By Doug Berg
Well, this is it. My last issue of Com-mini-cations, my last “Meandering.” I led my last Mini-School big trip to Utah in April, will lead my last Mini-School trip to the BWCA in late May, participated in my last Mini-School parents’ meeting the other night.
As the “lasts” accumulate, it’s time, I guess, to reflect on my 29 years in Mini-School, and “Meandering” is probably the most appropriate forum to do so.
As I mentioned in the last “Meandering,” Mini-School has been a great run for me. It’s been a job that’s energized me, gotten my creative juices flowing, and taught me a tremendous amount about compassion, love and humanitarianism. I am a better person for having taught for 29 years in Mini-School. No question about it. It’s been a perfect fit for me.
Most important, of course, is that in this job I’ve been able to affect and influence kids in a positive way. Since I’ve made public my intention to retire, many people have called and written me to express their thankfulness for what I’ve done. While this is very gratifying, I must stress that my efforts, my contributions are only possible because of the Mini-School concept, a concept that is larger than any one person and that, to a great extent, has a life of its own. I’ve played a part in developing that concept. So has Randy, so have people like Wait Bromenschenkel, Pete Hegrenes, Leo Razidlo, Norm Garneau, Lester Hughes-Seamans, John Eiden, Larry Smith, Joanne, Ramona, Pauline and hundreds of students and parents. Many of these above people have been here and gone, as I will be, but Mini-School will continue and enable good people to contribute to the welfare of kids in a positive way. And that’s what it’s all about.
I’d like to expand on a statement I made in last issue’s “Meandering.” “I leave Mini-School in good hands.” That is really true. I have heard many expressions of concern since I announced my retirement. “Mini-School won’t be the same,” “There won’t be any more trips,” “Mini-School will fold.” These are the main fears I’ve heard.
Mini-School will not fold. The remaining staff is extremely committed and dedicated to providing a continued, excellent alternative program for its students. This will happen. Count on it. Yes, Mini-School will change. It’s bound to. New staff, new ideas, new responsibilities, new expectations will drive these changes. But Mini-School has changed. It’s not the same program Randy and I started in 1970. Yet the basic foundation blocks- that Mini-School is a program that cares about kids, that Mini-School is a program that educates people in a holistic way, that Mini-School promotes a family concept of people caring about people, that Mini-School fosters an attitude of stewardship of the environment- are still in place and as long as they are, Mini-School, however much it changes, will continue to meet the needs of its students.
Trips. Trips have been a great way for me to educate kids, counsel kids, bond with kids, give kids direction. For me, I’ve never found a better learning/teaching environment.
For whomever follows me, trips may or may not work as well. Trips take a tremendous amount of time, a tremendous amount of effort, a great deal of coordination. Trips often put the students and teacher in an environment over which they have little control. Trips can bring about an element of physical risk for the students and teacher, a risk which some teachers may be reluctant to assume. Nevertheless, Mini-School is committed to doing trips, will continue to offer wilderness adventure as a key part of its curriculum, and will seek to hire a teacher who is qualified and comfortable providing wilderness adventure experiences for his/her students. There may be different trips, there may be fewer trips, there may be shorter trips, there may be longer trips- but there will be trips. Count on it.
So, that’s about it. It’s time to go. I’m looking forward to retirement as an adventure, not as a rocking chair, not as a cessation of activity but as an opportunity to pursue new and varied activities. And 29 years of Mini-School have gone a long way toward teaching me this. There’s an old saying that goes “If you really want to learn something, teach it to someone.” Well, my efforts for the last 29 years have gone into teaching kids how to set worthwhile goals, pursue those goals, solve problems, stay focused, keep a good perspective, challenge themselves, have fun, get along with each other and live in the now. Have I learned anything from this? I think so. Thanks to everyone that’s ever been in Mini-School for helping me.
Addendum:
“Meandering” is supposed to be an overview of Mini-School. Since I monopolized this column with my reflections, I thought I’d give an overview in this addendum.
The trips which have gone out this late winter and spring have been superb. I’d be hard pressed in my 29 year Mini-School career to find a more collegial, focused, hard-working group of students than those who accompanied me on the Utah trip. Other trips have gone well too, blending the appropriate amount of physical and academic energy.
Classes have gone extremely well. The kids are working on a great end-of-theyear issue of Com-mini-cations. I must get my assignments done or editors Lacey and Leah will hang me. Randy and Pauline’s newspaper classes are models of excellence.
Ramona is super busy with Independent study and has a record number of kids in the classes. Randy and I expect a big turnout for the summer trips. Recognition night will be better than ever. Mini-School gets better and stronger every year. This one’s great.
Alumni News:
Josh Stinson {94} Just spent a month in Costa Rica and had great adventures.
Terry Smith {late 70’s} Just graduated from the U of MN with a B.A in accounting. He will take the state cpa exam in November. Terry also plans to bike across the U.S, from San Francisco to Portsmouth, N.H, in 52 days in June and July.
Jim Jensen {75} Just got into mountain biking in a big way. JJ also spends a lot of time in the Phillipines and Thailand.
Candy Barclay {88} Is working for Danka Services International as a mail service supervisor. Candy wrote a letter reminiscing about her trips in Mini.
Mike Heuerman {93} Lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He works construction in the summer and skis 6 days a week in the winter.
Larry Smith not an alumni, but former MHS principal still lives in Iowa City and wishes Doug well in retirement.
Sue Ruffenach {81} Just graduated from college with her degree in nursing. Sue came in to talk with Women’s Issues on 5/11/99.
Matt Richard {Meatball} {94} Is on the honor roll at the University of S. Oregon. In fact, Matt’s pulling down straight A’s quarter after quarter in higher math and physics. He’s even tutoring other students in math.
Doug Snyder early 80’s- Doug works for the Star Tribune. He’s married and has 2 boys, 2 year old Luke and a 4 year old Jake. He also has 3 step daughters aged 12, 16, and 18.