Maine Students Choose Nature Walks Over Detention

Quick Smiles:

• Maine students opt for hikes over traditional detention.
• Nature walks offer a calming and focusing experience.
• Some students join hikes for self-discovery, not punishment.

At Morse High School in Maine, a unique twist on detention is taking root. Instead of sitting in a classroom, students who misbehave have the option to embark on a hike.

This refreshing alternative, introduced by school counselor Leslie Trundy, has become the preferred choice for many students.

When given the option, most students choose the hike over conventional detention.

Recently, a group of students joined Trundy on one of these hikes through the lush hills near Bath.

The students, a mix of freshmen and sophomores, shared their minor transgressions.

Wyatt Wells admitted to “playing video games in class,” while Nicholas Tanguay confessed to having “yelled at a teacher.” Elsie Nelson-Walling mentioned “probably, like, skipping class.”

Trundy was inspired to implement this alternative detention after attending an outdoor education conference last fall.

The idea is not without its critics. Some parents believe that hiking detentions don’t adequately address the need for punishment.

However, Trundy remains optimistic about the potential benefits, noting that some students seem to grasp the purpose of the hikes.

Nicholas Tanguay, who participated in the hike after yelling at a teacher, found the activity to be both focusing and calming.

He shared that the combination of walking, heavy breathing, and a sense of accomplishment had a positive effect, saying, “It’s true that nature and walking can improve a person’s mentality.”

Interestingly, not all participants are there for disciplinary reasons.

Sona Kipoy, who was not in detention, joined the hike to “find herself.”

“So you can just find yourself, yeah, I guess finding yourself in a forest is easier than in the city,” she reflected.

Trundy is eager to continue the program next year, hoping to see if any of this year’s participants become role models for future students.

This innovative approach to discipline may not be for everyone, but it certainly offers a refreshing perspective on how to engage students in positive ways.

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