Winterim

We spend 5 days and 4 nights exploring Death Valley National Park by road bike and by foot. This is an introductory cycling tour that includes an easy pace, but will require some training. We are partnering with Escape Adventures who will be following us with a van for support and setting up our camp nightly.

Leaders: Stephanie Portman and Joshua Caditz
Dates: March 10–11 On Campus, March 13–17 On Bike Trip
Enrollment: 8-10 Students
Cost: $1750

One of the best ways to enjoy winter and find solitude in the Pacific Northwest is to go Cross Country Skiing. This course is designed to give you the skills to become a competent Cross Country Skier. The first two days will be spent doing day trips to nearby groomed and ungroomed cross country ski areas near Portland where you can practice your “kick and glide” technique. Sunday you will prepare on campus for the hut to hut traverse. Monday, you will travel to Sisters, Oregon where local accommodations will be provided and dinner out on the town before you head into the backcountry. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will take you on a four day/three night hut to hut traverse in the Three Sisters Backcountry. This experience gives you the opportunity to see the awesome splendor of the Three Sisters Wilderness during the winter, and without having to carry a huge backpack since these huts are outfitted with bedding, stoves and even some food! Friday, upon completion of this adventure, you will travel back to OES to return by late afternoon. Long time OES Outdoor Program Instructor and Backcountry Ski Specialist Matt Bedrin and OES French teach Katrina Perry will be the adult leaders on this experience. This trip includes ski and equipment rental, all lodging (including backcountry huts), meals, and transportation. Beginners and experienced cross country skiers are welcome.

Leaders: Katrina Perry
Dates: March 10 On Campus, March 11 Practice on Mt. Hood, March 13 On Campus Packing, March 14 Travel to Sisters, OR, March15–18 Hut to Hut Ski Traverse
Enrollment: 6-8 Students
Cost: $1400

We will spend four days on the lakes and trails of the Boundary Waters, driving two-person sleds with a team of four to five Inuit dogs each. Experienced guides will provide hands-on training on the first day, and then you will handle your own team of dogs, including feeding and harnessing them every morning. We will stay in lakeside lodges each night (with an option to camp outside one night!).

Leaders: Bettina Gregg and Liz Weiler
Dates: March 10–16, 2022
Enrollment: 8-12 Students
Cost: $1800

Join us for a one week discovery of Puerto Rico across multiple disciplines: language history, culture (music, food, dance), Marine Biology, along with engaging with local communities in hurricane relief efforts. Through these activities students will: develop their abilities to think creatively and critically, as well as grow in their understanding of issues pertaining to equity, cultural perspectives and social responsibility.

Leaders: Carmen Boyle, Maria McIvor, and Dana Mosher Lewis
Dates: March 10–16, 2022
Enrollment: 10-14 Students
Cost: $3800

An exploration of the North Kohala Coast on the big island of Hawaii. This will be an indepth look at the hawaiian history and their connections to the natural world (both land and sea). Multiple snorkelling and wave catching opportunites (requres a pretrip swim test, TBD) . Exploring the sunshine coast north of Kona on foot, by sail, in kayak, and by car. Cooking and cleaning and living as a small community with housing in the upcountry town of Waimea. Daily engagement with the local communities guided by local hawaiian instructors (kumus) David Giff, and Kumu Kuwalu.

Leaders: Nick Slenning, Missy Smith, and Tom Handel
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 12 Students
Cost: $2000

We willl spend the week exploring the beautiful and unique area of Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding area. The first two days of the course will be spent doing spectacular day hkes in a remote area of the park with a local backpacking guide. We will then spend a day doing a service project in partnership with the national park rangers, before spending the next two days rock climbing with two professional climbing guides in one of the most iconic rock climbing destinations in the world! We spend our last day on a custom made park ranger led interpretive hike exploring the natural history, native people/history, and the flora/fauna of this unique desert landscape. All nights will be spent car camping at camp sites in and close to the national park. The last night of the course will be spent in a private artist inspired local home before flying back to Portland the next day.

Leaders: Kara Tambellini and Ed Cecere
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 8-9 Students
Cost: $1400

Train travel as mode of transportation, collaborative living in house, skiing in a variety of terrains with a variety of colleagues. It is all about EXPLORE - new locations, new skills, new social interactions in a shared house, adventure.

Leaders: Rob Orr and Coleen Davis
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 10-12 Students
Cost: $1450 (Plus rental equipment if needed)

Revive your mind, body, and soul by immersing yourself in the food, music, and history of one of America’s greatest cities: New Orleans. Not only will we experience the amazing live music and world-class food of New Orleans, but we will also visit important cultural and historical sites throughout the city. In addition, we will do community service with a local group, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans (YRNO). Finally, we will take part in cooking classes, museum visits, and walking tours of New Orleans, including a college visit at Tulane University. So join us to experience the invigorating spirit of the Big Easy!

Leaders: Andy O'Hara and Robin O'Hara
Dates: March 9–16, 2022
Enrollment: 10-12 Students
Cost: $1650

We return to the magnificent Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument for an intensive exploration of seldom seen terrain. We’ll hike and camp into and out of the Escalante River Canyons—some of the most beautiful red rock wilderness in the U.S. Listen for owls at dawn! Scramble mid-canyon arches and natural bridges! Learn to get water from potholes! Sit in awe above vast vistas of endless sandstone domes and spires! Guided by long time OES partner and Utah wilderness expert Doug Ironside.

Leaders: Jason Henkle and Paige Witte
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 7-9 Students
Cost: $1400

An introduction to outdoor life and camping while exploring the many beautiful areas of Southeast Utah. Each day will be filled with day hikes exploring a differnet area of the newly restored Bears Ears National Monumnet, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park while nights will be spent car caming at multiple amazing campsites. Join this road trip for car camping and day hiking to explore the canyons, petroglyphs, and surprising flora that Utah has to offer! See expansive sunsets, observe the desert creatures, and learn about the indigenous people who lived in the area for thousands of years. This will be an adventure not to be missed. This is a front-country trip.

Leaders: Lindsey Zanchettin
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 7-9 Students
Cost: $1400

One of the best ways to enjoy winter and find solitude and fun in the Pacific Northwest is to go backcountry skiing or snowboarding. This course is designed to give you a taste of backcountry life and start a possibly lifelong pursuit of backcountry skiing and/or snowboarding. This course is recommended for students who are already competent skiers or snowboarders. The first day of Winterim will be spent on campus learning about the backcountry ski trip location in the Wallowa Whitman National Forest, preparing all the food and gear needed for this trip, checking for proper clothing and learning about how we manage the risks associated with backcountry skiing and snowboarding. The second day, Friday, we will pick up the rented (if you don’t already own your own) skis or snowboard, boots, climbing skins, probes, beacons and shovels and head up to Mt. Hood to try the gear out on the slopes next to one of the ski resorts (tbd). On Saturday we will drive a full day out to the southwest corner of the Wallowas mountain range just 20 miles outside of Bakers City, Or which is situated in the northeast corner of our state. We will spend Saturday night at White Fir Retreat. The next morning we get towed by snowmobile 8 miles to our trailhead and ski approximately 2 miles into our own private hut system with a full kitchen yurt, two wall tents with stoves and beds. You’ll get to experience the awesome splendor of the Wallowa Mountains of eastern Oregon during the winter without having to carry a huge backpack, since these huts are outfitted with bedding and stoves. We will spend four nights at these same huts and travel out each day to explore and find slopes that are suitable to ride. On Thursday morning we’ll leave the splendor of the wilderness and ski back to our vehicles at White Fir Retreat, where we can shower before we make the 5 hour drive back to OES by early evening. This trip includes instructors, food, avalanche equipment rental, all lodging (including backcountry huts), meals, and transportation. It does not include backcountry skis or split board rental (however we have a discounted deal at The Mountain Shop).

Leaders: Autumn Apperson and David Rosenberg
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 7-9 Students
Cost: $1400

Students will engage Asian cultures through all of their senses. In addition to an appreciation for how diverse cultures are expressed through food, students will develop an understanding of how written and visual culture communicate in distinctive ways. We will visit significant local sites for Asian communities and interact with community members. Our goal is to cultivate a curiosity for future learning about Asian culture.

Leaders: VJ Sathyaraj and Christopher Miller
Dates: March 10–17, 2022 (Not including the weekend)
Enrollment: 5-15 Students
Cost: $60

In this Winterim, we propose several activities related to using Computer Science to positively impact the nearby community. Possible activities include teaching/introducing coding to students at a nearby Middle School; building a website to make the materials we use available to the public; reaching out to local NGOs and NPOs to offer data analysis and/or coding solutions; mini-courses on Computer Science that would not typically be encountered in the OES curriculum; guest speaker from (or field trip to) a nearby college, university, or corporation.

Leaders:  Greg Drugan and Taposhi Biswas
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 4-12 Students
Cost: Free

The OES Discovery program is a five-day, 40-hour apprenticeship or career exploration open to OES 10th, 11th, 12th graders. Discovery is a guided process through which the student creates his/her own program to pursue special passions and interests. Discovery gives students a chance to experience the demands and structure of the “working world.” Students who are interested in participating in Discovery this year already have pre-enrolled in the course.

Leaders: Dana Mosher Lewis
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 3-6 Students
Cost: Free

This Winterim will explore the foundations of mindfulness, its history in a variety of religious traditions, and the health and psychological benefits of consistent practice. Students should enter with open hearts and minds to experiment with a variety of mindfulness practices that can be implemented in our everyday lives beyond Winterim.

Leaders: Austin Pritchard and Katie Seltzer
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 6-12 Students
Cost: Free

In this course, we will be exploring fermentation and looking for what makes a good fermentation. What does it mean to have a successful fermentation? What is the history of fermented foods? What elements are involved in fermentation, and what roles do they play? The course will include hands-on experiences of making your own fermented food, trips to visit experts at their own "fermentation stations," as well as workshops and labs to explore different fermentations.

Leaders: Shahd Al-Jawhari and Tanja Horvat
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 5-12 Students
Cost: Free

Students will take a deep dive into the wide and wonderful world of horses through riding and caring for horses, visiting local therapeutic riding centers, and an overnight trip to central Oregon to learn about prehistoric and wild horses.

Leaders: Erika Jelinek and Miki Darby
Dates: March 10–17, 2022 (Not including the weekend)
Enrollment: 6-8 Students
Cost: $450

In this "writing workshop" style course, students will examine Humans of New York pictures and Humans of New York stories to analyze their own assumptions and biases. Then, students will interview a member of their community and write a story in the style of Humans of New York. Students will tell the stories of everyday humans in our own communities (people they know or people they want to know better) while also practicing interview skills, a combination of explanatory and narrative writing, and critical literacy. This course helps students navigate an increasingly unequal world through examining whose stories and which stories are commonly ignored.

Leaders: Nathalie Michiels
Dates: March 10–17, 2022 (Not including the weekend)
Enrollment: 10-14 Students
Cost: Free

Have you always dreamed of going back to your 1st grade classroom? Thinking about being a teacher someday? Here is your opportunity to explore those dreams and return to the Lower School for the Lower School Internship program. You will be spending time with our young OESians, helping them out in the classroom or other activities, such as P.E., science or art. You will be able to choose the age group and specialty. These children will know and love you forever!

Leaders: Peter Buonincontro
Dates: March 10–17, 2022 (Not including the weekend)
Enrollment: 4-12 Students
Cost: Free

Much like the Oxford Inklings of old (Tolkein, Lewis, Williams, etc), Students will create and explore fantastic realms of their own making, and spend time at the end of each day (ideally in armchairs, sipping "Butterbeer" and eating "Lembas bread" and Turkish delight) presenting and discussing one anothers' works.

Leaders: Julie Sikkink and Peter Kimball
Dates: March 10–17, 2022 (Not including the weekend)
Enrollment: 4-12 Students
Cost: Free

"Being a Washington County Outdoor School Counselor is one of the most fun, inspiring and rewarding experiences you can ever have! As a counselor, you will learn valuable leadership and teaching skills. You’ll learn how to lead interactive, hands-on outdoor activities with small groups of sixth-graders that are simple and fun. You’ll also get to work with many great students from other high schools, some of whom could become lifelong friends. As an Outdoor School counselor you’ll gain valuable volunteer experience that looks great on college and job applications. You can earn transferable college credit, and complete one of your OES service learning projects too! And, most of all, you will change the lives of elementary school students, often in ways that you'll never know. "

Leaders: Outdoor School Staff
Dates: March 14–18, 2022
Enrollment: 4-14 Students
Cost: Free

In this course, students will have the time to read and write due to their inner desire to do so. Thus we will be free to become spontaneous, bold, and inventive writers, to enjoy the writing process, to see that there are ideas to write about everywhere, to share our writing and listen to others’ writing and to have time to read what we want. We may even have a chance to visit with a local writer and/or attend a reading at Powell’s bookstore! We will visit Portland’s favorite places such as the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, WaterFront and use our observations as a subject to write about. We hope to together create lesson plans and implement them in a Lower School classroom or two.

Leaders: Gowri Meda and Debby Schauffler
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 6-12 Students
Cost: Free

"This Winterim course is a dive into how people of the Columbia River Basin are provided a real treasure, Fish. Fishing is an essential part of livelihood for generations that live in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and beyond. Humans travel to this area to fish and harvest the waters of the PNW treasures. The history goes back 15,000 years… and if you are the Salmon or other ancient species of fish for 6 million years! Since you live here in the PNW now, it is time to recognize your connection to the waters and the fish that live and travel to them. This experience aims to develop an understanding of fishing from the perspective of the fish and from the people that have fished and still fish these waters. It sheds light on how we as humans are changing the environment that fish live in and how we need these keystone species to survive and thrive. *Fly fishing, Spin casting, Tenkara Fly fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Oyster Catching, are some of the methods we may try. "

Leaders: Michael Standley
Dates: March 10–17, 2022 (Not including the weekend)
Enrollment: 4-6 Students
Cost: $450

In partnership with local queer and BIPOC owned skateshop, Five Strides, and skate instructor Leola Davis, this course focuses on learning the history of roller skating with a focus on black culture and roller skating. Students will spend part of their winterim exploring and learning this history through written accounts, documentaries/movies, and reflections. They will then spend part of their winterim learning the skills of roller skating and meeting some of the roller skating community in Portland. Skate lessons will be taught by Leola and explore the skate hangs around Portland. In collaboration with Five Stride students will also develop and partake in a community engagement portion that meets the needs of the skate community.

Leaders: Maego Powers and Josina Reaves
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 4-12 Students
Cost: Free

In this course we will explore the circus arts: aerial silks, trapeze, lyra, acrobatics and juggling. The mornings will be spent working with Echo Theater Company in Southeast Portland, and the afternoons will be on the OES campus crafting our performance and learning about contemporary circus performances. We will set personal goals, learn about the different aspects of a contemporary circus and how a show comes together, and create a short performance of the skills we’ve learned through the week.

Leaders: Maggie Gilbride and Clare Odom
Dates: March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 8-12 students
Cost: $450

Want to play some fun and exciting board games that you’ve never heard of before? Expanding on the simple mechanics of classic family games, modern tabletop games are much more complex and thematic. They immerse you into the world of Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, knights of the round table, space ships, or even the wild west. After building a level of competence and discovering the game mechanics you enjoy most, the goal of this course will be to combine your favorite features and design your own game.

Leaders: Gabe Edge and C.T. Henry
Dates:  March 10–17, 2022
Enrollment: 6-14 students
Cost: Free

This course will be a week-long immersion into World War II. You will learn how this global war engulfed Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Western Pacific. You will learn how fascism and militarism became acceptable in the 1930's and then almost unstoppable. We will study both battles and the impact on civilians in this war that left no one unchanged. We will look at how Portland's shipbuilding industry became part of the "arsenal of democracy" and irrevocably changed Portland's racial makeup in the process. We will also learn how Portland succumbed to racist anti-Japanese American hysteria. We will visit Portland's Holocaust memorial and meet with a survivor. We will study African Americans' Double V Campaign against fascism overseas and racism at home that would be the kindling for the Civil Rights Movement. Through classroom discussion, movies, music, and local field trips we will immerse ourselves in the cataclysmic event of the 20th Century that reverberates today.

Leaders: Rebecca Williams
Dates: March 10–11 and 14-17, 2022
Enrollment: 7-12 Students
Cost: $60