Big and Little Cygnets Build Confidence, Connection, and Sisterhood

For many students, Fall Flight is an exciting introduction to a new school year. For others, especially those attending their first overnight camp away from home, it can be accompanied by understandable feelings of nervousness.

After three years of building the Fall Flight program, the Middle School Leadership Team wanted to explore ways to enrich the camp experience for younger students. Their solution was the Big and Little Cygnets Leadership program, which pairs younger students with Upper School mentors. Together, big and little Cygnets were empowered to develop their leadership styles, learn new skills, and have personal growth.

“We really wanted to think about how we could leverage the connection with our Upper School students, and the expertise, wisdom, and experiences they’ve already been part of,” said Director of Middle School Janine Franklin.

Recognizing that younger students naturally look up to older peers, the school introduced an application process last spring for students in Grades 10 and 11 interested in becoming Big Cygnets. Applicants reflected on their motivations for participating and the leadership qualities they hoped to bring to the role. Sixteen students were ultimately selected and divided into two groups to support campers over the two days of Fall Flight, on Sept. 9 and 10 at a camp in the Muskoka region.

Their impact was immediate. Big Cygnets brought enthusiasm and reassurance to camp, helping younger students embrace new experiences with confidence. They provided daily and overnight assistance, offered comfort when homesickness arose, and made sure all the items they had brought to camp were packed in their bags to take home.

To fully embrace Middle School camp, mentors took time to participate in activities such as sailing and silk-screening with other mentors or with Middle School students. They also brought their performance skills to the talent show, dressed from head to toe in cowboy attire. When the entire camp enthusiastically joined them in song, it reminded mentors of how much fun Middle School camp was when they were younger.

The experience proved valuable for the mentors as well. After Fall Flight, participating students were asked to give feedback on their experience, whether positive or negative, as well as ways to improve the program and what they learned about themselves. Many identified patience, adaptability, and relationship-building as key lessons, discovering that leadership is not about authority but about creating trust and helping others feel comfortable and supported.

Grade 11 student, Noelle, found the experience particularly meaningful. “I had a great time at Middle School camp because I made better connections with the younger students, met all the new students, and got to learn more about my leadership style and how to communicate and interact with kids of all ages.”

The Grades 5 and 6 students also gained newfound confidence. The bonds they created with the 16 Upper School students have followed them into the hallways of Dunin House, where they greet their mentors when they pass by or go straight in for a hug. They also feel more confident knowing they have an older student who can advocate for them or talk with them about their day.

While the camp itself lasted only a few days, the connections it created have strengthened the school’s culture of sisterhood. The Big and Little Cygnets programming is also woven into advisory time and school life, helping establish more cross-grade relationships.

What began as a way to ease first-day nervousness has shaped into a powerful student experience of developing authentic and compassionate partnerships. Through these continued interactions, students of all ages have gained the value of patience, empathy, and resilience, and have been able to come together to problem-solve efficiently.