Summer Retreats Start with Teamwork, Robotics & Leading by Example

Students had a blast the first week of RPS 205 summer programs! In Water, Water, Water, one of several summer program interest-based retreats, students visited Atwood Center when rain forced a change of plans. Students instead worked on team building exercises.

An empty coffee can was placed upon the foot of one student with the rest sitting in a circle with their legs outstretched.

The goal: get the can from one foot to the other while going around the circle.
The problem: the student with the can on their foot is not allowed to touch the can.

Through some trial and error and teamwork, the group was able to come up with a game plan. Each student would collect the can from the person before them, place it on their foot, and repeat. They raced against the clock to show how communication was key in reaching their goals.

RPS 205 has a full calendar of interest-based retreats and a summer camp for all students. More than 4,800 students are signed up to participate in a combination of summer programs – such as CAMP and weeklong interest-based retreats, Early Childhood programs, credit recovery, extended school year for special education students, a newcomers program for English-language learners and a ReFRESH program to bridge students from eighth grade into high school. This year’s enrollment is the largest in RPS 205 history.

The Robotics and Coding retreat was popular among elementary students – especially for older students teaching younger students by the end of the week. For more photos from RPS 205 summer programs and student-captured photos, visit the RPS 205 Facebook page.

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Jacob Kanthak

Jacob Kanthak is a Social Emotional Learning Specialist in RPS 205.