Nearly 300 students from Eastern Guilford Middle School visited campus on Jan. 17.
Elon University hosted a field trip for eighth-grade students from Eastern Guilford Middle School on Jan. 17 to familiarize students with college life and broaden their horizons. Nearly 300 students braved frigid temperatures to explore Elon’s campus. Despite the close proximity of Eastern Guilford to Elon, many students had not yet visited the campus, making this excursion a valuable experience.
The field trip was planned and facilitated by Senior Lecturer Erin Hone in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education with 19 Elon student volunteers serving as guides. These student leaders, predominantly majoring in education or minoring in outdoor leadership education, welcomed individual groups of eighth-graders, each consisting of approximately 20-25 students.
Under the coordination of Hone and the Elon student leaders, rotation schedules were planned for each group. The schedules featured a campus tour, providing insights into key locations and aspects of college life. Students also engaged in a team-building activity, fostering collaboration and problem-solving skills. The day concluded with lunch in Lakeside and McEwen dining halls, creating opportunities for the eighth-graders to further interact with various facets of college life.
This inaugural immersive experience aimed to inspire curiosity and excitement about the college journey, potentially influencing the future paths of these soon-to-be high school students. The experience was partially funded by the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, Admissions and the President’s Office.
