For years, students have been required to go to Wolf Ridge in 8th Grade. However, this year that is changing. 

This year, students could either go to Wolf Ridge or do local service. Originally, there was also an option to go on a trip to the Bahamas, but that was canceled this year due to a lack of interest. “The intent was to give an option for people who were unable to attend Wolf Ridge,” Junior High Dean Mr. Dave Platt said. 

The primary motivation for giving students another option besides Wolf Ridge was to ensure that students weren’t away from school with no connection for too long. “The original idea for this additional option came about because some students, for one reason or another, do not attend Wolf Ridge and did not have any school connection during that week. We thought if we added a local option, those students that can’t attend Wolf Ridge may be able to have an experience in town that would keep them connected during that week,” Junior High Principal Mrs. Rikki Mortl said. 

The plan was originally to offer an alternative to Wolf Ridge for those who had conflicting activities during the week; however, more students than expected decided to opt-out of Wolf Ridge. “I was disappointed and a bit surprised…when you give people choices they’ll often make the decision that goes towards their comfort zone,” Platt said.

More students chose to avoid going to Wolf Ridge and instead chose to do local service. “Approximately 50 [students]  are going [to Wolf Ridge]…closer to 90 chose the alternative,” Platt said. 

This change was accepted for the most part, and it was made in the interest of students. However, some were unhappy with it and the change was made to be a compromise between multiple parties. “Overall, most students and parents were in favor of the additional option…Many factors were taken into consideration when making this decision. Change was requested by some, but not all. I tried to figure out what the options were for still offering the trip but trying to help those students that do not attend Wolf Ridge. I tried to find a middle ground for all parties,” Mortl said.

For better or worse, students have been offered more choice than in the past, and the decision to go to Wolf Ridge is now almost entirely in the hands of the students. “A lot of students were happy they didn’t have to go…There are some people who were disappointed…Like anything, we’ll need to see how it goes this year,” Platt said.