Interim has long been one of CA’s signature programs, a shining light of experiential education that harkens all the way back to the school’s halcyon days of the 1960s when Head of School Chuck Froelicher helped found Outward Bound in Colorado.

 

This year’s Interim brochure once again offers a wide range of choices. Some of these are highly adventurous and/or outdoors-oriented, others allow students to develop a new skill while remaining local. Titles range from Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness Backpacking to The Wonderful World of Glassblowing to Photo Road Trip. There are a total of 33 different choices for our 411 Upper School students. One of these is a science-based trip to Belize, which students already selected. Every year we incorporate at least one global travel opportunity into this week.

 

With seniority comes some perks, so seniors always get to make their selections first. They chose in person last Tuesday, March 6.  Students in the other three grades prioritize their preferences on-line and, based on a lottery system, are placed into their highest available Interim in order. The goal is to make these selections known to all students by Friday, March 16.

 

Although the cost is not insignificant and the logistics are complicated, we have maintained our commitment to this signature program. Our students really do love these Interim trips.  They look forward to the week in May when we completely change the pace and take them out of their comfort zones. We remove them from the usual classroom setting and bring them into the “great beyond” of life.  Because so much of our usual academic, arts and athletics programs are so precisely planned, students really do value the sense of spontaneity and surprise that comes with an Interim.  They have a blast simply being open to the surprise and wonder.  Interim is experiential education at its best.