Waldorf Freshmen Get Oriented

Assistant Director of Camp Glen Brook Louis Bullard greets and welcomes the freshmen and seniors classes during Waldorf's high school orientation at Camp Glen Brook

Students and faculty at the Waldorf School of Garden City officially welcomed the school's freshmen class to the high school last week at Camp Glen Brook, the school's 250-acre extension campus, in Marlborough, New Hampshire. Since 1996, this 3-day orientation precedes the start of school and offers new students the opportunity to meet fellow classmates as well as upper class students. Past participants attest that their orientation experience was a great way to begin their high school career.

"Camp Glen Brook offers a year-round program of environmental education, practical work, and community building. It is a beloved destination of our alumni and the perfect place for new students to form friendships that will support them through their high school years" said Twain Braden, Director of Camp Glen Brook.

Throughout the school year, grades 5 through 12 each take a week-long trip to Glen Brook where they become immersed in the physical experience of their academic studies. Astronomy, botany, geology, cartography and history come to life amid the farm, fields and forests of Waldorf's New Hampshire campus. At Glen Brook, students and teachers also work side by side to tend to the farm animals, prepare meals, cut and split wood, maintain buildings and grounds and complete whatever chores this rural setting requires. In addition, Glen Brook has a high ropes challenge course which students experience in high school.

Freshmen, seniors Waldorf faculty and Camp Glen Brook staff.

A highlight for the freshman was climbing "The Wall," a 13-foot obstacle that students use must overcome without the use of a ladder. This unifying exercise, requiring teamwork, strategy, physical stamina, compassion and trust, is always an empowering and memorable experience for the class. During the three days of orientation, students also enjoyed canoeing, swimming, a night hike and games. With a successful orientation trip and opening day behind them, the class of 2011 can look forward to their high school journey. In May, they will return as part of their Main Lesson course in American Literature.

(L-R): Seniors Nicholas Palma and Thomas Anderson entertain a group of freshmen.

The Waldorf School of Garden City is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA). Camp Glen Brook, the school's 250-acre extension campus, is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). For more information about the school, please call 742-3434 ext. 129 or visit www.waldorfgarden.org. The school will host a High School Open House on Sunday, October 14, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

(L-R) Freshmen Landon Twine, Michael Escribano and Christian Longoria take time to play some basketball. Freshman Cedric Chang gets help climbing "The Wall" from classmates (l-r) Yeon-Ju Ham and Malik Lovelace. Assistant Director of Camp Glen Brook Mr. Louis Bullard leads the freshman class in a trust exercise. The freshman class face "The Wall," a trust exercise. Freshman Yeon-Ju Ham prunes an apple tree. (L-R): Freshman Ajene Miller, seniors Cory Rosenberg, Tarik French and high school English teacher Alexios Kritas fix some stone steps. Freshmen cheer as their classmate climbs "The Wall". (L-R) Freshmen Samkoor Iaccarino-Faye, Brendan Fogarty and James Zepf take part in a trust exercise. Freshman Victoria McKenna dives into the lake. Seniors Alessandra Caldwell, David Rothenbucher and Victoria Scarfone smile for the camera Freshmen Deanna Bertini and Robyn Baldwin smile for the camera. Freshman Ian Gagot, seniors Noah Heau, Nicole Ortiz, Jessica Kravitz and Alessandra Caldwell take time to chat.