The first weekend of school, when all students have arrived to campus, is known as Husky Weekend. Careful planning from the Student Life Office breaks students into a variety of groups, filled with activities meant to develop teamwork, make connections and have fun.
Husky Weekend Shaped by Class Activities
On Saturday of Husky Weekend, all students departed campus with their respective class for a day of activities geared toward relationship-building and goal development with their closest peer group. Working as a class, and in between games, laughter and fun, students considered how their class would help shape the community and what their challenges and goals might be in the year ahead.
Seniors
The school was lucky to have fantastic weather for Husky Weekend and great community partners to share their outdoor spaces. Camp Mayhew is a nearby community partner, a location common to several Service Learning trips, set on an island in Newfound Lake. Seniors boated across the lake to spend the day on the island, taking in the scenery, reflecting, and thinking about how they will spend their final year at New Hampton School. As a camp built for building community and challenging youth, Mayhew also has ropes courses and team-building features that our school was lucky to use.
Juniors
The Junior class took advantage of our proximity to the White Mountains and drove north to Franconia Notch. This group of students hiked Artists Bluff and Bald Mountain, then played on the shores of scenic Echo Lake. They took in great views, enjoyed the challenging hike, and chatted along the trail with classmates and faculty alike.
Sophomores
Camp Mowglis was the destination of the Sophomore class. Mowglis is an all boys camp located on the waterfront in the Lakes Region. Now closed for the summer, Mowglis was the perfect place for this group to spend their day building relationships and making plans for the year ahead. They enjoyed the rustic and picturesque setting, games, conversation and a picnic lunch.
Freshman
The Freshman Orientation trip is in its second year, and continues to be a success. Though they didn’t travel far, spending the night at nearby Burleigh Mountain, the Class of 2022 had a great adventure. Just two miles from our main campus in New Hampton, these students enjoyed all that our 300-acre wilderness property has to offer.
Students adventured on the Alpine Tower, hiked to the very top of Burleigh, played games and roasted marshmallows around the campfire. When they returned to campus, they were brimming with stories, eager for a shower, and well-connected to their peers after a night spent camping. For some students, this was their very first night outside.
We Are One
Though each class had their own activities, before departing they all received their Husky Weekend t-shirts, highlighting the school theme and bonding everyone together. Last spring, students voted on WE ARE ONE, as the theme for the 2018-2019 school year. Displayed prominently on their shirts, and worn by each student on their class trips, the theme and matching shirts proved fun for more than photos; it also provoked thoughtful conversation, and prompted reflection on community goals and interpretations.
In coming months, the theme will continue to evolve. Students will prepare to act upon their goals and ideas with their peer groups. As we departed Husky Weekend, our community felt strong and ready to launch into an exciting year.
