Experiential Education

Winterim is the week before spring break when Upper School students participate in immersive, experiential pursuits. Faculty and students develop a diverse offering of courses, varying from international and domestic trips to local exploration, service, and discovering new skills.

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Students and faculty explore our magnificent outdoor resources through a variety of activities that include time spent in the OES woods, team building on the OES Challenge Course, canoe excursions, and overnight class trips. Many of the activities work on trust building, confidence building and team building skills.

Beginning in 3rd grade, every grade level participates in age appropriate overnight trip experiences that range from field study to grade-level themed retreats. Through these experiences, students build cooperation and self-awareness, learn skills, increase knowledge on a wide range of topics, and develop the concept of service to others.

Each month, an outdoor activity is offered to students in Grades 9-12 (at no additional expense). Some of the annual favorites include backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, surfing, and the Halloween Corn Maze.

Led by parent volunteers, students select mini-classes that allow the children to explore interests. Activities vary each year based upon parent involvement. Past activities include baking, knitting, exploring a fire truck, and learning how to cast an arm!