Pennington in the Wild: The Wilderness Seminar
The Wilderness Seminar is an experiential, interdisciplinary course that explores ecological ethics in conversation with religion and spirituality through direct experience with the wild. Students will begin by doing coursework and expedition preparations in a hybrid format before departing on an eight-day canoe trip in the Saint Regis Canoe Area in Adirondack Park, NY. The academic work of the course includes close readings, student-led discussions and presentations, journal writing, and the completion of a final project.
While on the wilderness expedition, students will be responsible for their own belongings and will learn to work and function as a community under the guidance of our staff. Along with essentials like cooking and cleaning, campers will learn more about navigation, trip preparations, canoeing, and leadership. The trip will integrate academic work through group dialogues and by using the outdoors as our classroom.
Participants will earn .5 credits in religion, which counts as the second religion elective in the Upper School curriculum (the course does not replace the required sophomore course Religion and Ethics).
Schedule:
- June 27: Pennington Campus, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- June 28: Asynchronous/Schoology
- June 29: Pennington Campus, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- June 30: Asynchronous/Schoology
- July 1: Pennington Campus, 9:00 a.m.to 12:00 p.m.
- July 5: Pennington Campus, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- July 6: Departure to Adirondack Park, NY at 6:00 a.m.
- July 6-13: Canoe Expedition - Saint Regis Canoe Area
- July 13: Return to Pennington, 5:00 p.m. pick up
The expedition outline will be shared with all registered participants and families in the spring.
Wilderness Adventure: Camping Edition
There are some amazing wilderness and hiking trails in our backyard, from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to the Pinelands, adventure awaits at our door step. This course is all about the wilderness adventure experience, getting out there in nature, away from technology and connecting with our peers and self.
- Day 1 Camping prep and planning
- Day 2 -4 Camping and hiking in the Poconos region (alternative: Delaware Water Gap or the Pinelands)
- Day 5 Campers return and clean up
Pedal Power: An Excellent Bike Packing Adventure
Looking for something exciting and meaningful to do this summer? Join us for this new adventure series program: Pedal Power.
We will journey under our own power by bike packing along some of the USA's best bike trails, camping in beautiful places, and having an amazing experience all under our own power. There is something special and transformative about completing a journey all under your own power.
It’s not just about biking, it’s a trip of discovery, where each participant will grow as a leader, learn about themselves, overcome challenges, improve teamwork skills, and have an incredible experience.
This year, we will venture to local sections of the C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio) Canal Bike Trail and the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) trail. Combined, the trial network runs well past 350 miles, but we will only be doing a select section of the trail. We will choose our section of trail based on the group's ability, weather, and the condition of the trails. Our goal is to travel around 200 miles during our trip.
- August 9 - Pack and prep day
- August 10 - Travel to staging area and start trip, getting the first miles under our belts
- August 11–19 - On the trail
- August 20 - Pack up, clean up, break down equipment, debrief the trip, and head home
Intro to Backpacking: A Wilderness Adventure Camp
Intro to Backpacking is designed to teach all of the fundamental skills needed to start a journey into the incredible world of camping and backpacking. These life skills will open up new possibilities for additional adventures! The camp will start with two days on campus and finish the week with a two night/three day backpacking trip to a regional wilderness destination.
Backpacking is a great way to explore America's most pristine destinations. This camp is perfect for students who love to be outside, enjoy the beauty of nature, and try something new.
- Day 1 - Team building, backpacking basics, gear discussion, and navigation
- Day 2 - Food, packing, and trip planning
- Days 3-5 - Overnight backpacking excursion
If you do not find the date/time you are looking for or have a question, click above button to contact the provider.
Summers at Pennington offers inspiring camps and programs to help students discover their passions and interests, and gives them tools they can carry with them in their backpacks to achieve individual excellence in everything they do.
Mission & Philosophy
The Summers at Pennington program is committed to providing innovative and inspiring student-focused experiences that inspire and grow the young minds of all students, giving them the tools they need for individual excellence in the real world.
The focus of all Pennington experiences is on student-centered learning. We create a safe place for students to come and discover, learn, and explore. Our goal is to provide all children with tools to help them reach their potential in many different ways. Our programs are tailored to their interests and incorporate character-building activities that will help them succeed in school and in the real world. The experiential education we offer our students and campers helps them develop grit, a growth mindset, leadership skills, and more.
Our Staff
We are a group of dedicated educators, artists, scientists, athletes, and coaches. The majority of our programs are run by Pennington School faculty, staff, varsity coaches, and distinguished alumni. In addition, some of the School’s top students and recent alumni join us for the summer as instructors and counselors, helping to make the summer extraordinary for your child
Facility and Location
The Pennington School
Located in the heart of Pennington, NJ
The School sits on 40+ acres which includes, 4 grass sports fields, 1 running track, 1 turf field, protected wilderness areas, indoor pool + gymnasium, library, dining hall, STEM, art, performance and classrooms.
| Program Name | Grade | Age | Hightlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pennington School Outdoor Adventure | {{ ''.slice(0, -5) }} ∼ | 18+ {{ '4 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '18 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | Adventure-based summer camps for those who are looking for nature, learn about self, leadership and acquire a new skill, |
| Pennington Summer: Sports and Wellness Academy | {{ ''.slice(0, -5) }} ∼ | 18+ {{ '7 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} ∼ 18+ {{ '16 yrs'.slice(0, -3) }} | The perfect place for you to learn how to improve your sport-specific skills in a supportive and fun environment! |
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