Soggy Socks: Camping Trip to Mohican State Park
Every spring, our Acton Academy Columbus tribe heads out into nature—not just to camp, but to connect. To slow down. To get muddy, laugh loudly, and remember what it means to be human in the natural world. This year, our third annual camping trip took us to the beautiful Mohican State Park, following past adventures at Deer Run Creek Park (2023) and Hocking Hills (2024).
It rained. A lot.
There was mud. There were cold toes and soggy shoes. But there was also:
✨ Laughter echoing through the trees
✨ Ghost in the Graveyard under cloudy skies
✨ Muddy bike rides that left us caked in earth and joy
✨ Fishing, even when the fish weren’t biting
✨ Late-night popcorn under tarp shelters
✨ Campfire songs, stories, and s’mores
Where Waldorf Philosophy Meets the Wild
At Acton, we embrace a Waldorf-inspired approach to education—one that sees the child as a whole being: body, mind, and spirit. That’s why moments like this camping trip matter so deeply.
In Waldorf education, nature is not a backdrop—it is a teacher. Rainy weather becomes an invitation to persevere. A muddy trail becomes a canvas for imagination and exploration. And a cold morning becomes a lesson in resilience and community care. We don’t shield our learners from discomfort—we guide them in how to engage with it in meaningful, character-building ways.
Rather than pressing “pause” on learning for a weekend, we brought our curriculum into the forest:
Learners navigated group dynamics and practiced social-emotional skills as they set up tents and shared meals.
They engaged in sensory-rich, embodied experiences—climbing, walking, cooking, moving—in line with Waldorf’s deep emphasis on movement and connection to the physical world.
They experienced rhythm and routine, a cornerstone of Waldorf philosophy, as we ate together, played together, cleaned up, and gathered around the fire.
We didn't need whiteboards or worksheets. We had stories under stars. Teamwork under tarps. Courage in the cold. And all of it matters.
The Gift of Discomfort
This trip wasn’t perfect. But in many ways, it was perfectly Acton. We believe, as both Waldorf and Acton philosophies affirm, that true growth happens when children are given the freedom to explore, the time to process, and the courage to try—even when the outcome is uncertain.
When our learners trudge up a trail soaked through with rain, help a younger friend carry firewood, or warm their toes by the fire after a long wet day, they’re doing more than “camping.” They’re becoming.
They’re becoming humans who:
Can adapt to changing environments
See beauty in imperfection
Choose joy in less-than-ideal conditions
Build community through shared experience
Why We Keep Coming Back
We’ll keep doing this every year—not because it’s easy, but because it’s essential.
We go camping because:
🌱 Education doesn’t stop when the weather shifts.
💪 Growth doesn’t wait for comfort.
🔥 And sometimes, the best memories are made when everything’s a little soggy.
From the Waldorf perspective, these experiences connect deeply with the heart of what it means to educate a child holistically. From the Acton perspective, they remind us that our heroes are capable of anything—especially when they work together.
So here’s to Mohican. To muddy trails and magical memories. To forest classrooms, shared stories, and the power of learning outdoors.
Learn more about our outdoor traditions like Forest Fridays.