Project Week offers a tapestry of transformative experiences, each weaving its unique thread into the fabric of students’ educational journey. This year we witnessed many groups defining ways to live life, to embrace survival skills, to thrive in the face of unfamiliar environments, and broaden their perspectives on culture, history, arts, communities, and nature. Here are three examples that showcase the diversity and impact of our projects.
Global Perspectives: Peru Service Adventure
Essential Question: What resources does a community mobilize within itself to address its vulnerabilities and thrive?
Our intrepid travelers made one of the longest journeys to experience one of the most distinctively different cultures in our offerings this year. Embracing service-learning, their goals included working alongside members of the Calca community. Through working with their partner, Global Works, in community development service initiatives, students sought to determine their own sense of purpose, cultivate curiosity about the world, learn how to make a difference in the community and gain a broader perspective on life.
In addition to meeting local wildlife like llamas, alpacas, huanacos, and condors, the team embraced many local experiences from dining to stepping into the workshops of local artisans to learn about their processes.From Lima to Cusco to Culca, each step of the adventure supplied new opportunities to learn and engage in the Peruvian way of life. While the group is still blogging and finishing up their week, we look forward to hearing about their service work at the Project Week Symposium.
Agricultural Explorations: How to Run a Montana Cattle Ranch within a Cheyenne Reservation
Essential Question: What are the daily tasks and long-term goals needed in order to run a successful and authentic cattle ranch, anyhow can these businesses aligned with nearby present-day indigenous cultures?
With the help of New Hampton School alumna Casey Simkunas, who owns and runs a 6,000-acre ranch in the breathtaking mountains of Montana, our Huskies embraced the opportunity to learn about the agricultural industry and the connection to the Northern Cheyenne culture and history. They sought to have first-hand experience about what it takes to run a ranch by helping to feed and care for animals such as cows, horses, alpacas, pigs, quail, turkeys, and goats. Offsite from the ranch, they also visited a college on the reservation to learn about the Northern Cheyenne culture, language, customs, ceremonies, and much more.
Self Discovery and Mindfulness: Inner Retreat
Essential Question: What happens when we turn down the noise from the outside world and retreat inward? What do we discover about our relationships with ourselves and others?
This near-campus experience charged students with the purpose to renew their minds, bodies, and spirits by immersing themselves in rituals of daily life. Through creating nourishing meals together, exploring the extensive natural beauty of their home for the week, staying active through skiing and hiking, partaking in private lessons in yoga and mindfulness, and welcoming expert guest speakers and instructors, Huskies aimed to improve their ability to find and savor daily moments of retreat and renewal. The group also traveled to the Brain Health Lab at Boston College to learn even more about the importance and benefits of taking care of our bodies and minds. By the end of the week, their findings of their connections to themselves and others will be found through careful reflection.
Beyond Boundaries, Beyond Borders
At New Hampton School, Project Week is more than just a week-long excursion—it’s a catalyst for growth, discovery, and transformation. By embracing experiential learning and venturing beyond the confines of traditional classrooms, students embark on a journey of self-discovery, forging connections, and shaping their perspectives in ways that transcend academic boundaries.
Here’s why experiential learning lies at the heart of our educational approach:
- Through immersive projects, students move beyond abstract concepts, gaining practical insights and real-world skills. Whether exploring marine ecosystems, delving into historical sites, or collaborating on community service initiatives, students deepen their understanding by actively engaging with the subject.
- Project Week brings together students from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration and teamwork. Working alongside peers and faculty mentors, students learn to communicate effectively, navigate challenges, and leverage collective strengths to achieve common goals—a vital skill set for success in today’s interconnected world.
- Stepping outside the familiar confines of campus empowers students to embrace independence and self-reliance. From navigating unfamiliar environments to problem-solving in real-time, Project Week equips students with the confidence and resilience to thrive in unfamiliar situations—a priceless asset in an ever-evolving global landscape.
Some of the most profound learning often occurs beyond the confines of textbooks and lectures. With Project Week, we open doors to boundless possibilities, empowering students to explore, innovate, and thrive in a world brimming with opportunity.
