Grade 10 Trench Exercise Teaches Realities of War

We experienced three stations on the first day, the first being the creation of the trench. This involved using all your strength to shovel dirt into bags that would eventually be added to the top of the trench to build a wall. This was a brutally strength-based activity, and eventually we got the hang of using strategy to our advantage. The end goal was ultimately achieved by working together. One person with a pickaxe to loosen dirt, the other shoveling, and someone holding the bag. You could say that our trench simulation was at times comical. What was not comical was how invested the students were, including myself (Adhya). After having a pickaxe lesson with Mr. Downer, I discovered that using a pickaxe is one of the most satisfying things ever. We were exposed to various other challenges, including simply trying to stay alive. Eating our hard tack and sharing the experience of baking also brought a newfound sense of community to our class. 

The second station taught us about the importance of utilizing supplies and communication. During this time, they of course did not have access to smartphones, but they did have homing pigeons to deliver messages as pigeons were less of a target than people. In this station we also experienced how to extract a soldier from the battlefield. Volunteers got the opportunity to be carried off the field on a stretcher, and we learned about the importance of choices. You could risk six people’s lives for one person or get the less severely injured people out quicker. Our group picked the lightest and smallest person to be carried out first before Mr. Downer came in and told us to swap out for the tallest person. 

Lastly, we went to the third station. This station taught us about the significance of well- developed plans and logistical decision making. We talked about potential tactics to take over the enemy trench. This involved discussing the weapons that we would have access to at that time. This conversation included talking about the use of snipers in war. 

The second day was the actual battle simulation. We had to put everything we had learned to the test to see how successful we would be. Win or lose, this was an educational and memorable experience that taught the importance of teamwork. As this was a simulation, we had our cellphones on us to videotape this memorable experience. I (Claire) learned that I might enjoy a future career as a videographer or documentary filmmaker. 

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