MKA - TEAM Academy Relationship Reaches New Heights - Literally!

MKA's long-established relationship with TEAM Academy, a KIPP school in Newark, broke new ground this past weekend as four young sixth graders from TEAM accompanied MKA Upper School students and faculty on a camping and climbing trip to Ralph Stover Camp in Eastern Pennsylvania.

At the end of every school year, TEAM Academy takes their sixth grade on a week-long trip to the Grand Canyon, and, due to the efforts of MKA junior and TEAM volunteer Emma Sterling, permission was given for the youngsters to join the MKA Outdoor Club weekend in order to learn the basics of camping and prepare them to be leaders on their Grand Canyon trip in June.

About 50 MKA Upper School students regularly volunteer and tutor young children at different local organizations, and this weekend provided a new opportunity to interact outside the traditional classroom setting. "It was really great to have the TEAM kids with us on the trip." says Sterling, "and I'm hoping that it'll become an annual event. It was awesome that we could help the 6th graders be a little more prepared for their trip to the Grand Canyon." Response from TEAM was equally enthusiastic. Notes TEAM teacher Lauren Cooke, "Thank you for giving the students this great opportunity. They had a wonderful time!"

Click here to see photos of the trip.