What are some fun things people do at boarding schools?
Do they have field trips? Dances? Anything?
Most schools have dances and field trips and the like.
At Thacher they have 2-3 big camping trips each year (including a horsepacking trip for freshmen and a broad range of options like snow camping, beach camping w/surfing or kayaking, etc), Big Gymkhana cowboy style races, surprise nighttime pool parties, food trucks, prefect group munch outs, and a weekly Open House party at the head of school’s home with something for everyone: karaoke, dancing, ping pong, movies, board games, baking, crafting, you name it. Everyone goes!
@YoungThriver - that’s an important question and one I hope you are asking during campus tours. If not there, as the AO or alum you are meeting locally. For some schools, attending sporting events together is a big part of the social scene. We were happy to see how many students attended Performing Arts events at each school - also part of the social scene. As mentioned above, there are many types of social opportunities. At SGS, for example, we saw a bus (“The Dragon Wagon”) that shuttles students into Newport for the night out on weekends. Most tempting! In the NE, some schools have nearby ski areas or terrain parks for snow boarding. Bowling, apple-picking, shopping trips, concerts, and the Big E (fair in NE during the fall). Some social events are also “get out of your comfort zone” opportunities (eg Learn to Tango). Dance parties are a lot of fun - often with a theme (costume party, country, disco night). While applying to schools, Kiddo was checking out the Instagram posts of schools and some of their students to see what kind of social events were happening. :D/
I’m curious: Do these extra events cost extra? Do the kids on financial aid get left out?
There are no extra costs for any school-sponsored events in our school, including dances, parties, game nights, movie nights, field trips, outdoorsy evens like hiking, skiing, etc. “FA kids” would be nearly half the school…
@Gatormama - at the schools we looked at, most of the social events were free to the students. Events are covered by a school activities fund. Some clubs are given funding for additional social events and guest speakers also. Many schools have concerts and guest speakers that one could consider “social events” because kids tend to go together during non-school hours, or on the weekends. The trip to the county fair included free bus transportation and a free ticket - but you had to pay for your own food. The trip for apple picking was free. The “Tango” dance lessons were free. THe trip to the snow board park last year at one school we know was not extra $. However, if some kids want to get together and ski on their own (apart from school) they pay on their own. Before the costume dances, the kids go through their closets and share clothes - but, there is also a couple of trips to the local thrift stores for cheap threads. I really have not seen or heard about FA kids feeling left out on our campus or those of friends.
On campus events are free. Now, if you attend SGS and take the “Dragon Wagon” to Newport, the bus ride is free but your meal and Roy Rogers/Shirley Temple at the Candy Store are on you L-)
My kid’s a day student at a boarding school. She’s often gone to campus for weekend activities and has never had to pay, including things like off-campus moviesor tubing. This was a weekend schedule I posted on CC when someone asked about things to do at her school. It was that week’s schedule, so randomly chosen, not selected because it was an especially full weekend. The asterisk indicates that sign-up is required.
My guess is that these schedules reflect the kinds of weekend activities you’d find at most boarding schools.
This weekend’s schedule:
Friday, 1/11/19
5:30-7:00 CS Project- S.W.A.T.- Set up talent show*
6:00-8:00 Westford Shuttle
6:00-7:30 Class War Spartan Nation Sports - attend GVH Game
7:30-9:00 Talent Show
9:15-10:15 Late night Stand-up Comedian (after talent Show) - James Goff
Saturday, 1/12/19
5:30-7:30 CS Project-S.W.A.T. - Carnival Set Up (activity help & clean-up)* (Gym)
12:00-2:00 The Point Shuttle
3:00 GVH Game
4:30 GVB Game
7:30-10:30 Spartan Carnival (Gym) Required for boarders from 8:00-9:30) Faculty Kids Welcome anytime. (Prizes drawn 10:00-10:30 - must be present to win)
7:30-10:45 Movie Marathon (team room)
7:30-10:00 Open Skate - no sticks or pucks (We have some skates & helmets for student use or bring your own)
7:30-10:30 Fire pit (with hot dogs & S’mores) sponsored by Grilling Club
8:30-10:00 Carnival Snacks
Sunday, 1/13/19
11:00-12:00 CS Project - RAH Event Set-up
12:30-3:00/3:30 CS Project-Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging
Event*
12:00-2:00 Local Shuttle (Groton Area)
12:00-4:00 Hmart & Burlington Mall Trip*
1:00-4:00 Football in MacNeil with nacho bar (lobby of Grey)
12:00-5:00 XBOX in MacNeil
12:00-4:00 Movies (Recital Hall)
1:00-4:00 Open Gym, Weight room & Fitness Center