Leadership Camp
October 31st, 2007
During the fourth week in October, secondary school students at the Pacific American School attended a five day leadership camp on Yang Ming Shan. Over 80 students, along with seven staff, participated in the week long activities.
The camp focused upon the development of leadership skills, with time also dedicated to cooperative and team building exercises. Developed originally by David Kolb, the concept of experiential learning explores the cylical pattern of all learning from Experience through Reflection and Conceptualizing to Action and on to further Experience. 
Kolb’s ELC (Experiential Learning Cycle) “highlights four phases: concerete experience, relfective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experimentation. Each of these phases aligns with one of the four phases of the ELC. Kolb also indetifies four basic learning styles: diverging, assimilating, converging, and accommodation. Each style combines and uses different phases of the learning cycle.” A variety of leadership skills were developed through our adventure in Taiwan’s beautiful natural environment.
From wall climbing to archery, the wide range of activities challenged students to take risks and overcome personal fears. They were given opportunities to problem solve in a group setting, and they were taught to support their fellow teammates in a very exciting and exotic setting. Although Camp Taiwan provided a busy schedule of events, students did find time to socialize and have some fun. Toasting marshmallows at a camp fire, creating and performing skits, playing strategy games, and taking part in a talent show were just a few of the additional activities students experienced at camp. The consensus of opinion was that a great time was had by all.
