2025 HSLP: Day 2

High School Leaders Program Class of 2025
Day 2: Sunday, July 13
Reported By: Radha Basnet (Princess Anne High School, Virginia Beach VA) and Nora Wild (West Potomac High School, Alexandria VA)

Today we started our day with a yummy breakfast at O-Hill and got to know our peers in the program more. Then, we took a walk to the Poplar Ridge ropes course. We met with Gill and Victor, our instructors for the day, and we started off with a few large group activities that involved blindfolds, communication skills, and retrieving treasure. Then, we split into two smaller groups to complete separate challenges such as a rope swing, a balance beam, and a blind walk through the forest.

After stopping to eat lunch catered from Panera and completing a few more small group tasks, the whole group was challenged to climb a tall, dangling ladder and ring a bell at the top of it. Four students at the bottom (the belay team) were holding a rope that supported the climber, testing the group’s trust in each other. At the end of the ropes course, the group reflected on what they learned about team building and what they learned about each other.

We returned to O-Hill where we ate a dinner of chicken parmesan, salad, and pizza. Many HSLP scholars discovered the ice cream machine and indulged in a sweet treat. Although (even better), later in the evening, we were all surprised with our own personalized ice cream party! We chose between various toppings and flavors in ice cream and had lovely chats.

Everyone was exhausted from the day but ready for their first day of class that was awaiting them!