Our Unforgettable Trip to Ashokan: Adventures in Nature
AT NAISNY we believe that education stretches beyond the classroom. Therefore, we offer learning opportunities that allow students to apply and learn new skills outside the classroom. This approach encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Every year NAISNY students are given opportunities to go on residential trips. In this blog, students share their memories from their trip to one of their favorite places: Ashokan.
Hi everyone! We're students at Nord Anglia International School New York, and we just got back from our amazing trip to Ashokan. It's a special place where students from Year 3 to 6 (2nd to 5th grade) get to explore nature, learn new skills, and have lots of fun. Let us tell you all about our fantastic week, you can also what the video at the bottom of our blog!
Discovering New Skills and Adventures
For many of us, Ashokan was a chance to try new things. Vieno discovered a talent for archery, hitting the bullseye with ease. This was our first time trying archery for many of us, and we were thrilled when we finally hit the target. Charles was the first in his group to hit the bullseye, which was super cool!
Maple sugaring was another highlight. Leonardo and Clare loved learning about how syrup is made, and the sweet taste of maple candy was a real treat. Clare had been the year before, and this time she enjoyed learning even more about the history of the practice at Ashokan.
Exploring the Great Outdoors
Being surrounded by nature was a big change from the city life we're used to. Eliot and Jack loved the gorge hike, where we saw a giant freezing waterfall. It was amazing! We spent time collecting different plant life, and Jack especially enjoyed finding pinecones.
Sebastian absolutely loved Ashokan! He especially enjoyed seeing the natural world in the fresh air and talked about how he felt very calm out in the forest and away from the busy city.
August loved coming to Ashokan and talked all week about how much he loved the fun activities, especially walking in the woods because he said it made him feel like he had a lot of energy!
Amelia loved returning to Ashokan. She and Zipporah particularly loved the Gorge hike being out in nature seeing the historical things like the bridge and mill. During the pond activity, Amelia even held a newt and a tadpole – something she had never done before!
Rio had an amazing time at Ashokan too. He was particularly proud of spotting a beaver in the river while on a hike. He even made up a song about how cool it was!
Fun and Games Around the Campfire
The campfire was a favorite for many of us. Sam and Zacharie loved singing songs and eating s'mores. There's just something magical about sitting around a fire with friends, sharing stories and laughter. Louis found building the campfire and learning survival skills fascinating, and she can't wait to do it again next year.
Learning About the Past
The schoolhouse experience was like stepping back in time to the 1800s. Yasmin and Thea loved acting out roles from the past, and Cora felt like she was really there! It was a unique way to learn about history and see how different school life was back then. It was a great opportunity to collaborate and have fun across the year groups going back in time together.
Ending the Week with a Bang
Our week ended with an epic disco party! Brendan and Mila had a blast dancing the night away. Parth even won the prize for best dancer with his impressive moves. It was the perfect way to wrap up our Ashokan adventure, filled with laughter and joy.
Memories to Last a Lifetime
Ashokan was an unforgettable experience, and we can't wait to go back next year. From learning new skills to making friends and exploring nature, it was a week packed with adventure and discovery. Whether it was the thrill of archery, the sweetness of maple candy, or the fun of the disco party, every moment was special.
We hope you enjoyed reading about our trip. If you ever get a chance to join us then you won’t regret going on this school trip —it's a place where memories are made!
From
Year 3 and 6 students at NAISNY.
