For students, some of the most meaningful lessons happen outside the classroom. This fall, Class 6 students from The Chapin School in New York City traveled to The Ashokan Center for a three-day overnight trip filled with outdoor exploration, hands-on learning, and opportunities to build lasting connections with classmates and teachers.
Surrounded by the colorful fall foliage of the Catskills, students stepped into Ashokan’s 385-acre natural classroom, where nature, history, and shared experiences created the setting for learning and community building.
Three Days of Exploration and Discovery
During their stay, Chapin students took part in a variety of activities that encouraged collaboration, communication, and curiosity.
They headed out on the water for canoeing, worked together to make fresh apple cider using locally grown apples and an antique cider press, and explored the landscape on a hike to Cathedral Gorge. Each experience offered a different way to engage with the natural world while practicing teamwork and supporting one another.
Whether paddling together, pressing apples, or navigating the trails, students had opportunities to learn new skills, take on challenges, and experience the outdoors in a hands-on way.
Making Connections Around the Campfire
Beyond the daytime activities, some of the trip’s most memorable moments came when the group gathered in the evenings.
Students spent time around the campfire, shared conversations, and looked up at the stars. These quieter moments gave classmates and teachers an opportunity to connect outside their usual school routines, strengthening relationships and building a greater sense of community.
As The Chapin School noted, overnight trips are an important part of the Middle School experience. They provide opportunities for students to bond with one another and allow advisors and teachers to get to know their students in a different setting.
A Classroom Without Walls
At The Ashokan Center, the natural landscape is an extension of the classroom. Through outdoor activities, exploration, and shared experiences, students develop skills and connections that reach beyond any single lesson.
Chapin’s Class 6 visit is a wonderful example of how experiential education can bring learning to life. From canoeing and hiking to making cider and gathering beneath the stars, students returned home with new experiences, stronger friendships, and memories made together.
We’re grateful to The Chapin School for making Ashokan part of its Middle School tradition and for giving students the opportunity to learn, explore, and grow in the Catskills.
Bring Your Students to Ashokan
Looking for a meaningful outdoor learning experience for your school? The Ashokan Center offers educational field trips that connect students with nature, history, music, and art through engaging, hands-on experiences.
Contact our Education team to start planning your school’s visit.