Team Spirit Takes All During Raptor Week

Student Zoe walks her horse partner Gandalf out of the horse barn during a specialized therapy small group session of Hoof Harmony

Partnering with Horses to Learn About Self

April 9, 2024

August 21, 2018

Green Chimneys School students work hard all year long so coming together for a few days of team activities and healthy competition is a great way to close out the summer session.

To mark the official end of the 2017/18 school year, our students celebrated teamwork and sportsmanship with the first ever “Raptor Week.” The school divided into four teams and competed in track & field events, swimming, games, spirit activities and some unusual farm-style events perfectly suited for Green Chimneys’ farm setting. School staff also got involved, captaining the teams and fully participating in sports and spirit activities right alongside the students.

The result was 3 days of MAJOR FUN along with valuable lessons in teamwork and sportsmanship for all. Event highlights included the Cow Patty Toss, Wagon Pull, and the Team Cheer and Dance Off Competition. Teams racked up points for each event and a giant trophy was awarded to the winner: The Blue Team.

Building team spirit – and participation – among students

Raptor Week gets its name from Green Chimneys School’s newly adopted Raptor mascot; ‘Raptors’ also appears on the jerseys of the student football team which debuted this past school year. As a symbol of strength and agility, and representative of Green Chimneys’ renowned wildlife program, the raptor inspires students and staff, alike.

The event was created by Green Chimneys’ dynamic recreation department which is dedicated to meeting general recreational, as well as individual therapeutic needs for students through activities that provide the opportunity for children to develop their social, physical and emotional coping skills. Diverse programs from sports to arts are part of after-school scheduling, and evening and weekend activities for residential students. Recreation staff utilizes the extensive resources on the Green Chimneys campus, and within the community, to develop fun and engaging activities that emphasize participation, respect, responsibility and conflict resolution.

Gyrfalcon

Crowned the best for falconry in medieval times, gyrfalcons were once reserved for kings. As the largest falcon in the world, with exquisite plumage ranging from bright white to deep charcoal, gyrs are revered for their powerful skill of flight. Their long wings make hunting waterfowl from 3,000-feet-high a feasible and fantastical feat. This falcon was flown in the sport of falconry for several years.