by Michael Skubal - Daily News Staff

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The Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom (CAVOC) and the school forest that surrounds it are important learning resources for the Rhinelander School District. On a chilly but sunny Wednesday morning the Student Service Learning Class was taking advantage of both.

This team-building class has been in existence for three years. Generally based on Steven Corey’s book Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens, the class uses lessons from the book to teach teamwork and leadership. Students use the climbing tower, beam and rope courses as powerful teaching tools.

Half of the group at CAVOC are veterans of the program and half are new. Thirty-four students are in the class, 17 seniors and 17 juniors. They are paired, one senior and one junior and also one male and one female. It’s a two year commitment.

As sophomores they self-nominate for the program. Ninety-six students applied this past year. The rest of the class votes on who gets in. Those with the highest number of votes are chosen.

On Wednesday the class was being facilitated by family consumer education teacher Jackie Anderson, economics and psychology teacher Doug Nelson and Leah LeFebvre. “We’re beginning to team build with the incoming class,” said Anderson. “One of Principal Mike Werbowsky’s goals was to help facilitate a smooth transition to high school for incoming students. This class was his vision.

One of our big days is freshman orientation. Each of the 8th-graders will have get-acquainted and team building activities. The focus this year is to help students keep their grades up. We also help with new student breakfast and homecoming activities.

We even helped with 8th grade parent night by serving a spaghetti dinner. The idea is that relationship building will help keep kids in school. We’re a lot like goodwill ambassadors.”

Werbowsky was hesitant to take credit, “I had the idea and planted a seed. It grew as a group effort. I love the fact that our students have the opportunity to stretch their skills and develop their leadership by helping others.”

Except for teacher time, there are no school funds used for this program. It’s supported by grants and donations. The Student Service Learning Class has been working off an initial grant of $5,000 from Cellular One for the past three years. “Here’s a way to support your schools,” said Anderson. “We’re always looking for money.”

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