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W.I.L.D. Overnight Campout - 4-23-13
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Outdoor Programs

Outerlimits

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Webb offers Outerlimits, an outdoor program that teaches students teamwork and self-confidence as they overcome obstacles on our on campus high and low ropes courses. The program also offers a variety of weekend and extended trips led by our experienced Outerlimits faculty. These 19 trips include:

  • whitewater kayak day trips,
  • weekend backpacking trips,
  • rafting on the Ocoee River,
  • caving,
  • extended backpacking trips such as Winter Freeze, a four-day backpacking trip just before the winter holiday,
  • Senior Survival, a weeklong backpacking trip ending the day before graduation. This is the last bonding experience for the class before graduation.
  • 6-12-day trips to Minnesota and Missouri for canoeing and Utah for camping and hiking

Wilderness Instruction and Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.)

Wilderness Instruction and Leadership Development or W.I.L.D. is an exciting program that combines the classroom with the outdoors. W.I.L.D. is an academic class that includes book discussions about camping and leadership. The class also uses experience gained from the outdoors and Outerlimits activities such as camping, canoeing, backpacking, rock climbing, and multiple others to teach the skills needed to attend and to lead trips into the wilderness.

Through instruction in class, on trips, and in different workshops, W.I.LD. members gain skills needed to take trips into the wilderness. These skills include planning, packing and carrying equipment from single day trips to multi-day trips, using outdoor equipment, building campfires, and using stoves to cook in the outdoors. Some of the workshops the class will attend are Wilderness First- Aid and Ropes course Safety and Operation.

Benefits of W.I.LD:

  • W.I.LD. provides knowledge and skills that help students fully enjoy wilderness and outdoor experiences.
  • W.I.L.D. teaches students to identify and treat injuries or illnesses in the wilderness.
  • W.I.L.D. develops leadership ability by allowing students to plan and lead camping and Outerlimits trips.
  • W.I.L.D. gives students the opportunity to experience things like backpacking or canoeing that they would not otherwise be able to try

Outerlimits Student Journals

Outerlimits kayaking trip report - Alex Elliott (10th Grade)

Location:

Hiwassee River

White Water Kayaking

Departure: Saturday 10th September 2011 7:55 AM

The section of the Hiawassee River we kayaked began six miles upstream of Reliance, Tennessee. There were five students in sit on top kayaks, one adult in a sit on top, one student in a kayak, and three adults in kayaks.

We met at the trail room at 7:30 AM on the 10th of September 2011 to load everything up in the Suburban (driven by Brain Wofford) and a school van (driven by Melissa James) to leave by 7:55 AM for Reliance, Tennessee. We then drove for approximately three hours and received our equipment, then put in (to the river). As soon as everyone had gotten into the water, we set off for a six mile trip down river.

Zoe Spear was the first to flip, Phillip following soon after. As we continued down the river, most everyone began to get the hang of paddling a kayak. After every rapid, the group would gather together and talk about what is ahead. In the third or fourth rapid, Mackenzie Knotts went down sideways and began to surf. She was not aware that this was something common for experienced kayakers and worried she had messed up.

In another one of the rapids, I believe the name was Three Bears, Brain Wofford and his daughters decided they wanted to play in the rapids and attempt to surf. While they were doing this, Phillip James, Mackenzie Knotts, and myself all tried to do the same. However, none of us were able to.

As we neared the home stretch, we came upon Devils Shoals. This was, by far, the best rapid to me. It is classified as a class two plus run rapid and involved several two to three foot waves. The group, not including Melissa James, Brian Wofford, or myself, walked back to the beginning of devils shoals and entered it with nothing but their P.F.D. (personal flotation devices).

Once the group had returned, we finished the river and took out. Everyone changed into dry clothes and we left for home.

Outerlimits kayaking trip report - Mackenzie Knotts (10th Grade)

Location:

Hiwassee River

White Water Kayaking

Departure: Saturday 10th September 2011 7:55 AM

We departed on Saturday, September, 10th 2011 at 7:55 a.m. from the trail room. When we loaded the van heading to the Hiwassee River we were running a little behind on time waiting for four other people to show up for the trip. When they didn’t show up we decided to go ahead and leave.

The trip there was fun, we had about three hours of driving time so we played a few car games but mainly just talked and listened to music. We stopped to pick up Brianna and Amanda at Wal-Mart for extra supervision. When we got there we signed a waver while Mr. Wofford, Phillip, Amanda, and Brianna went to unload the kayaks. The wait for our paddles, life vests, and the shuttle took 20 minutes.

After we got our stuff we loaded the shuttle and we drove about 10 miles on a road to the unloading dock. When we got of the bus we had lunch and had a talk about what to do on the river. Next we were in the water and heading down the river. I had a hard time at first but I got the hang of it in ten minutes.

Zoe was the first to tip and we had a hard time getting her back up in her kayak. We continued down the river to some bigger rapids where my kayak started going sideways down the rapids. I got stuck but apparently it is called surfing. When I tried getting back straight I flipped and was in the water. It didn’t take me to long to get back up, after that no one else flipped.

We stopped twice to take a break. The second time we stopped at a rock where we could get out and swim. We hiked up a hill and walked on the train tracks to a trail where we could get into the water. They told us to sit in the river position and back down the river we went.

After we got back into our kayaks we had about thirty minutes left on the river. When we were done we changed into dry clothes and waited while they loaded up the kayaks. After that we were on the road, it wasn’t as loud on the way back as it was on the way there. We stopped at a BBQ restaurant that was amazing. After eating we headed back home. We arrived at The Webb School around eight thirty p.m.

Outerlimits kayaking trip report - Phillip James (10th Grade)

Location:

Hiwassee River

White Water Kayaking

Departure: Saturday 10th September 2011 7:55 AM

As I awoke that morning I was fueled with excitement and confidence. As I rode out to Webb I was thinking of all the things I would like to try in the white sit-in. My first goal was to not turn over. My second goal was to learn and gain from the river.

When I arrived at Webb I greeted Mr. Wofford. We had a very short conversation. I could tell something was frustrating him. I didn't know what possibly could be wrong, until I began to look at the sign up sheet. I noticed that we where missing some kids. Mr. Wofford then began to say that if there not here by 7:55 then we will leave without them. As I was watching the time my mother went and grabbed the green van. The kids began to load up in the green van. The passenger seat was wide open. I thought this might be because my mother was driving and that I was her son. I then decided to ride shot gun with Mr. Wofford.

As we began to drive Mr. Wofford expressed he was very frustrated at the fact that four people did not show for the trip. He then looked toward the bright side and said “You can play this to your advantage.” I quickly responded “how so?” He then said “Since four people showed up and I hired two leaders you can learn a lot from Amanda.” (I thought to my self this would be a great time to test my limits on the river in a sit in.”

As we drove down the road Wofford and I began to talk about many things. I really did enjoy our conversation. I felt though it was a father, son conversation.

We finally stopped in Chatty town and picked up his two daughters Amanda and B. (Mr. Wofford has called Brianna “B.” For some reason that name just fits her too well.) I also enjoyed my conversations with Amanda and B. As we drove down the road I felt like I was with my family.

We finally arrived at the Hiwasse. Mr Wofford got out of the suburban and into the green van to go to the outfitter. Amanda then began to drive to the top of the river with me and B. We discussed college and college life. Any time I talk to B I feel as if I'm talking with my sister. Shes has a very positive and bubbly personality. I think I am happier around people who are positive rather than negative. She always just makes me feel relaxed.

Once we arrived at the top of the river, we began to unpack lunch and wait for the others. (We once again talked about how Webb and college is two totally different things.) Once everyone arrived, Wofford began to give his safety speech. ( I tend to always think his safety speeches and funny. He always saying something funny during them.)

Finally we where on the river... Once we where on Mr. Wofford then saw my helmet was too lose. He then gave me a cap to put under my helmet. We finally got down the river about half way when a small current tipped me over. I stayed very calm and tried to roll but failed miserably. When I tried to roll over my hand hit a large rock. Hitting the rock with my hand caused me to let go of my paddle. I then began to focus on getting my breath so I positioned my body where I was able to receive air. I then was back under the water reaching for my pull cord. I was finally able to get out of the boat. (I think Mr. Wofford was more freaked out that I was.)

Once we got off the river we began the long drive back. On are way back we stopped for AWSOME barbecue. I tried to ride with Mr. Wofford as long as I could. I just enjoy are conversation every time we are together.

This was my experience from down the Hiwasse.