The Windsor Mountain School Year Programs offer school groups and other organizations access to an outdoor laboratory for experiential learning within an educational structure. Windsor Mountain realizes that many educational objectives are best met through classroom learning, however some goals are best met through active participation in an outdoor setting. Building a school culture or integrating an incoming class of students are examples of objectives that can be not only met but exceeded through outdoor education integrated with fun. Typical program offerings include initiatives, group games, marine biology, natural history, self-exploration, personal development, low and high ropes course elements, leadership, and fun! The Windsor Mountain spirit and community-based approach to experiential learning sets the tone for an atmosphere in which it is acceptable for students to step outside their comfort zone and take a risk. These risks are the basis upon which students increase their sense of open-mindedness and develop personally.

Windsor Mountain’s highly trained staff plays a key role in facilitating group activities and dialogues throughout the course of the daily schedule. Teachers, administrators, and students can participate side-by-side and share ideas and beliefs in a relaxed, educational forum while our staff lead activities. Staff members are trained to frontload and debrief activities in order to maximize the overall learning experience. Windsor Mountain believes that the learning, which takes place here, is transferable to a student’s life at home or at school.

Students may discover they learn best by putting their ideas into action instead of conceptualizing them. Perhaps a student might uncover leadership potential if put in a situation where they’re not afraid to speak out? An entire school group as a whole may determine that their existing social culture at school isn’t best suited for the values they wish to uphold. A group of strangers might come to Windsor Mountain and leave as if they have known each other for years—breaking down the barrier of not being able to approach a stranger to say a simple hello!

The length and content of each program can be individually tailored to meet the needs and goals of any particular group. Windsor Mountain welcomes the opportunity to discuss the wide range of possibilities for your group.

For more information please contact Pam Butler (Pam@WindsorMountain.org)