The 2015-2016 Blanchester FFA officer team participaed in their annual officer retreat in Oregonia Aug. 15. All nine officers traveled with their two ag teachers, Mr. Shell and Mr. Heeg, to the overnight team-bonding trip, located at YMCA Camp Kern.
The first day consisted of low ropes activities, requiring the team members to work together to accomplish different tasks. Some of the bonding activities required the team members to trust each other in what seemed like risky situations. One of these consisted of working together to move people around on narrow railroad ties, so that the tallest person was on one end and the shortest on the other. Another required them to blindfold a few people and lead them through a web of strings, from one end to another.
At the end of each activity, the team’s thoughts and opinions were given on how they felt about the task and even what they thought about our teammates. The low ropes lasted about three hours.
After dinner, the team and teachers grouped together for a discussion session on what activities they plan on doing this school year. All offered ideas on how to improve and promote the FFA chapter. Members concluded the night with a few rounds of Israeli dodgeball and a campfire.
Sunday morning, they woke up early to eat a pancake and cereal breakfast and to prepare to leave. The bus picked members up later that morning, returning them to Blanchester High School, concluding the officer retreat.
