Programs

WILL members commit to participate in all WILL activities, which typically take place twice a month, usually on Saturdays or school holidays. During the WILL Year, participants are together more than 285 hours, which would equal more than 1 ½ hours per school day if we met every day. Extended trips, such as the Wilderness Expedition or Chesapeake Bay Adventure, are exceptions (see below). No WILL activities interfere with the participants’ regular school schedules. And all activities—whether the Scavenger Hunt on the National Mall, nutrition and healthy eating choices, music from other cultures, the college admissions forum, service project, or high adventure on the Chesapeake Bay or Appalachian Trail—enlarge the life experiences, enhance decision making and life skills, build character, and develop the leadership potential of our members.

Each WILL Year looks similar to what is discussed below but has its own special essence. These activities and adventures trace the experiences of the 2010-11 WILL Class. Prior years’ adventures can be found by clicking on the “Retrospective” page for the year desired, found at the bottom of this “Programs” page.

1. Challenge/Ropes Course - On two wonderful fall Saturdays, October 22 and October 30, 2010, WILL kicked off its 2010-2011 year of experiential learning and leadership development with a challenge/ropes course. The day featured various challenges that help to form a cohesive WILL unit built on trust and teamwork. We began with ice breakers and other getting-acquainted activities and then moved to "low ropes" challenges designed to build trust and to foster teamwork and communication among newly acquainted WILL members. The afternoon's "high ropes" challenge reinforced the morning’s lessons and called for WILL members to stretch their comfort zones to begin to realize there are no boundaries to what each can accomplish.

"The rope course helped me be the person I know I can be." —Kém	"Trust and teamwork" —Frank

2. Rivers Day - All Aboard The Susquehanna - On November 6 & 13, 2010, WILL members boarded the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's (CBF's) boat, The Susquehanna (a workboat originally designed for crabbing and dredging oysters on the Chesapeake), to learn about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay to the region, the wide expanse of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the integral role that the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers play in the Bay Watershed, our role in keeping the Bay healthy, and how our lives on land impact these vital waterways and the Bay. WILL members teamed up to perform different water quality tests and then described their results to the group. We also pulled fish from the rivers with a net to learn how to identify and properly handle them (returning them unharmed to their watery home). This always is an incredible, invigorating and educational experience - new for most WILL members – and a great way to spend a fall day.

3. WILL's Holiday Party - Each December, WILL members and their families gather together to celebrate the holiday season with a festive party. Members arrived early, let their creative juices flow and practiced team work and communication skills as they decorated the party room in true holiday style and created their own special designs on their new holiday stockings. The families then joined for a tasty meal, discussion about WILL, our mission and goals, and festivities including a special, personal gift for each WILL member to commemorate the first part of his/her year-long WILL adventure. On December 11, 2010, 65 WILL members and their families celebrated this special day together.

4. Alumni Lunch – December 29, 2010, WILL graduates met during the holidays for a reunion lunch. It was a wonderful occasion for catching up, laughing, and reminiscing about WILL experiences and finding out what old and new WILL friends are doing.

5. 1st Nutrition & Cultural Appreciation Day - On January 8, 2011, we had the first of our two wellness/nutrition and cultural appreciation days, which are invaluable elements of our program. The first half of the day, Monica Silvestro, a renowned Certified Holistic Health Counselor (Monica’s website address is www.yourintuitivehealth.com), engaged WILL participants in a lively discussion about healthy eating choices, portion size, reading packages for nutritional content, the benefits of organic over processed foods, and ended by teaching us how to make a terrific organic burrito lunch. In the afternoon, we once again had the good fortune to learn about the roots of South American 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 at the Kennedy Center. WILL members had hands-on experience playing the instruments such as the bombo legüero along with our musical ambassadors. It was a wonderful day of interactive learning and cultural exchange.

"If there are a lot of things and a lot of words you didn’t know how to pronounce, it would be better not to eat that food." —Bernadet

6. Martin Luther King Day - On January 17th, we discussed Dr. King, civil rights, and the concepts of diversity and consideration and respect for everyone. We then watched the nationally recognized movie Freedom Writers. The film tells the true story about a young teacher in a diverse urban high school who inspires her at-risk students to accomplish their goals and how diversity and tolerance enlarge all our lives. We had the extraordinary good fortune to have a friend of Steve’s relate to us his incredible life story of achievement and attaining ones’ goals – he struggled through high school and worked as a laborer for ten years before going to college, where he decided he wanted to be a journalist. He received a graduate degree in journalism from Columbia and worked for prestigious periodicals, including Newsweek, before joining the Obama Administration.

"The theme from the movie (Freedom Writers) would be to never say never and that it’s never too late to change your life around." —Bernadet
			"It showed how one person can change the world." —Jon

7. A Day at the Lanes - On February 21, 2011, Presidents Day, WILL members took advantage of a scheduled day off from school by bowling at DC's Lucky Strike bowling lanes. The day promoted group cohesiveness and, for many, was an invigorating new activity.

"Bowling is to get to know each other better, and for us to have fun together.". —Henok

"Music is rhythm in your body that wants you to dance or sing–music is like art." —Jawon			"My challenge today was to try something new. I tasted guacamole. It was tasty." —Rashad
"Checking the labels limit the amount of sugar and salt and calories I have in a day." —Marc		"WILL wants us to learn about other cultures and engage in other traditions." —Briana

9. Kennedy Center - March 19, 2011, we had an amazing guided tour of the Kennedy Center learning its history and little known facts regarding this remarkable place. WILL participants had the incredible experience of going behind the scenes at The Kennedy Center, including being on the Opera House Stage with the set of Madam Butterfly. This year we coordinated our special trip to The Kennedy Center with Indian Arts Festival and were accompanied by Pahuna, a friend of Steve’s, who is a native of India. Pahuna was a scintillating guide to the treasures on display and captivated WILL members with discussions of India's culture.

"We came to appreciate the culture and beauty and power of India." —Jon		"... and also respect arts and music." —Marc

10. Spring Break on the Bay - During spring break, we spent three days and two nights with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) at the Karen Noonan Center, one of the CBF’s four Environmental Education Centers on the Bay. The Karen Noonan Center is a former hunting lodge which has been converted to an educational facility for the CBF. During our stay at the Noonan Center, WILL members continued to build on their environmental/ecological education and understanding of the Bay and its watershed, begun in the fall. We learned more about sediment and nutrients, climate change and erosion and their impact on the Bay, the benefits of filtration provided by trees and grasses, and why the marsh is so important on many levels. We continued to build the group into a cohesive team. We explored and removed debris from barrier islands, dredged on an oyster bar, set crab pots, made s'mores and told stories about the history of the area, including stories about Harriet Tubman who was born down the road from the KNC, did leadership initiatives and played fun games like predator and prey in the marsh, and generally expanded our growing knowledge and appreciation of the Bay's importance to our region and of our role in the Bay's future. The trip to the KNC provided a wonderful opportunity for WILL members to be out of the city and to have many new experiences, including seeing magnificent sunsets and sunrises, ospreys, and bald eagles.

"This adventure was beyond the fun I ever had." —Jawon

"It made me look at the world from a different view. It made me think about my life and a lot of other things." —Bernadet			"I saw a shooting star. It gave me hope and allowed me to make a wish." —Dondre

11. College Admissions Forum & Expedition Orientation - On April 30, representatives from American University, Penn State, Towson, Trinity University (DC), and Washington & Lee 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. The forum also provided a good discussion about the financing of college tuition and the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) program. We describe the Expedition in detail, answer questions, allay fears, set expectations, inform WILL students and families what to bring, what will be provided and what may not be brought on the Expedition, and encourage participants to be open to the experience, which will challenge us all in different ways.

"I learned that some small colleges are awesome and big colleges aren’t all that." —Marc	"I learned about grants and websites for loans. Also that the admission process is different for each university." —Kimberly

12. Service Project on the banks of the Anacostia - On May 14, WILL members participated in a full-day service project working with the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS). We built circular goose fence in which wetland plants would be planted in the weeks to follow in the Anacostia River (on the River bottom during low tide). 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.

13. Day at the Newseum - May 21st, WILL spent an educational day at The Newseum. We had an incredible day learning about historic and current events. WILL members read about the Unabomber and stood inside his cabin; learned about the Cold War and the Berlin Wall which separated friends and families, viewed the largest portion of the Wall outside of Germany and peered inside a three-story East German guard tower that loomed near Checkpoint Charlie; experienced a moving tribute to photojournalist William Biggart who died covering the 911 attacks in New York, including some of the final photographs he took; and had fun in the interactive newsroom where WILL members picked up a microphone, stood before the camera and got to feel what it is like to be an on air reporter.

"We came to see what history is." —Henok

14. Scavenger Hunt on the National Mall - On June 11, WILL members had an exhilarating and educational day learning about our Nation's history, depicted in many monuments and memorials, and finding hidden gems in the rich museums along the Mall. The day started with a leadership exercise—a week in advance of the event, WILL members were divided into teams and had to develop plans to arrive at the Mall together and find Steve at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Once there, each team received a distinct list of historic items and works of art to locate—like the fascinating sculptures in the Sculpture Garden at the National Art Gallery—and questions to answer including: how many columns surround the Lincoln Memorial and what they represent (do you know?); on what date was the first American was killed in the Vietnam War; what do 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; and how many lions are in Reubens' Daniel in the Lions' Den? The invigorating day concluded with a de-briefing and congratulatory lunch for job well done.

"Unreal! I didn’t think I would like this." —Frank

		"The Picasso painting opened my eyes to history." —Marc

15. WILL Expedition – The long-anticipated 7-day Expedition on the Appalachian Trail arrived during the summer. To minimize our impact on the wilderness, we split the group in half; the first half experienced the challenges of the Expedition June 18-24 and the rest of us went August 8-14. 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 Pennsylvania section 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. During the 2nd Expedition, we again did service work at Pine Grove State Forest and had the incredible tour of the Iron Master's Mansion including going into the basement of the mansion, which is believed to be part of the Underground Railroad.

		"I have tried soo many new things already and it opened my eyes and my mind a little bit." —Frank
	"My team was there to cheer me on. I wouldn’t have made it without them." —Labrina

"Rock climbing made me realize I can accomplish anything." —Marc

	"Vicki and I had to work together to prevent going in the wrong direction." —Bernadet   "I didn’t know how dirty the Anacostia is." —Jawon

17. Alumni Cookout - On August 20, WILL alumni gathered to enjoy a summer afternoon, to reminisce and remember their WILL experience, and to share what each is doing now and how their respective WILL experiences impacted their lives and has helped them in life.

18. Graduation - On September 3, 2011, WILL members who successfully completed the year and their families gathered at the National Postal Museum to celebrate their accomplishments, their year of new experiences and experiential learning, and to honor their commitment to themselves, each other, and to WILL. WILL graduation is both a joyous and reflective time for everyone.

"The experience I had isn’t so much one thing as it is everything and everyone. It’s opened my eyes that I need to take a chance if I want any possibility of success." —Jon

As noted, each WILL year is a little different. Along with the activities and adventures described above, past events have included special tours of the US Capitol, US Supreme Court (sitting in the front row of the Courtroom), and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 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.

WILL Firsts during 2010-2011 - WILL was honored to have students from KIPP College Prep Public Charter High School participate in and graduate from WILL; and dolphins swam alongside the Karen N., the CBF boat at the Karen Noonan Center, playfully jumping close to the boat and providing amazing first time experiences for all gazing into the eyes of these magnificent mammals.

Some words that the 2010-2011 members used to describe their WILL experience— "incredible, amazing, wonderful, challenging, fun, extraordinary, interesting, “There is no word that describes my experience.”, different, achievement, lucky, change, unique, wacky, different, awesome, adventurous, reborn, exhilarating, wet, challenging"

To view the 2004 - 2005 WILL Retrospective, please click here.

To view the 2005 - 2006 WILL Retrospective, please click here.

To view the 2006 - 2007 WILL Retrospective, please click here.

To view the 2007 - 2008 WILL Retrospective, please click here.

To view the 2008 - 2009 WILL Retrospective, please click here.

To view the 2009 - 2010 WILL Retrospective, please click here.