Morse High School in Bath, Maine, has introduced an innovative approach to student detention by offering supervised hikes as an alternative to traditional confinement. This initiative, launched in October 2024, allows students to engage with nature while reflecting on their behavior, thereby transforming disciplinary measures into a more constructive experience.
The hikes, which cover distances between 2 and 4 miles, take students along the nearby Whiskeag Trail. This initiative aims to provide a setting that promotes mental and emotional well-being, according to Leslie Trundy, a school counselor who has been instrumental in the program’s development. Trundy has organized a total of 19 hikes across various seasons, ensuring that students have appropriate gear, such as ponchos for rain and warm clothing for colder weather.
Trundy emphasized the importance of changing the environment in which students reflect on their actions. “Sometimes it is hard for kids to be in school and in the confined space of it,” she stated. “By taking a detention hike, it gives them a different setting to have some reflection and build a connection with a trusted adult.”
Students have responded positively to this new option. Many prefer the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors instead of being confined to a classroom for one or more hours. Notably, other students can also join the hikes, even without having received detention, creating an inclusive atmosphere for those who appreciate nature.
On October 16, high school juniors Nevaeh Clarke and Zeke Partridge participated in a detention hike. Both expressed a preference for the outdoor experience over traditional detention. “I personally just like the parts where there’s a long stretch because you can run along and then run back to the group,” Partridge shared. He finds the freedom of running in nature refreshing and a welcome break from the confines of online gaming.
During the hikes, students traverse scenic paths that include a visit to the Oak Grove Cemetery and opportunities to observe local wildlife. This outdoor experience has also fostered social connections among participants. Partridge noted a positive interaction with a friend of his brother, revealing that their previous disagreements had faded away after spending time together on the trail.
The inspiration for these detention hikes stemmed from Trundy’s attendance at the Teens to Trails Outdoor Leadership conference for Outing Club advisors in September 2024. A presentation on the benefits of spending time outdoors sparked her interest in developing a similar program at Morse High School. “I just got really thinking about two hours and opportunities to bring it back to Morse,” Trundy explained.
Since implementing the program, the school has seen a doubling in membership for its Outing Club, highlighting the positive impact of outdoor activities on student engagement. Partridge remarked on the importance of being treated with respect as high school students, rather than being treated like children.
As Morse High School continues to innovate its approach to student discipline, the hiking program offers a unique blend of reflection, physical activity, and social interaction that benefits students both mentally and emotionally. This initiative serves as a model for other educational institutions seeking to enhance their disciplinary practices while fostering a deeper connection with nature.
