Programs
WILL members commit to participate in all WILL activities, which typically take place once or twice a month, usually on Saturdays. Extended trips, such as the Wilderness Expedition or Chesapeake Bay Adventure, are exceptions (see below). No WILL activities interfere with members' regular school schedules. And all activities, whether a trip to the XM Satellite Radio studios, the theatre, college admissions forum, service project, or high adventure on the Chesapeake Bay or Appalachian Trail, enlarge the life experiences, and build character and the leadership potential of our members.
1. Challenge/Ropes Course - On two wonderful fall Saturdays in October and November 2006, WILL kicked off its 2006 - 2007 year with a challenge/ropes course. The day features various challenges that help to form a cohesive WILL unit built on trust and teamwork. The day begins with ice breakers and other getting-acquainted activities and moves to "low ropes" challenges designed to build trust and foster teamwork among newly acquainted WILL members. The afternoon's "high ropes" challenge reinforces the mornings lessons and calls WILL members to reach beyond their comfort zones for new horizons.
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"WILL has taught me that there’s
always going to be challenges in life because nothing
good comes easily. So I should be prepared to face
different obstacles and all I have to do is stay
strong and believe in myself." —
Mankah
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"The
ropes course was a time where we didn't know each
other and we started to trust each other more after
that day. I set some goals to complete and
I did." —
Olester |
2. Parents Orientation
- Early in the fall, WILL holds an orientation for parents
and new WILL members. See "Parents" page for details (click
here).
3. On Board the Susquehanna to Learn How to Keep the Bay Healthy - On the two Saturdays before Thanksgiving, WILL goes aboard the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's (CBF's) boat, "The Susquehanna," to learn about the importance of the Bay to the region, the integral role that the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers play in keeping the Bay healthy, and how our lives on land impact these vital waterways. WILL members pair up to perform different water quality tests and then describe their results to the group. We also pull fish from the rivers to learn how to identify and handle them, an exciting new experience for most WILL members. The Susquehanna is a workboat originally designed for crabbing and dredging oysters on the Chesapeake. It is a great way to spend a fall day--and educational, too.
| "We need to know more
about our rivers and see how bad they are and how we
can help improve it." —
Lashawn |

"This
program teaches us the behavior we should develop
in our lives, when we face reality." —
Stefany |
4. WILL's Holiday Party
- Each December, WILL members and their families gather together
to celebrate the holiday season with a festive party. WILL
members arrive early and decorate the party room in true holiday
style. The families then join for a tasty meal and festivities
which include a special, personal gift for each WILL member
commemorating the first part of his/her year-long WILL adventure.
On December 9, 2006, 75 WILL members and their families celebrated
this special day together..
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| "For me, being in WILL was
like being in family."
— Jose |
5. Graduate Lunch - January 4, 2007, WILL began a new tradition of reuniting all WILL Graduates during the holidays. It is a wonderful occasion for catching up, laughing, and reminiscing about WILL experiences and finding out what old and new WILL friends are doing.
6. Martin Luther King Day - We discussed Civil
Rights, what it means, Dr King and respect for and of all people.
We then watched the nationally recognized documentary Paper
Clips. The film tells the story of how middle school students
in the small town of Whitwell, Tennessee, changed themselves
and their community forever with a special project that eventually
opened up hearts and minds around the world. The movie inspired
us with a real-life example of how committed individuals can
accomplish their goals and how diversity and tolerance enlarge
all our lives.
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"Civil
rights are something that people are born with that
can't be taken away."
Rolando
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7. A Day at the Lanes. On February 19, 2007, WILL members took advantage of a scheduled day off from school by bowling at DC's Lucky Strike bowling lanes. It was a day of good fun and camaraderie, which helped the group grow closer.
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"We went bowling to loosen
up and get to know each other better… and
have fun doing it." —
Rolando
"One thing
the bowling experience can give a person as a leader
is participating, communicating, supporting each other,
and having fun as a group." —
Samrawit
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8. Afro-Cuban Music. On March 17, 2007, WILL had the good fortune to learn about the roots of Afro-Cuban music and to experience the music of Cuba and other Latin American cultures from Steve, Kike, and Miguel, a/k/a Sweet Saludos. This trio is renowned in the DC area and countries around the globe, and has graced the Millennium Stage. It was a wonderful day of cultural exchange and interactive learning, as WILL members were taught how to play the instruments, and got to play them along with our musical ambassadors.
| "We're doing Afro-Cuban
music to learn about other cultures and broaden our
horizons, and to experience new things."
— Mankah |
9. Spring Break on the Bay - During spring break,
we spent three days with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)
at one of its four Environmental Education Centers on the
Bay, learning more about Bay ecology and the watershed. To
further our members' knowledge of the Bay, WILL traveled to
the Karen Noonan Center for three days and two nights, staying
in what had formerly been an old hunting lodge, now converted
to an educational
facility for the CBF. We explored and helped clean barrier
islands, dredged oysters, made s'mores, and expanded our growing
knowledge and appreciation of the Bay's importance to our
region and of our role in the Bay's future.
"It was
a time for us to separate ourselves from the loud
city and enjoy the bay. Lying in the marsh at
night was quiet, relaxing, and peaceful. I really
appreciate all that the program has done for us."
—Rolando
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| "I loved being in
the marsh. It's like a nice getaway if you just
lie there and listen to all sorts of birds."
— Keami |

| "We came down here
to escape from our own worlds and get into the world
of nature. I got to do FUN things that I never
did at home. Watching the sunset and sunrise was beautiful
and relaxing." —
Mankah |
10. Kennedy Center - On
April 14, WILL members were graciously hosted by Mickey Berra,
Vice President of Production, for a unique view behind the
scenes at The Kennedy Center. Mickey has worked at The
Kennedy Center since it opened rising from stage hand to his
current position running the production side of the Kennedy
Center without question, no one knows the inside of
the Kennedy Center better than Mickey. It was truly
an amazing day, as we learned what it takes to bring a production
to the stagefrom load-in to opening night. We
saw stage crews hard at work, seamstresses making costumes,
the change out of operas from the opera performed the night
before to the one to be performed that night starring Placido
Domingo; peeked into Mr. Domingo's dressing room; were on
stage where the Royal Shakespeare Theatre was performing Coriolanus;
played with props from the show, visited the Sheer Madness
set, and ate in The Kennedy Center Mess. It was an exceptional
day and we all owe Mickey many thanks for making it happen.
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"Maybe someone
would like to become an actor. We learned how hard
the work is behind the scenes." —
Rolando |
11. College Admissions Forum - On April
28, representatives from Trinity University (DC), Washington
and Lee, Penn State, and Towson introduced WILL members and
their families to the "mysteries" of the college
admissions process and what colleges look for in prospective
students. At this annual forum, WILL members are able to introduce
themselves to the college representatives, who are always
eager to get acquainted with exceptional young men and women
early in the student identification process. This is also
a good discussion relating to the financing of college tuition
led by an experienced person from the student loan industry.
“The WILL College Admissions
Forum was a great opportunity for students to hear about
various aspects of the college admissions process from knowledgeable
professionals representing diverse institutions. As an admissions
officer, I especially appreciated the opportunity I had
to interact one-on-one with such talented and motivated
students.” — Sharon
Alston, Director of Admissions, American University
12. Service Project on the banks of the Anacostia
- On May 19, WILL members, along with a few volunteers from
the local Washington & Lee University Alumni Chapter,
participated in a full-day service project working with the
Anacostia Watershed Society near Kingman Island on the Anacostia
River. We learned to identify native and invasive plants in
the area and removed invasive plants so that native plant
species could again thrive along the banks of the Anacostia
River. This project exemplifies the relationship WILL endeavors
to establish with the City: to play a regular role in the
upkeep and survival
of such a vital resource of our Nation's capital. WILL
believes it is essential for its members, as leaders, to understand
and appreciate the importance of giving back to one's community.
"How many people do you know
that go around saying they dug up honey suckers and helped
the Anacostia River? Not that many!" —
Keami
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"The service project was
hard work that made a tangible difference."
— Italo
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13. Scavenger Hunt on the National Mall - On June
2, WILL members had an exhilarating and educational day learning
about our Nation's history depicted in many monumants and
memorials and finding hidden gems in the rich museums along
the Mall. The day started with a leadership exercise. WILL
members were divided into teams a week in advance and had
to develop plans to arrive at the Mall together and find Steve
at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to receive each team's distinct
list of historic items and works of art to locate, including:
the number of columns around the Lincoln Memorial and what
they represent (do you know?), the date the first American
was killed in the Vietnam War, what the stars on the Wall
of Freedom at the WW II Memorial represent, what is the name
of the boat in Winslow Homer's Breezing Up, what is
the weight of the Hope Diamond, fascinating sculptures in
the Sculpture Garden at the National Art Gallery, and how
many lions are in Reubens' Daniel in the Lions' Den. It
was an invigorating day for all.
"This once-in-a-lifetime experience
allowed me to explore parts of my own city that I never thought
I would explore. It also unleashed the part of me that
enjoys history, art, and animals." —
Rolando

"My day chaperoning the WILL
scavenger hunt exceeded all of my expectations. As we walked
along the mall and talked about their schools, their families,
and shared our stories, I saw all the potential in the world
in these kids. I can't wait to help out at a future WILL
event." — Meghan,
WILL Volunteer
14. WILL Expedition The long anticipated Expedition arrived during the summer. This year, WILL's size necessitated three 7-day Expeditions, one in July and two in August. In conjunction with the Baltimore-Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound Center, WILL members explored the furthest reaches of our physical, mental, and spiritual boundaries as we backpacked along the Maryland and Pennsylvania sections of the famous Appalachian Trail. We pushed beyond our perceived limits to develop greater confidence in ourselves and greater trust in each other. We also learned to appreciate even more the benefits of working as a team. Most importantly, we learned that, with commitment, we can reach the goals we set for our lives. We also learned how to properly pack our packs, as we carried all our gear and provisions on our backs, we purified our water, cooked our food, went rock climbing, and participated in other fun and informative initiatives, including the famed Outward Bound Solo. We learned how to read a map, use a compass, set up a campsite, and apply "leave no trace" ethics and techniques so that wildlife and future visitors can also enjoy the unaltered great outdoors.
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"I've learned that no matter
how many obstacles I find in my way, I have to overcome
them. I'll put heart and soul to anything I'll
do in school because I've learned to believe in myself."
— Stefany
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| "WILL has taught me
that there's always going to be challenges in life because
nothing good comes easily. So I should be prepared
to face different obstacles and all I have to do is
stay strong and believe in myself." —
Mankah |
15. In between the Expedition and Graduation, WILL
members had a choice of activities from which to choose as
the final experience before Graduation and overwhelmingly
opted to return to the Museum of Natural History and the National
Gallery of Art.
16. Graduation - On September 15, WILL members and their families who successfully completed the year gathered at XM Radio to celebrate their accomplishments and honor their commitment to themselves, each other, and to WILL. WILL graduates and their families toured the innovative XM facilities and witnessed live prodcasts capping off a year of new experiences and experiential learning. WILL graduation is both a joyous and reflective time for everyone.

Each WILL year is a little different. Along with the activities and adventures described above, past events have included a tour of the U.S. Capitol, a visit to the 3rd District Metropolitan Police Station (with a ride in a police motorcycle sidecar!), a tour of the Pentagon, a visit to the Discovery Channel, and a DC United soccer match.
To view the 2004 - 2005 WILL Retrospective, please click here.
To view the 2005 - 2006 WILL Retrospective, please click
here.
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