St. Thomas of Villanova 7th graders Learn Hands-on at Timber-lee

The Seventh Grade class at St. Thomas of Villanova experienced the epitome of hands-on learning when they embarked on their annual November field trip to Camp Timber-lee, a Christian summer camp located in East Troy, Wisconsin.

This highly-anticipated three-day overnight trip included educational opportunities that surpassed the four walls of the classroom, like digging for fossils, rock climbing, animal encounters, geocaches, GPS and orienteering skills, archery and measuring kettles created by receding glaciers, to name only a few.

Created by Principal Mary Brinkman and organized by Physical Education and Health teacher, Mark Sorrentino, the field trip boasts more than educational benefits for the young adults who attend.

"The trip to Timber-Lee is not only a fun trip for the students, but a tremendous learning experience for them as well," explained Sorrentino, who chaperoned the trip along with Stephanie Hardy, seventh grade teacher and the school's Assistant Principal. "During the trip, students build better relationships with classmates through several team building activities. They also get out of their comfort zone and try several new activities that they typically do not have the opportunity to try."

Hands-on learning is at the heart of St. Thomas of Villanova's curriculum programming. In addition to Timber-lee, other grade-level class trips include fourth and fifth grade excursions to Chicago and Springfield, a sixth grade outing to NIU's outdoor education center, Lorado Taft, and an eighth grade trip to Washington D.C. Bus transportation for field trips is courtesy of the Friends of St. Thomas of Villanova School (FOSTOVS).

St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic School is located at 1141 E. Anderson Drive, Palatine. For more information, call 847-358-2110 or visit the school's new, user-friendly website: stvschool.org