THE WISHING TREE

What is the Wishing Tree?

At the Wishing Tree, students can hang up wishes, hopes, and intentions for themselves, their community, and the world. Amidst turmoil worldwide and nationally, this place is meant to serve as a safe and meditative space for students. Wishing Trees are around the world! I was inspired by the beautiful wishing tree in Capitol Hill, Seattle, but I even recently saw a wishing tree in Mexico!

How did the Wishing Tree at IslandWood come about?

A former grad student, Cathy Huang and I started the Wishing Tree at IslandWood in 2023 because we wanted students to have a dedicated safe space to express any concerns or wishes they had for themselves or the world. We wanted to create a student-centered space where they could process their feelings and, in some cases, even think about actions to make their wishes come true.

How do your students experience the Wishing Tree?

I love using the Wishing Tree at different moments with my group. It can be a nice grounding space for the beginning of the week as instructors create a community agreement with their groups. Or it can be a powerful tool for a night hike. As the group journeys behind the Art Studio in the darkness, students observe the cedar trees lit up with twinkling lights, illuminating the wishes. Perhaps the time I visit the tree the most with my students is the last day of the School Overnight Program. I tell the story of the Wishing Tree, and the students share a wish they have for the world and an action they’d like to take in their community.

What did you observe about the students’ experience?

There are a variety of types of wishes at the Wishing Tree. Of course, on occasion, we get the honest 5th grade response of “I wish for a lot of money and video games,” but far more often we see students writing “I wish for people to take better care of the earth.” The wishes that bring me to tears are the really deep and personal wishes – the “I hope my parents stop fighting,” and “I hope my grandpa gets better soon” wishes. Students are never forced to share anything out loud, but this place gives students who do feel an urge to share a place and structure to do so. Behind the blue sharpie scribble, you can really understand what kids are thinking about. It brings me immense appreciation to know that the wishing tree can be a safe space for students to share.