Student Development Days

• Students will reflect on their own identity—their values, interests, and what makes them who they are—through the lens of climbing and outdoor adventure. Mosaic staff will introduce the concept of a “personal journey map,” drawing parallels between the challenges and triumphs of climbing and the journey of growing up.

• Students will engage in guided self-reflection activities, exploring questions like: What are my strengths? What challenges have shaped me? What kind of person do I want to become? They will use available resources to research climbers and outdoor adventurers whose stories resonate with their own values.

• The session will be interspersed with structured climbing sessions framed as personal challenges—students set individual goals before each climb and reflect on their experience afterward. Belaying exercises will emphasize trust in oneself and in others, and group challenges will require students to communicate their needs and celebrate each other’s unique contributions.

• Deliverable: Students will create a “My Climbing Journey” personal map or zine that illustrates their strengths, goals, and identity. They will also write a reflective letter to their future selves and contribute a page to a collaborative class identity mural displayed in the gym.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL JOURNEY DAY: AGES 6–9

Celebrate What Makes You, YOU Through Climbing and Creative Expression

• Students will explore what makes them special—their favorite things, their unique
  talents, and what makes them a great friend. Through social-emotional learning activities
  centered on self-expression, students will discover that everyone brings something
  different and valuable to the group.

• Students will practice expressing who they are through a variety of fun, age-appropriate
  activities that build confidence and celebrate individuality. They will create personal
  climbing mottos and explore how their unique strengths help them on the wall.

•  Climbing with Character Challenge Examples:
  ○ My Superpower Climb: Before each climb, students name one thing they’re great at
  and dedicate the climb to that strength
  ○ Goal Setter: Students pick a personal climbing goal and celebrate when they reach
  it, no matter how big or small
  ○ Uniquely Me Station: Students rotate through stations that highlight different
  strengths (balance, problem-solving, courage, teamwork)
  ○ Cheer Squad: Groups take turns being the climber vs. the encourager, using
  personalized cheer phrases
  ○ All About Me Wall: After climbing, students add a drawing or word to a collaborative
  mural about what makes each of them special
  ○ High-Five Finish: After every climb, partners share one thing they noticed the other
  did well
  
  
• Deliverable: Students will create an “All About Me” climbing passport that showcases
  their strengths, goals, and favorite things. They will collaborate on a community identity
  board that visually represents the unique qualities of every student in the group. They
  will also draw self-portraits as climbers and write one personal goal to take home.
  
  
• The session will be interspersed with climbing activities, including an introduction to
  climbing as a lifetime fitness activity, personal goal-setting at an age-appropriate level,
  self-expression and celebration of peers, and physical fitness and body awareness.