Shortly after Commencement, many in the school’s community will embark on this year’s May LEAP (Learn, Engage, Apply, and Perform) opportunities which range from a four-day intensive course introducing the modern circus at the National Circus Training School; studying sustainable tourism, culture, geology and cuisine in coastal Vietnam; geothermal sustainability in Iceland; and other offerings. Northwood School’s LEAP program is designed to enrich students’ academic experiences by providing unique experiential programs that serve to broaden horizons, further academic growth, and provide opportunities otherwise unavailable in a traditional course of academic study. Programming is intended to challenge students’ perspectives and understanding of the world they live in and will someday lead. It is the school’s intention that these programs will serve to open doors to students and their future endeavors.
Here's the listing of this May’s LEAP offerings:
Adirondack Farm to Table & Culinary Experience
• This course will give students the hands-on opportunity to learn about and experience the value of the Farm to Table movement. Students will explore life on a local organic dairy farm and creamery, learn the art of making cheese, cook with professional chefs in a culinary school lab kitchen and restaurant kitchen, learn techniques for preparing delicious wholesome foods with fresh ingredients and appreciate the fruits of their labor in the company of the others in the group.
Students will also visit another local private school to learn about their edible schoolyard and incredible composting system, they will learn about making maple syrup at a local sugarhouse and honey beekeeping through the Adirondack Pollinator Project, and they will enjoy food preparation demonstrations and meals at several local restaurants. The course will culminate with students sharing their newly formed culinary skills with the Northwood School community by preparing and serving a nutritious and tasty meal for other students. Note: no prior cooking experience is required for this course. Bring a good attitude and the desire to have fun, participate, learn and EAT!
Led by Ms. Germaine and Mr. Martinez
The Modern Circus
• This course will focus on the modern circus as a means to study movement, balance, artistry and biomechanics. Students will be taught some of the skills used by modern circus athletes including tightrope walking, trapeze, juggling, acrobatics, trampoline, unicycle, etc. Students must be ready for a physically demanding week with three hours of circus training a day for four days at a National Circus Training School. Some activities will take place high off the ground but with all safety measures in place.
Led by Ms. Wint and Ms. Walker
Coastal Vietnam - Sustainable Tourism, Culture, Geology and Cuisine
• Would you like to travel to spectacular Vietnam for a once in a lifetime adventure? This course will focus on how tourism has shaped modern Vietnam. Throughout the journey, we will explore several coastal cities including Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. Beaches, caves, islands, national parks and Vietnamese cuisine will be some of the highlights as well as an overnight stay in gorgeous Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Come experience the rich culture within this beautiful country.
Led by Ms. Fagan and Mr. Spear
Geothermal Sustainability in Iceland
• Experience first-hand one of the most beautiful places in the world! Exploring glaciers, volcanoes, lava tubes, geothermal pools, geysers, and the rift valley are just a few of the highlights of this course. Students will learn about plate tectonics, climate change and the significance of geothermal activity in Iceland, while using a variety of media to thoroughly document their experience. Students will work and stay at GeoCamp Iceland This is an educational project dedicated to increasing knowledge and understanding of natural sciences with practical and active learning. This is a course for those with a spirit for the natural world!
Led by Ms. Carter and Mrs. Wardlaw
Golf – A Swing Back in Time
• Starting in the late 19th century, the Adirondack Mountains became a popular retreat for wealthy Eastern Seaboard and Canadian families. The game of golf came with them. It was a natural adjunct to the "improving" regime of physical activities pursued by these families, such as hiking, fishing, and canoeing. But it was strictly small-scale. Most of the courses -- 59 were built in the Adirondack Park region between 1890 and 1932, about half of which remain open -- were started as nine-holers. The plan is to learn the history of the 120-year-old courses and play most of the ones still open. Ausable Club, Thendara Golf Club, Cobble Hill Golf Course, Westport Country Club, Lake Placid Club, and the Saranac Inn Golf Course. We will meet and hear a lecture from Peter Martin, author of the definitive "Adirondack Golf Courses ... Past and Present." The golf courses are short and quirky, which should be equally challenging and fun! Must have your OWN set of golf clubs and have experience playing the game.
Led by Mr. Donatello, Mr. Riffle and Mr. Gilligan
Introduction to Woodworking (using hand tools)
• Have you ever wondered how the wonderful antiques you see in museums or perhaps in your grandparents’ homes were made? If you have, you probably know that they were built without the benefit of today’s machinery. This course is a hands-on learning experience using the tools of the past. Students will use planes, hand saws, chisels and squares to build a candlebox (about 10” wide, 6”deep and 5”high) with a hinged lid and a foot stool with four legs. Students will make hand-cut dovetails and install an inset hinge. Students will make a free standing simple mortise and tenon joint. Dovetails and mortise and tenon joints are the foundation of traditional furniture. Also important are the woods you will be exposed to—pine, maple, cherry and walnut. One week of working with wood may be your first step on a journey as a maker of tables, chairs, dressers, clocks and more.
Led by Mr. Weaver, Mr. Martin and Mr. Green ‘55
Kayaking from Lake Champlain to Lake George
• This course is an introductory class in sea kayaking. Reflective journaling will be embedded into the daily activities to deepen the learning experience. Students will learn the skills needed to maneuver safely and comfortably on open water. Course topics include the history of sea kayaking, kayak and paddle designs, paddling techniques, water hazards, attire to paddle safely, basic open water navigation, and simple rescues. The on-water component will consist of paddling the length of Lake Champlain and Lake George within the LEAP weeklong timeframe. These sessions will provide students with opportunities to observe, discuss, and develop basic sea kayaking and outdoor living skills while critically thinking about the challenges inherent in safely paddling and navigating a sea kayak on open water. These experiences will also provide students with opportunities to develop relevant decision-making skills and judgment as leaders-intraining. Leave No Trace (LNT) Practices will be a focus of the outdoor camping component. *No prior paddling or camping experience needed.
Led by Mr. O’Connor and Ms. Carmichael
Mountain Rescue
• This week-long training session culminates with a student-led, hands-on rescue scenario. It will not be a rock-climbing experience. Instead, it will attempt to duplicate real-life methods of professional rope rescuers. Participants may or may not have previous experience – it won't make any difference to this project. Each day will add another layer to the necessary skills set –from basic rope work to lowering and raising systems to first aid and litter packaging. Day five will be the culmination: a real rescue in technical terrain, run by students.
Led by Mr. Mellor and Mr. Runyon
Muskie Madness
• Set forth on an adventure to hunt for muskie, the top predator fish in the Northeast! Base Camp will be set in Canton, NY and surrounding communities in St. Lawrence County. The course will entail days on the Grasse and Little River hunting for giant Muskellunge. Students will learn the skills and techniques required to catch one of these razor sharp tooth giants. Casting will be done from canoes, an all Muskies caught will be returned to the river unharmed. Throughout the week we will be learning the history of the fish of 10,000 casts. Nights will be spent camping along the river, cooking food over an open fire, and reflecting on experiences from earlier that day. A professional Muskie guide and fisherman will join for part of the week. This guide will provide us the opportunity to ask questions and encourage conversation. The week will close out with a family dinner and pool party (weather permitting) at Mr. Durocher’s family home. Impromptu pickleball tournaments are encouraged. If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure and fun LEAP week, please come join us on the muskie madness fishing trip!
Led by Mr. Durocher and Mr. Felhaber
Nutrition and Athletic Performance
• You are what you eat - If you are looking for ways to improve your athletic performance through better nutrition, this course is made for you. Join registered dietitian nutritionist, Hannah Feinberg ‘13 and Olympic medalist, Andrea Burke, to understand how nutrition affects athletic performance. Throughout the week, students will develop a foundational knowledge of nutritional science and understand how it applies to sport performance. Through the Aeroscan® test, you will see your exact numbers on fat and carbohydrate burn during exercising, and you will learn to use those numbers for efficient and effective training. You will learn about critical nutrition components for overall health, which is the foundation for athletic performance, in addition to your body's physiological processes to better understand the need for proper nutrition. To understand the integration of nutrition and exercise, over the course of the week you will: develop a foundational knowledge of nutritional science; understand the application of nutritional science in sport performance; assess individual fueling and hydration needs before, during, and after exercise.
Led by Ms. Odell and Mr. Biesemeyer
Explore the Adirondacks
• Scramble up an Adirondack slide, boat to a wilderness campsite and spend the night, rock climb, zip line, and take a scenic flight around the park to check out all the places you just explored. This course will have a cross-section of outdoor activities offered in the Adirondacks. The exact itinerary and activities will be largely driven by student interest and desires in the pre-trip planning process. The course will provide students with a better sense of the Park’s many user groups and what drives the land use and local decision-making processes while being chockfull of adventure every day.
Led by: Mr. Emery and Smokey the Bear
Canines – Understanding Man’s Best Friend
• This course will give students the hands-on opportunity to learn in depth about dog training. Participants will spend a week learning the tricks of the trade from Kristian Hammermueller, owner/founder and lead trainer of Miracle Dog. Our dog trainers in training will be paired with faculty dogs for the week and will train and take care of them. Throughout the week our trainees will also get an in depth look at how to train service dogs, play with the local puppy play group, visit the local animal shelter, learn about pet nutrition, breeding, genetics, and general care, as well as host a Pup Trot fundraiser in support of our local animal shelter. The week will end with a Dog Show where we will crown the week’s “Best Dog”, followed by Dog Training Graduation.
Led by Mrs. Riffle and Mr. Mallaro
Board Game Design
• In this epic new LEAP offering, students will spend an intensive week at Northwood School’s Innovation Hub designing, playtesting, and iterating on an original game of their making. Leading up to the LEAP week, participants will take an online course called, “Board Game Design 101,” and will explore various types of board games. Participants will learn about game mechanics, world building, user experience design, character design, and more. During the intensive LEAP week at the Hub, students will be focused on transforming their game design concept into a game design prototype. Participants will create the game board, rules booklet, and/or card decks with an easy-to-use graphic design software and poster printer and will design and print their game pieces using the 3D printer and/or muse laser cutter. The week will wrap up with playtesting the new games and discussing ways to position, pitch, and publish a game. No experience or art/design skills necessary, open to all levels.
Led by Ms. Prime and Mr. LeBlanc