As we humans often do when approaching the end of a chapter, I have found my mind slipping to memories of this past year. Creating the music video. Knocking on doors at the Rayburn House Office Building. Tossing eggs attached to parachutes out of the third-floor windows. Somehow surviving the Billy Goat Trail. Celebrating Valentine’s Day with a Sharks and Hearts party (yes, SharkBoy and Lavagirl is now an Adventure Studio favorite). Sharing our dreams for our community. Nostalgic, I know. To be honest with you, thinking about the end of the year hasn’t exactly been at the top of my priority list. All of the beautiful milestones and celebrations at the end of the year also come with transitions.
In a mixed-age environment, we–learners, families, and guides–have the honor and privilege of partnering with each other for several years at a time, giving us the opportunity to cultivate real and meaningful relationships. We see each other on our better days and our hard days. We struggle together. We celebrate together. We solve conflicts together. We grow together. In this environment where genuine care is fostered, and transitions lie ahead, I can’t help but wonder—as a guide—will they be okay? Spoiler alert: yes, they will. And here’s why…
Adventure encourages backing up one’s claim with evidence. In light of this, I’ve been searching for a story to prove my confidence, however, I keep returning to the everyday–those small, steady choices that speak loudly. I’d like to share some of those moments with you.
- As you know, our outside space is cozy and multiple activities take place at the same time. One group will sit in a circle and chat while another group engages in an intense game of volleyball and another group plays soccer. When someone accidentally gets hit with a ball, someone else asks if they’re okay. When someone falls to the ground, there’s a hand outstretched and a pat on the back. TVS learners take care of each other.
- One of my favorite Adventure Studio traditions is celebrating someone’s birthday with character callouts. I have yet to see a celebration where hands do not immediately fly up to uplift a fellow trailblazer. The learners often recognize strengths like kindness, empathy, humor, and determination. TVS learners celebrate each other’s strengths, wins, and moments of joy.
- The times I have seen one learner help another, or sometimes even multiple learners, with challenging problems on Khan are more than I can count. The times I have seen a learner check in on someone when they are down are more than I can count. The times I have seen a learner stand up for someone are more than I can count. TVS learners support each other through struggle and show compassion.
- Our model encourages learners to grow in self-direction. They set goals for themselves every day, and often reach them. They pursue passions unapologetically, like when two learners decided TVS needed a makerspace so they wrote a proposal, secured funding, and made the space available to the community. When learners don’t meet their goals, they reflect, make plans for moving forward, and keep trying until they identify the tools and strategies that work best for them. TVS learners take ownership of their journeys.
- Failure is an important and necessary part of the learning process. Especially when learners fail, there are valuable lessons learned. Take building Cities for Tomorrow as an example of this. Was there frustration? Yes. Was it challenging? Absolutely. Did the learners feel emotions that can be difficult to feel? Of course. And, in time, they stood back up and dusted themselves off. TVS learners are resilient.
So, will they be okay? Yes. They will care, celebrate, support, take ownership, and get back up again when they fall. Transitions are hard, but we can have confidence that whatever the next step is–taking on more challenging badge work, transitioning to a new studio, or moving on to a new adventure–TVS learners will thrive.
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