GSB Mennonite

LOE, Part 2

To summarize what I heard from other students (and what I concur with) LOE was better than I expected. You never really know what to expect when you go off to 'camp' for a few days of 'outdoor experience.' It really was a lot of fun; I've got a scratchy throat from sitting outside and talking until 12:30 AM last night.

LOE took place at Lake Lawn Resort - a very nice and expansive complex in Wisconsin. Check out the overview of the resort if you're interested. What I thought was most intriguing was the long indoor walkways between each of the buildings, apparently in order to host events while completely snowed in. Actually it'd be an awesome place to be snowed in...

LOE activities were mostly with our cohort of 55-60 people and also within our squads of 7-8 people or combinations of squads. Lots of team activities, problem solving, and challenges throughout the two days - all the kinds of things that help teams understand communication, leadership, planning, etc.

We also went to a high and low ropes course nearby. I climbed the 60 foot climbing wall and then zip-lined off the top. The first few second or so is basically a free fall! And I was the first to make the 'leap of faith' jumping off a small platform 30 feet off the group and grabbing a bar hanging out in the middle of now where off the front of the platform. It's interesting to think about how irrational it is to throw yourself off the end of a platform 'hoping' that you make it. I thought the name of the event was appropriate. Faith can be a similarly fearful process, but like my jump, when you reach the point of understanding/safety it's well worth the apprehension.

Played a little table tennis and mini golf and the two days were filled with great food. I was plesantly surprised by the food and ate up! :)