LEAP – Learn • Engage • Apply • Perform

This course immerses students in the lifestyle of an elite athlete in the Adirondacks. Activities include gravel biking the new rail trail, hiking Indian Head, canoeing Lake Placid, indoor climbing, trail running at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, yoga, and a massage/deep tissue workshop. Expect an intensive week of exercise with added gym sessions for strength and mobility. Nutrition and recovery are equally emphasized, with meals, recovery tools, and meetings with local professional athletes included. 

Approximate Cost: $300 per student 

Leaders: Mr. LeBlanc and Mr. Runyon 

This hands-on course introduces students to the Farm to Table movement. They’ll visit a local dairy farm and creamery, learn cheesemaking, and cook with professional chefs in both a culinary school lab and restaurant kitchen. Experiences also include visiting a school with an edible schoolyard and composting system, exploring maple syrup production and beekeeping, and enjoying demonstrations and meals at local restaurants. The week culminates with students preparing and serving a wholesome meal for the Northwood community. No prior cooking experience required—just curiosity, teamwork, and an appetite! 

Approximate Cost: $250 per student 
Leaders: Ms. Germaine and Ms. Gerardi 

In this hands-on course, students will learn the art of dog training alongside Kristian Hammermueller, founder of Miracle Dog. Each participant will be paired with a faculty dog to train and care for throughout the week while also exploring service dog work, obedience, nutrition, genetics, and general care. Experiences include visits from a local vet, a trip to the animal shelter, and hosting a Pup Trot fundraiser. The week concludes with a Dog Show—crowning “Best Dog”—and a Dog Training Graduation. 

Approximate Cost: $150 per student 
Leaders: Mrs. Riffle and Mr. Mallaro 

This course offers students the chance to give back by supporting local elementary and pre-K classrooms. Participants will observe experienced teachers, assist with classroom activities, and design and run a sports event at Northwood for the children they’ve been working with. It’s a rewarding opportunity to experience education from “the other side of the desk” while making a positive impact on the local community. 

Cost: $0 per student 
Leader: Mr. Shergold and Mr. Spero 

This course combines the thrill of cycling with the science of nutrition. Students will explore road, mountain, and gravel riding in the Adirondacks, including a Tour de France–style climb up Alp d’Huez (local version!) and a rail trail ride into Saranac Lake. Along the way, they’ll learn bike mechanics, fitting, and power generation, while guest speakers—a mechanic, sports psychologists, and a nutritionist—share their expertise. In the kitchen, students will prepare meals to fuel rides and support recovery, gaining hands-on insight into sports nutrition for endurance and explosive sports alike. 

Approximate Cost: $350 per student (including bike rental) 
Leader: Mr. Magnus and TBD 

The Adirondacks offer world-class fly-fishing, from small creeks with wild brook trout to lakes holding trophy-sized fish. In this course, students will learn casting, fly selection, and tactics for trout, bass, and other local species. They’ll practice finding fish, hooking, playing, landing, and releasing them, while also exploring the biology and ecology of cold-water fisheries. Students will tie their own flies and experience fishing on rivers, lakes, and ponds throughout the region. 

Cost: $600 per student (Last year, this was fully funded by private donors and students paid $0. We hope to receive funding again and be able to reduce the cost significantly but cannot guarantee that). 

Leaders: Mr. Garvey and Mr. Lynch 

Golf arrived in the Adirondacks with wealthy summer visitors in the late 19th century, and many of the region’s historic courses remain today. In this course, students will learn the history of Adirondack golf and play classic courses such as Ausable Club, Thendara, Cobble Hill, Westport, Lake Placid Club, and Saranac Inn. They’ll also hear from Peter Martin, author of Adirondack Golf Courses … Past and Present. These short, quirky courses promise challenge and fun alike. Students must bring their own clubs and have some playing experience. 

Approximate Cost: $350 per student 
Leaders: Mr. Donatello and Mr. Gilligan 

Step back in time and learn traditional woodworking techniques using hand tools like planes, saws, chisels, and squares. Students will build a candlebox with dovetail joints, a footstool with mortise and tenon joinery, and practice essential skills of fine furniture making. Along the way, they’ll work with woods such as pine, maple, cherry, and walnut, gaining an appreciation for the craft behind antique furniture. This course offers a foundation for anyone interested in becoming a maker. 

Approximate Cost: $100 per student 
Leaders: Mr. Weaver, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Green ’55 (Gary Green Furniture) 

Start your summer with movement, mindfulness, and adventure. Students will explore yoga, breath-work, meditation, and stress-relief tools while connecting with nature and friends. Activities include sunrise sessions at the ski jumps, mindfulness on stand-up paddleboards, and outdoor reset time. This course builds lifelong habits for well-being, balance, and resilience—no experience needed. 

Approximate Cost: $380 per student 
Leaders: Ms. Carmichael Ms. Nikki Warren (Owner of  High Peaks Yoga Shala ) 

Explore the art of photography in this weeklong beginner-to-intermediate course. Students will focus on landscapes, figures, and other subjects, learning digital (and possibly black-and-white film) techniques. Mornings include instruction from local professionals and organizations, with afternoons for hands-on practice. Students will stay on campus throughout the week. 

Approximate Cost: $700 per student 
Leaders: Mrs. Van Slyke and Ms. Prime  

This adventure-packed course gives students a taste of the Adirondacks through climbing a slide, camping overnight at a wilderness site, rock climbing, zip lining, and even taking a scenic flight over the park. Activities will be shaped by student input during pre-trip planning, creating a unique experience for the group. Along the way, students will gain insight into the park’s diverse user groups and land-use decisions while enjoying a week full of adventure. 

Approximate Cost: $350 per student 
Leaders: Mr. Emery and TBD  

This immersive course combines conservation, public health, and community service in Uganda. Students will partner with Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) to engage in gorilla conservation, field research, and community health initiatives. Highlights include trekking to observe mountain gorillas in Bwindi, analyzing gorilla fecal samples, visiting local villages and schools, and exploring Uganda’s wildlife at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Students gain hands-on experience in protecting biodiversity while supporting community development. 

Approximate Cost: $5,300 per student 

Leaders: Ms. Fagan and Mrs. Farrell 

Discover Norway’s stunning landscapes on this adventure-packed trip. Hike the Valley of the Waterfalls, snowshoe on Folgefonna Glacier, climb the Via Ferrata at Tyssedal, and experience the fjords by boat and train on the legendary Flåm Railway. Enjoy river rafting, hot tubs and saunas in Voss, and sightseeing in Bergen, including a cable car ride. Travel is by private tour bus, with accommodations in chalets, hostels, and a hotel. This trip blends outdoor adventure, exploration, and cultural experiences. 

Approximate Cost: $4,600 per student 

Leaders: Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Wint 

Explore one of the world’s most unique ecosystems on this immersive 8-day journey. Students will snorkel with sea lions, kayak among marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies, hike volcanic landscapes, and learn about biodiversity, food security, and sustainable tourism. Service opportunities include agro-ecology work at Huerta Luna Farm and volunteering with the Jocotoco Foundation. Highlights include the Charles Darwin Research Station, giant tortoises at El Chato II Reserve, and a boat excursion to iconic Kicker Rock. 

Approximate Cost: $5,000 per student 

Leaders: Ms. Odell and Mrs. Wardlaw 

Experience the beauty and culture of Zlarin, Croatia, on this 10-day adventure. Students will sea kayak along the coast, climb local cliffs, snorkel, cliff dive, hike, mountain bike, and even try sponge diving. The trip also explores historic sites, local cuisine, and community culture. Designed for all skill levels, no prior climbing or paddling experience is required. 

Approximate Cost: $4,000 per student 

Leaders: Mr. O’Connor and Mr. Jackson Deeney 

Explore world-class climbing at Red Rock while learning the fundamentals of single- and multi-pitch rock climbing. Students will develop technical, environmental, and organizational skills, applying a reflective “thinking in action” approach to climbing. The course combines hands-on practice with theoretical foundations for safe and effective climbing. 

Approximate Cost: $1,600 per student 
Leaders: Mr. Bobby O’Connor and Jackson Deeney 

Explore Puerto Rico on this 7-day interdisciplinary journey. Students will study colonial history in Old San Juan, visit world-class museums, and engage in geological fieldwork in caves and coastal ecosystems. Activities include kayaking through mangroves, observing biodiversity, and learning about environmental conservation, along with surfing and beach time. This program blends cultural exploration, scientific inquiry, and hands-on adventure for a rich, memorable learning experience. 

Approximate Cost: $3,800 per student 
Leaders: Mr. Coss and TBD 

Spend a week in Utah combining backcountry skiing with essential avalanche safety training. Students will earn their AIARE Avalanche Rescue certification, practice beacon, shovel, and probe skills at Snowbird’s beacon park, and enjoy guided backcountry and freeskiing adventures. This course blends technical training with hands-on mountain experience in a stunning alpine setting. 

Approximate Cost: $3,000 per student 

Leaders: Mr. O’Connor and Ms. Fagan