Our Farm
Curriculum
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
— Henry David Thoreau
Glen Brook, is a farm and outdoor education facility in NH, which is owned and operated by the Waldorf School of Garden City. It provides an “Emersonian” or “Thoreauvian” homestead-style experience where, through community living, a farm-to-table lifestyle, outdoor adventure, and the acquisition of practical and professional skills, our high school students experience a life away from suburban Long Island. While at Glen Brook, over 200 acres of woods and private lake become the students’ backyard for outings and engaging practical lessons.
Countless thinkers, scientists, and writers have returned time and again to wild places to rejuvenate their inner lives and set off on important internal discoveries. Regular opportunities for reflection and introspection helps students to clarify what is truly important.
| Focus of High School Class Trips | ||
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Geology | Encampment, cooking over a fire, ropes course, canoeing |
| 10 | Meterology | Climate and weather in the White Mountains |
| 11 | Cartography | Surveying, orienteering |
| 12 | Food Economics | Cooking, food economics, maple sugaring |
[ezcol_1half]
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
[/ezcol_1half_end]
Trip Reviews
By Glenbrook Program Directors
“The 9th grade trip provides a lot of challenges. The students lived out of tents for the week, cooking over fires and getting comfortable in the woods. They went canoeing, learned how to tie canoes to the trailers, perfected new paddling strokes, and worked together to navigate a beautiful lake. They also took part in our high ropes course– learned to tie several knots including the bowline, figure eight, double figure eight, and the half double fisherman’s– and to belay each other. We pushed these students, and they rose to the occasion. We were continually impressed with and proud of the way they got comfortable with bugs, tough cooking conditions, high heights, and new skills. We look forward to going with them to the white mountains in just a few months for their 10th grade trip.”
“High school seniors and freshmen from start off their school year with a short trip to Glen Brook. Their time is filled with good food, swimming in the lake, hiking Mt. Monadnock, class meetings, and for the seniors, the infamous “Wall” on our low ropes course. We had a great time starting the school year with two wonderful classes and perfect summer weather for three days.”
“This 10th grade trip was one for the books! Our trip to the White Mountains was made memorable by the powerful wind and rain we experienced as we attempted to summit the mountain. We had an incredible adventure in 40 mile per hour winds and heavy rains, and are grateful to Nate at Greenleaf hut who generously made us hot soup and drinks to help us recuperate. On returning to Camp we had a wonderful time doing some work processing apples for applesauce, cleaning the vehicles we used, and fallen branches after the storm. We also cooked some delicious food and explored the Glen Brook woods.”
“The focus of the 11th grade trip each year is Orienteering– learning to read and use a map and compass to navigate the woods. The final exam is getting dropped in a small group about 5 miles away from camp and finding their way back. This class did a wonderful job. They also helped stack wood for winter, plant pepper plants in the garden, mulch flower beds, and cook delicious food for the rest of their class– leaving Camp more beautiful and better off than the way they found it. This class was a joy to have, and they certainly know how to enjoy this place– we look forward to having them back just after the summer for thier Orientation trip.”
“We had a wonderful last week at Glen Brook with a truly great 12th grade class. Nothing beats a winter trip to Glen Brook complete with a snowstorm! We had great snow for sledding and skiing on Wednesday, and enjoyed ourselves on the ice playing hockey as well. When we weren’t having fun in the snow, this class learned from Farmer Kim about the food revolution and how food choices shape the world around us. This conversation was particularly relevant as they worked with Chef Paige… to cook all their own meals, learning how and why to prepare whole foods. They also helped to shovel camp’s paths and greenhouses, split firewood for the remaining months of winter, and they started to build a new shelving system for the Camp Maintenance Shop. We wish this class well in their endeavors going forward. Remember, in all that you do leave the world a little better than the way you found it.”
“High school seniors and freshmen from start off their school year with a short trip to Glen Brook. Their time is filled with good food, swimming in the lake, hiking Mt. Monadnock, class meetings, and for the seniors, the infamous “Wall” on our low ropes course. We had a great time starting the school year with two wonderful classes and perfect summer weather for three days.”