The week before Spring Break, Bethany high school students participated in Interterm, the program which allows students to spend a week learning about a chosen topic from a range of options. Unlike typical school day classes though, these classes aren’t state-required curriculum. Classes like Things that Fly replaced Chemistry, and Bible class became Perspectives on Creation. English teacher Michael Walker and librarian Kyle Stocksdale collaborated to take kids on a backpacking trip. No brain-busting math, no English essays to procrastinate, no balancing of equations, and best of all, no catch.
The Knobstone Trail backpacking interterm group had a slight change of plans due to the stormy weather around the area. The highly anticipated 30-mile camping excursion over the course of three nights was cut short and relocated. Despite the change of plans, the group had a good time hiking at Chain o Lakes and Pokegan State Park where they cooked meals and enjoyed the beautiful nature.
Interterm is fun and all but Bethany seniors undoubtedly get the best end of the deal. This year, the graduating class of 2022 drove to Gatlinburg, Tennessee where they enjoyed hiking at Smoky Mountain National Park, visiting Dollywood, Anakeesta, and retiring each night to the class chateau, a large 13 bedroom cabin with many favorable amenities such as a large hot tub and game room. Gatlinburg served as a great retreat for the seniors, who raised the money for the trip through their fish fry fundraisers.