Summer Challenge

Honesty (Part I)

July 24, 2009 | By John Rigney | John Rigney, Summer Challenge, Woodstock Word

In his 1978 song, “Honesty,” Billy Joel sang about the difficulty with having honest relationships. Part of the song is a really a rant about the lack of honesty: “Honesty is such a lonely word / Everyone is so untrue / Honesty is hardly ever heard.” Billy Joel had this right: telling the truth is [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Top Ten Essential Components for Summer Challenge:

July 22, 2009 | By John Rigney | John Rigney, Summer Challenge

1. Formal Hyde introduction 2. The timed mile (the first week and again during Family Weekend) 3. Wilderness experience in northern Maine 4. Individual singing audition 5. Beach days 6. Performing arts show 7. Discovery Group challenges, meetings, seminars, etc. 8. Core Schedule: Freedom & Responsibility and afternoon athletics 9. Summer Challenge Family Weekend 10. [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Student Leader Highlights

July 21, 2009 | By John Rigney | John Rigney, Summer Challenge

Student Leader: (n) a Hyde student, often one approaching his or her senior year; an individual who willingly tests themselves as a leader by modeling the Hyde process and learning how to become “Happy To Do It” in pretty much any situation; practicing honesty, hard work, and willing to openly struggle; dedicated to having a [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Canoeing

July 20, 2009 | By John Rigney | John Rigney, Summer Challenge, Woodstock Word

I love canoeing with Summer Challenge students for a few distinct reasons. It is a simple and ‘old-school’ method of travel that requires patience and at times persistence. On calm days, in the quiet moments of canoe travel, one only hears the swish of the paddles entering and exiting the water with the quiet undertone [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Ghosts of Summer Challenge Past

July 17, 2009 | By John Rigney | John Rigney, Summer Challenge, Woodstock Word

By Guest Blogger, Kayla MacMillan It is always great to see Hyde alumni as they return and poke their head into my office. Seeing Kayla MacMillan today was no exception. Graduating in 2007, Kayla was a four year Hyde student whose growth began in the Summer Challenge Program of 2003. Having known Kayla for many [...]

Share this:

Tweet

The Answers You Don’t Know!

July 16, 2009 | By John Rigney | John Rigney, Summer Challenge, Woodstock Word

by John Rigney July 17, 2009 As a student I answered questions primarily when I believed I would be correct. It seemed like a good idea: the teacher poses a question, most students don’t raise their hand except when they know the answer. I guess I should do the same! Why is that manner of [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Mt. Monadnock

July 16, 2009 | By John Rigney | John Rigney, Summer Challenge

By John Rigney July 15, 2009 There is art and beauty in climbing mountains with students. By art I mean to say that there are moments that capture the exceptional, the stunning, the funny. Sometimes these moments are caught in a posed shot or a minor detail of the environment. Sometimes it is a candid [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Summer Challenge Photo Gallery

July 14, 2009 | Summer Challenge

Share this:

Tweet

Childish Curiosity

July 14, 2009 | By John Rigney | John Rigney, Summer Challenge, Woodstock Word

Blog #3 by John Rigney I have always been curious about many things. What would it be like to “walk” in space? How did the universe really begin? Do Robins really hear worms? (I recall learning this when I was younger). I grew up reading National Geographic and spending a great deal of time outside [...]

Share this:

Tweet

The Hero Within: Hyde Woodstock’s Summer Challenge

July 14, 2009 | By John Rigney | John Rigney, Summer Challenge

Blog #4 by John Rigney July 13, 2009 Yesterday marked the start of Hyde Woodstock’s 2009 Summer Challenge Program. This four week experience is designed with three goals in mind: Self discovery through challenge. A staple of experiential education, we learn more about ourselves when we are tested in new situations and challenge ourselves to [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Hyde-Bath Summer Challenge Week 3

July 14, 2009 | Summer Challenge

We are mid-way through our summer and working toward our goal of developing a character culture. Overall, students have approached each new challenge with an open attitude and genuine effort. Even though most of the students didn’t choose to be at Hyde, they recognize what this process has to offer. A graduate once compared Hyde [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Hyde-Bath Summer Challenge Week 2

July 14, 2009 | Summer Challenge

We returned from our wilderness camping trip yesterday afternoon and I was very proud of the entire group! Despite the damp weather, our spirits stayed high and each discovery group gained a deeper trust and bond. Everyone completed the hike and canoe trip, shared life stories and experiences around the campfire at night, prepared and [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Hyde-Bath Summer Challenge Week 1

July 14, 2009 | Summer Challenge

Our first week has been busy, fun and challenging! Here are some of the action/reflection activities we have shared: Introductions – Everyone introduced themselves in front of the school Discovery Group Challenges – team building activities that included the rock wall, trust falls, jump rope, human ladder, and human knot Timed Mile Run – everyone [...]

Share this:

Tweet

Hyde Boarding Schools

Honesty (Part I)

Top Ten Essential Components for Summer Challenge:

Student Leader Highlights

Canoeing

Ghosts of Summer Challenge Past

The Answers You Don’t Know!

Mt. Monadnock

Summer Challenge Photo Gallery

Childish Curiosity

The Hero Within: Hyde Woodstock’s Summer Challenge

Hyde-Bath Summer Challenge Week 3

Hyde-Bath Summer Challenge Week 2

Hyde-Bath Summer Challenge Week 1

I Teach Confidence

Message from the President

Hyde Boarding Schools

Hyde Public Schools