Extra-Curricular Programs

A wide variety of opportunities

At Marburn Academy we believe that in addition to developing academic skills, we must also offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities that provide experiences of success necessary to build personal confidence and self-worth.

Music

In addition to the intrinsic value of music as a creative art, research also indicates that musical instruction stimulates brain development. All Marburn Academy students participate in music classes and performances based on Orff-Kodaly music education principles. Concepts are first learned experientially on Orff instruments; students then learn musical notation and progress to keyboards, vocal music, and sight reading.

Studio Arts

Marburn Academy offers art classes which foster creativity and promote skill development, analytical ability, and craftsmanship. Students work in a variety of genre, including painting, drawing, printmaking, weaving, wood working, and ceramics. Projects are often integrated with social studies or enrichment units, and they support development of skills which are critical to success in academic areas.

Physical Education/Athletics

Marburn Academy’s physical education classes give all students the opportunity to improve fitness, practice teamwork, develop skills, and build confidence. Athletic teams and clubs provide opportunities for students to participate in activities such as basketball, volleyball, cross country, golf, soccer, and fitness programs.

Outdoor Adventure

The "Voyageurs" program provides students with a supportive environment for developing confidence and leadership skills by successfully meeting the challenges of outdoor adventure activities. These activities may include day hikes, backpacking trips, high ropes, horseback riding, white water rafting, canoe trips, bike trips, rock climbing, and skiing.

Marburn’s Voyageurs Program

“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!” That’s what American Educator Thomas H. Palmer said, and it’s the basic motto of Marburn’s Voyageur Program, if not everything we do here at Marburn. This concept is an easy one to talk about, but can be difficult in practice. What better way for students to learn this lesson than to EXPERIENCE IT? As a result, Marburn's climbing program, which takes place during Physical Education classes, and the innovative Outdoor Education Program called Voyageurs were designed to offer exactly that kind of experience. These programs are open to all of our students.

Offering challenging activities where students may have to try, try again is the cornerstone of our Voyageur Program. We strive to offer experiences and challenges that help our students gain independence, find some new interests and talents, and help shape their character. We have found that such experiences also carryover to the classroom by enriching the learning process. Sometimes, the learning process can be frustrating; this can happen for any one of us but can occur more often for students who learn differently since they usually experience less success in classroom situations. Students may feel like they are going nowhere, or even backwards. Other times there can be steady, plodding progress. And yet other times seem to be peak learning experiences, or “AH HA! moments,” when everything just comes together. Such gigantic learning moments are often very memorable, as they tend to stick with us for a long time. These learning opportunities are best described as “teachable moments” and through our Voyageur Program we create as many such opportunities as possible.

We use many different kinds of physical challenges to create teachable moments and help the students process through their experience so the lesson is actually learned. A Voyageur Trip also puts teachers, (and sometimes parents) in a position to experience a teachable moment for themselves, as well. We’ve had both teachers and parents experience something new right along with the students, which can sometimes turn the students into the experts and effective encouragers. For example, imagine yourself as a teacher or parent, rappalling off of a 90 foot river gorge in West Virginia…now imagine doing it in front of all of your students who are looking to you for confidence! This creates a teachable moment for everyone!

Some of the trips we’ve taken in the last few years include:

An 8-mile bike trip with our Lower Division students
A 30-mile backpacking trip with Middle Division students
Skiing/snowboarding
White Water Rafting
A 50-mile bike trip with our Middle Division students
A climbing/ rappalling trip
Horse back riding
Canoeing/kayaking
Meeting a 28 foot snake and other reptiles, up close and personal
High Ropes Challenges
Caving and climbing
Fishing
Camping
…and others!

MARBURN ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL VOYAGEURS PROGRAM

FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR

“ZIPPING THE DAY AWAY”
October 23rd 8:30am – 3:00pm
Cost - $80 per person lunch included
This is a 3-hour tour, which is a big adventure for any thrill seeker. We will be zipping (on a secure zip line) through treetops on a series of cables and sky bridges and exploring the Hocking Hills area by air. These cables reach their peak at 70 feet. We will have the opportunity to overlook caves, rock cliffs, and the Hocking River. Our hosts will be a company called, “Canopy Tours” and you can check out their web site at: www.hockinghillscanopytours.com

“SKI AND SNOWBOARD DAY TRIP”
February 19th 8:30am – 7:00pm
Approximate cost - $80 per person +rental and lesson fees
We will be going to a local ski/snowboard resort for the day to learn all about skiing and snowboarding. No previous experience is required so beginners as well as expert skiers are welcome. Transportation and food is included in the cost.

HIGH SCHOOL BIG ADVENTURE – White water rafting
May 13 8:30am to May 15th at 2:00pm
Approximate cost - $325
We will head to West Virginia for a 3-day big adventure! We will go White Water Rafting on the New River and participate in a second activity that the high school students who go on this trip will choose. Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing and Rappelling, Duckie Rafting, Horseback Riding are all possibilities. All food, lodging, transportation, and activity costs will be included in the price. No experience necessary!

MARBURN ACADEMY MIDDLE DIVISION VOYAGEURS PROGRAM

FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR

A DAY IN THE TREES – HIGH ROPES ADVENTURE
November 3 8:30am – 3:00pm
Approximate cost - $50, including lunch
We will leave Marburn and head to Summit Vision in Westerville where we will face the challenges on the "Kilimanjaro High Ropes Course." A high ropes course consists of a series of elements built on poles 30 - 50 feet above the ground. The ropes course design challenges individuals to overcome perceived limitations, expand their comfort zones, take safe risks, and reflect upon their own personal strengths and contributions to the group. Participants engage in extensive safety training before attempting the ropes course challenge. You can check out the ropes course at www.summit-vision.com.

SKI-SNOWBOARD TRIP
February 25 8:00am to February 27 at 9:00pm
Approximate cost - $325 + rental and lesson fees
The middle school students will vote to decide on the location of this ski trip. In the past we have had wonderful trips to Snowshoe, West Virginia, Holiday Valley, New York, Canaan Valley, West Virginia, Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania, and others. We can't wait to hear our destination for this year!

CAVING TRIP
May 7th 8:00am to May 8th 9:00pm
Approximate cost - $100; includes all transportation, lodging, and food
Last year was the first year for a caving trip; it was such a fantastic experience that we have added one to the list for this year, too. We will go to Rockcastle, Kentucky, and meet up with a private caving society called a “Grotto.” The people who make up the the Grottos are dedicated cavers who explore new caves, make maps of caves, and make sure that the caves are preserved. They will lead us on a 5-hour caving experience, where we will be able to climb, crawl through, and explore caves that are not generally open to the public. We will get to explore at least 2 caves during our time in Kentucky. The students will also be camping out, cooking meals, and learning about the natural preserve we will be staying on.

MARBURN LOWER DIVISION VOYAGEURS PROGRAM

FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR

ANNUAL BIKE TRIP
October 6th 8am – 3pm
Approximate cost - $20; includes lunch
Since the lower school has been growing in size, this trip will be divided into 2 groups. The younger Lower Division students will do an 8-mile trip, stopping at all of the playgrounds on the way. The older Lower Division students will be doing a 12-mile trip, and of course, also stopping at playgrounds along the way. Both groups will enjoy a picnic lunch.

SKI/SNOWBOARD TRIP- LOWER DIVISION 1
January 22nd 8:00am - 6:00pm
Approximate cost - $50 + the cost of lessons
Students will be skiing or snowboarding all day at Snowtrails in Mansfield, Ohio. What is better than skiing or snowboarding on a school day when there is barely anyone on the slopes? No experience is necessary and beginners are welcome.

SKI/SNOWBOARD TRIP - LOWER DIVISION 2
January 22nd 8:00am to January 23rd at 3:00pm
Approximate cost - $100 + the cost of lessons
Students will be skiing or snowboarding all day at Snowtrails in Mansfield, Ohio. What is better than skiing or snowboarding on a school day when there is barely anyone on the slopes? No experience is necessary and beginners are welcome. In addition to skiing with the rest of the Lower Division, we will be spending the night at a camp in Mansfield, Ohio and sledding the next day.

VOYAGEUR DAY –LOWER DIVISION GROUP 1
April 24th 8:00am – 3:00pm
Approximate cost - $20
We will make the outdoors our classroom for this entire day by offering several different adventures. In the past we have tried offered fishing, horseback riding, reptile-care, hiking, and other activities.

VOYAGEUR DAY –LOWER DIVISION GROUP 2
May 21 at 8am – May 22nd at 12pm
Approximate cost $35
On this overnight we will help prepare this class for the next upcoming school year by helping them gain confidence and independence. We will be camping in tents and participating in many outdoor activities and challenges.

VOYAGEUR DAY –LOWER DIVISION GROUP 3
DATE in April TBA
Approximate cost – TBA
We will be heading up to Stone Laboratory on South Bass Island to participate in a water and science workshop. As soon as we have details, we will get them to you.

“The things we have to learn before we do them, we learn by doing them.”
-Aristotle

Recent Extra-Curricular Opportunities

During the 2006-2007 school year, 98% of Marburn Academy students participated in one or more of our school activities. In addition, 47.4% of students participated in 3 or more different activities! The list of choices has included: