LEAP – Learn • Engage • Apply • Perform

This course will give students the hands-on opportunity to explore the lifestyle of an elite/professional athlete in the Adirondacks. They will explore many of the outdoor disciplines that make the Adirondacks a recreational destination. This will include gravel biking the new rail trail between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake, hiking to Indian Head, canoeing across Lake Placid, indoor climbing and trail running at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, a yoga class, and a massage/class on deep tissue massage. Note: This will be an intensive week of exercise! Additional time will be spent in the gym working on strength and mobility. Although the active side of training is important, just as important is nutrition and recovery. Therefore, this course will include all nutrition for the week and recovery tools. Students will meet with local elite/professional athletes to gain their perspective on training and recovery. • Approximate Cost – $300 per student. Led by Mr. LeBlanc and Mr. Runyon

This course will give students a hands-on opportunity to learn about and experience the value of the Farm to Table movement. Students will explore life on a local organic dairy farm and creamery, learn the art of making cheese, cook with professional chefs in a culinary school lab kitchen and restaurant kitchen, learn techniques for preparing delicious wholesome foods with fresh ingredients and appreciate the fruits of their labor in the company of the others in the group. Students will also visit another local private school to learn about their edible schoolyard and incredible composting system, they will learn about making maple syrup at a local sugarhouse and honey beekeeping through the Adirondack Pollinator Project, and they will enjoy food preparation demonstrations and meals at several local restaurants. The course will culminate with students sharing their newly formed culinary skills with the Northwood School community by preparing and serving a nutritious and tasty meal for other students. Note: no prior cooking experience is required for this course. Bring a good attitude and the desire to have fun, participate, learn and EAT! • Approximate Cost – $250 per student. Led by Ms. Germaine and Mr. Martinez

This course will give students the hands-on opportunity to learn in depth about dog training. Participants will spend a week learning the tricks of the trade from Kristian Hammermueller, owner/founder and lead trainer of Miracle Dog. Our dog trainers in training will be paired with faculty dogs for the week and will train and take care of them. Throughout the week our trainees will also get an in depth look at how to train service dogs, how to train pointer dogs, how to obedience train, be visited by a local vet, visit the local animal shelter, and learn about pet nutrition, breeding, genetics, and general care, as well as host a Pup Trot fundraiser in support of our local animal shelter. The week will end with a Dog Show where we will crown the week’s “Best Dog”, followed by Dog Training Graduation. • Approximate Cost – $150 per student. Led by Mrs. Riffle and Mr. Mallaro

Help local elementary schools and kindergartens to explore the challenging, rewarding, enjoyable and memorable world of educating young people. The program will include day visits to local schools to watch and observe expert teachers, opportunities to help in the classroom before culminating in a sports event designed and run entirely by you at Northwood School for the children you have been working with. This is a unique chance to give back to the local community we are all lucky to be a part of, experience education from ‘the other side of the desk’, and positively influence the lives of children in the North Country. We look forward to you joining us for a great way to end the year at Northwood School. • Cost – $0. Led by Mr. Shergold

Get ready to dive into an exhilarating week where cycling meets the power of nutrition. This LEAP offers students the unique opportunity to explore various types of cycling—road, mountain, and gravel—right here in our local community and learning the power that nutrition has on performance. Over the course of the week, students will experience scenic rides exploring our community and emulating the classic Tour de France climb up Alp d’Huez. We’ll also ride into Saranac Lake for lunch via the brand new rail trail. In addition to time in the saddle, students will learn the basics of bike mechanics, bike fitting and power generation. Guest speakers will include local bike shop owner and lead mechanic, sports psychologists, and a nutritionist. One of the most important elements of athletic performance is the fuel we put in our bodies. Student-athletes will delve into sports nutrition, discovering how to fuel for endurance sports like cycling versus more explosive sports like skiing, soccer, and hockey. Get hands-on in the kitchen, preparing meals that are perfect for pre-ride energy, in-ride endurance, and post-ride recovery. Approximate Cost – $350 per student (including bike rental). Led by Mr. Bryan Magnus and Mr. Tommy Biesemeyer 

• The Adirondack mountains offer a variety of fly-fishing opportunities ranging from small creek fishing for quarter pound wild brook trout to larger lake fishing for 30+ pound lake trout, and many options in between. In this LEAP offering, students will have the opportunity to learn how to fly fish for Trout, Bass, and other species of local freshwater fish. The students will begin by learning how to cast and will quickly move on to the basics of fly fishing including finding fish, understanding the different flies and tactics used for different species, and learning how to hook, play, land, and release fish. Time will be spent understanding what a “fly” is, what they imitate, and how to tie them. Students will also be introduced to the biology and ecology of cold-water fisheries. The students will have the opportunity to experience river, lake, and pond fishing. • Cost – $0 per student. Led by Mr. Garvey and Mr. Lynch

• Experience first-hand one of the most beautiful places in the world! Exploring glaciers, volcanoes, lava tubes, geothermal pools, geysers, and the rift valley are just a few of the highlights of this course. Students will learn about plate tectonics, climate change and the significance of geothermal activity in Iceland, while using a variety of media to thoroughly document their experience. Students will work and stay at GeoCamp Iceland (http://www.geocamp.is/). This is an educational project dedicated to increasing knowledge and understanding of natural sciences with practical and active learning. This is a course for those with a spirit for the natural world! • Approximate Cost – $4100 per student (depending on enrollment). Led by Mrs. Wint and Mrs. Walker

Starting in the late 19th century, the Adirondack Mountains became a popular retreat for wealthy Eastern Seaboard and Canadian families. The game of golf came with them. It was a natural adjunct to the “improving” regime of physical activities pursued by these families, such as hiking, fishing, and canoeing. But it was strictly small-scale. Most of the courses — 59 were built in the Adirondack Park region between 1890 and 1932, about half of which remain open — were started as nine-holers. The plan is to learn the history of the 120-year-old courses and play most of the ones still open. Ausable Club, Thendara Golf Club, Cobble Hill Golf Course, Westport Country Club, Lake Placid Club, and the Saranac Inn Golf Course. We will meet and hear a lecture from Peter Martin, author of the definitive “Adirondack Golf Courses … Past and Present.” The golf courses are short and quirky, which should be equally challenging and fun! Must have your OWN set of golf clubs and have some experience playing the game. Approximate Cost – $350 per student. Led by Mr. Donatello, Mr. Riffle and Mr. Gilligan

• Have you ever wondered how the wonderful antiques you see in museums or perhaps in your grandparents homes were made? If you have, you probably know that they were built without the benefit of today’s machinery. This course is a hands-on learning experience using the tools of the past. Students will use planes, hand saws, chisels and squares to build a candlebox (about 10” wide, 6”deep and 5”high) with a hinged lid and a foot stool with four legs. Students will make hand-cut dovetails and install an inset hinge. Students will make a free standing simple mortise and tenon joint. Dovetails and mortise and tenon joints are the foundation of traditional furniture. Also important are the woods you will be exposed to—pine, maple, cherry and walnut. One week of working with wood may be your first step on a journey as a maker of tables, chairs, dressers, clocks and more. • Approximate Cost – $100 per student. Led by Mr. Weaver, Mr. Martin and Mr. Green ‘55 (http://www.garygreenfurniture.com)

• Join us for a dynamic and hands-on week-long pottery workshop designed specifically for Northwood students, hosted in collaboration with the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. This immersive experience will guide students through the foundational techniques of pottery, including hand-building, wheel-throwing, and glazing. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own unique pieces, from concept to finished product, while learning about the history and cultural significance of pottery. With guidance from experienced instructors and local artists, students will explore their creativity, develop new skills, and connect with peers in a supportive and inspiring environment. By the end of the week, each student will have a collection of their own handcrafted pottery to take home, along with a deeper appreciation for the art and craft of ceramics. No experience is necessary. • Approximate Cost – $150 per student. Led by Mrs. Van Slyke and Ms. Prime

Adventuring in Costa Rica is a dream for anyone with a passion for sustainability coupled with an appetite for outdoor adventure. It is a playground for ecotourism, and we will take advantage of it as much as possible during our stay. Students will soak in the rainforest, raft the Pacuare River, and learn all about flora and fauna while completing two service projects along the way; one will be with the Rivers and Forests Alliance (RAFA) and another with the Verdiazul Turtle Hatchery. We will experience Costa Rica’s diverse topography from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, from the cloud forest and jungle to beaches and urban centers. Highlights will include zip-lining, whitewater rafting in class III and IV rapids, hiking by day and night, snorkeling, and learning about the many creatures that inhabit Costa Rica. Approximate Cost – $4200 (depending on enrollment) per student. Led by Ms. Odell and Mrs. Wardlaw 

• Scramble up an Adirondack slide, boat to a wilderness campsite and spend the night, rock climb, zip line, and take a scenic flight around the park to check out all the places you just explored. This course will have a cross-section of outdoor activities offered in the Adirondacks. The exact itinerary and activities will be largely driven by student interest and desires in the pre-trip planning process. The course will provide students with a better sense of the Park’s many user groups and what drives the land use and local decision-making processes while being chockfull of adventure every day. • Approximate Cost – $350 per student. Led by: Mr. Emery and Mrs. Farrell

This immersive course offers students a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of conservation, public health, and community development in Uganda. Through a partnership with Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a pioneering organization dedicated to promoting biodiversity conservation and public health, students will gain hands-on experience in field research, community health initiatives, and wildlife conservation. The program begins in Entebbe, where students will visit the CTPH headquarters and receive an orientation from key leaders, including potential meetings with the organization’s founders. Students will then travel to Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to engage in gorilla conservation efforts, including trekking to observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat and participating in gorilla fecal sample collection and analysis. Throughout the course, students will work closely with CTPH’s field teams to understand the challenges and strategies of conserving biodiversity while improving community health. This includes visits to local villages and schools, interaction with Village Health and Conservation Teams, and involvement in initiatives like the Gorilla Conservation Coffee project. The program includes a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where students will observe Uganda’s rich wildlife and learn about conservation efforts in the park. Approximate Cost $4500 (depending on enrollment) per student. Led by Ms. Fagan and Mr. Spear 

This course provided by SOLO, is an 8-day certification course that focuses on remote backcountry medical assistance and evacuation. Wilderness first responders are individuals who are trained to respond to emergency situations in remote locations. They are part of a wide variety of wilderness medical providers who deal with medical emergencies that occur in remote settings. This certification is highly recommended for professionals looking to work in the outdoor/medical industry. • Approximate Cost $600 per student. Led by Mr. Bobby O’Connor

This Southwest based climbing trip will take you to the world-class climbing venue known as Red Rock. During this course, students will learn the fundamental concepts and standard practices that are the foundation of both single and multi-pitch rock climbing. The process is presented as the application of technical, environmental, and organizational skills. The class identifies a reflective process of “thinking in action” and provides theoretical foundations and rationales for the application of rock-climbing skills. • Approximate Cost – $1600 per student – Led by Mr. Bobby O’Connor and SUNY Plattsburgh Associate Professor, Head of Climbing & Skiing, Casey Henley.

• Experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan, where the snow is deep and the culture and history even deeper. On this trip, we will ski the famed powder snow of the Japanese alps, explore Tokyo and everything it has to offer, stay in traditional lodging, visit countless historical sites, and experience a unique and delicious cuisine at every meal. We will experience Japan from a variety of perspectives, from the bustling urban center of the capital to the traditional, rural hidden gem of Myoko-Kogen. We will spend 5 nights in a traditional Japanese ryokan, or inn, while skiing some of the best snow in the world and enjoying the famous Japanese hot springs. We will see the countless sights that Tokyo and its surroundings have to offer, like the Senso-ji temple, Odawara castle, the Toyosu tuna auction, the Shibuya scramble crossing, and maybe even a rugby match in one of the world’s top club leagues. We will also have the option to venture out on Japan’s famous bullet trains to visit even more locations, such as Kyoto, where it seems like there is a 1,000-year-old building every 30 feet. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to appreciate all aspects of Japan, skiing its snow and learning about its culture, society and history from unique perspectives. • Approximate Cost $4300 per student. Led by Mr. Bobby O’Connor, Ms. Fagan and Gus Garvey ‘25