Outdoor Program

Taking full advantage of our spectacular mountain setting, the Outdoor Program at North Country School ranges from a walk in the woods with a sketchpad to ambitious multi-day hiking, climbing, or canoeing expeditions. The program encompasses out-times, weekend trips, on and off-campus overnights, and longer adventures to far-off destinations—all of which encourage students to take risks, acquire new skills, and gain in confidence, resilience, and resourcefulness. All gear (except personal clothing) is provided by School.

Hiking, backpacking, and camping are staples of School throughout the year, both on campus trails, lean-tos, and tent platforms and further afield into the Adirondack Park. A graduation requirement for every student is to climb Cascade Mountain, the High Peak in our own backyard. A short-lived season of lakefront activities gives way to winter-time skating, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and skiing (Nordic, alpine, and telemark). Rock and ice climbing are highly popular with our students, supported by first-rate instructors and outstanding facilities, including an indoor climbing wall and the Crag, an on-campus climbing area with 36 routes of varying difficulty. With our own herd of a dozen horses, two riding rings, and miles of mountain trails, horseback riding also attracts its share of enthusiasts; the year-end equestrian drill team performance is a traditional highlight of our graduation festivities.