We were delighted to recently welcome Friends Seminary’s fourth grade for a three-day outdoor education experience here at the Ashokan Center. Their visit—beautifully captured in words and photos on the school’s Instagram account—reflects everything we aim to offer young people: curiosity, confidence, community, and a deeper relationship with the natural world.

According to Friends Seminary, this annual Lower School tradition invites students to step away from the classroom and immerse themselves in hands-on learning across our 385-acre campus. Since 1967, Ashokan has welcomed school groups from across the region, guided by the belief that children learn best when surrounded by nature, history, music, and art.

During their stay, Friends Seminary students engaged in a wide range of activities designed to challenge and inspire. As the school shared, fourth graders ventured out on forest hikes, explored the woods after dark, and even tried their hands at forging in our working blacksmith shop. These experiences encouraged inquiry, teamwork, and resilience while fostering meaningful connection—to the landscape, to the stories of the past, and to one another.

The Friends Seminary faculty and staff who accompanied the trip—Dot, Ellen, Kazia, Jonathan, Khairah, Steven, and Tyler—ensured that students were supported, guided, and thoughtfully cared for every step of the way.

We’re honored by the school’s reflection that the Ashokan trip embodies their belief that education is nurtured in community, grounded in reflection, and rooted in the natural world. Their thoughtful words and the vibrant photos they shared capture the spirit of outdoor learning at its best.

Why Schools Return to Ashokan Year After Year

Since 1967, the Ashokan Center has provided outdoor education to thousands of school groups. We believe that students learn best through rich, hands-on experiences in nature, history, music, and art. Our holistic approach inspires learners to make deep interdisciplinary connections that renew classroom engagement and spark lifelong curiosity.

From the moment students arrive, we build community into every part of the Ashokan experience. Our 385-acre preserve offers the ideal environment for inquiry, reflection, and growth. Students:

  • investigate scientific concepts through direct exploration,

  • step back in time through living history and colonial craft classes,

  • challenge themselves on ropes courses and team-building activities, and

  • learn new songs and traditions that connect them to the cultural past.

Our food waste reduction program also empowers students to understand the environmental impact of their daily choices—an experience many teachers tell us stays with students long after they head home.

Whether your school joins us for a residential trip or a day trip, every experience includes guided educational activities, shared meals, community-building programs, and the support of our dedicated staff team. Discounts for new schools and winter bookings, as well as need-based financial aid, help us keep the Ashokan experience accessible to all.

Bring Your School to Ashokan

We are grateful to Friends Seminary for sharing their words and photos—and honored to be part of their students’ learning journey.

If your school is interested in an unforgettable outdoor education experience, we’d love to welcome you.

👉 Learn more or schedule a visit at:
https://ashokancenter.org/educational-field-trips/