real beauty.
“We learned what beauty really is and how it works within the community, and that there is life through destruction. All the beauty could not be captured in a snapshot or in a conversation. We learned it has to be experienced by yourself and you have to make the most out of the time that you have,” said Eric Levenhagen, senior.
“If all the fifty states were made into cakes, I would eat Oregon first and Washington second. That’s how much I loved it,” said Johnny Kehr, senior.
Hughes summed it up when he said, “When we were tired we went to bed with whatever we were wearing and wherever we were, and we woke up to laughs and smiles and a gorgeous day with the best group of people ever. That is beauty.”