Friends of Outdoor school provided the opportunity for me to be a student leader for outdoor school with sixth graders, which was such a great gift to me. As a student leader I gained lots of confidence that I didn't have and came to believe that I am capable of doing great things. Learning to lead, teach, and speak in front of other was something I believed I couldn't do, but outdoor school pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me that I am capable of overcoming these fears. I love the family-like environment of outdoor school, I love the new things I get to learn there every time, I love the friends I make, and I love the accomplishments I come home with which help give me confidence for the years to come. Outdoor school gave me challenges, than helped me step by step accomplish these challenges so that I learn and gain confidence in myself. I have also been very inspired at outdoor school. I am excited to try new volunteer opportunities and have a learning attitude towards the things I do. I continue to volunteer at camps where while I teach and lead other I myself learns many good life lessons. As an art lover I have made a maple leaf out of metal in my jewelry class as a special memory of a time when we were walking back with the sixth graders and staff from field study and the maple leafs were flowing down all around like snow flakes. Than in calligraphy I made a magical art piece containing the words from the Magic Penny song which is the special song we sing at outdoor school, that piece won the first place award for the student calligraphy in the Oregon State Fair. In my case, as a shy Ukrainian girl, my outdoor school experiences made such a positive difference in my life. I carry so many special memories that I have gained there. Everyday I give to others because outdoor school has given me the opportunity to see the reward of living unselfishly. It has also taught me better child management tools which I get to use with my younger siblings. Outdoor school has truly planted a handful of positive seeds in me which are growing day by day benefiting myself as well as others.