A white tarp tent set up in a dense forest with green and yellow foliage, moss-covered trees, and fallen leaves on the ground.

Outdoor Program

Discover the power of the outdoors to shape who you are.

At The Mountain School, learning extends beyond the classroom and into 418 acres of forest, fields, and streams in rural Vermont. Our Outdoor Program invites every student—no matter their background or experience—to build confidence, develop practical outdoor skills, and form a deep, reciprocal connection with the natural world.

From the first hike to your solo trip, you’ll learn to travel safely and comfortably in all conditions, while finding joy and resilience in time spent outside.

Person skiing on snow-covered ground with leafless trees in the background.

Outdoor Adventure

Each week, students might spend an afternoon hiking around campus, practicing essential outdoor skills such as navigation, shelter-building, knot-tying, or backcountry cooking. Whether you're learning to use a compass for the first time or refining your camp setup, these sessions teach self-reliance, teamwork, and respect for the environment.

A person with braided hair and a backpack examining a photo of a river next to a creek in a forest during the daytime.

Solo: Time Alone in the Northern Forest

A highlight of every semester, Solo is a three-night, four-day camping experience on the Mountain School campus or in the White Mountain National Forest. Students prepare throughout the semester by learning compass usage, safety protocols, and wilderness skills before spending several days alone in nature.

For many, Solo is a transformative moment—a chance to slow down, reflect, and find clarity surrounded by the sounds of the forest.

Never camped before? Don’t worry. We guide you every step of the way with group hikes, nighttime practice trips, and full gear support.

Person leaning over and examining a fallen tree trunk in a forest with autumn leaves.

Science Hike: Learning from the Land

Each week, our Science Hike brings environmental science to life. Students explore the ecosystems of our 418-acre campus, learning to identify trees, analyze land use history, and study natural patterns that shape our local environment.

Through hands-on fieldwork, you’ll deepen your understanding of ecology and develop the skills of observation and inquiry that are essential to real-world environmental science.

Three people standing in a forest, engaged in a discussion or leafing through papers, with trees and green foliage surrounding them.

School Trails: A Year-Round Outdoor Classroom

The Mountain School maintains a network of trails that wind through our forests and fields. Students use them daily—for morning runs, afternoon hikes, or quiet walks with friends and advisors.

In the winter, students learn to cross-country ski and snowshoe with school-provided gear, exploring the snowy landscape while building endurance and confidence. Whether you’re climbing Patterson Hill or camping overnight at Pine Top, our trails connect learning, community, and adventure all year long.

Four young people carrying large backpacks with sleeping mats attached, walking outdoors during the day on a grassy area with trees and houses in the background.

No Experience? No Problem.

You don’t need to be “outdoorsy” to thrive here. Many students come to The Mountain School with little to no outdoor experience and leave with a lifelong appreciation for nature and a sense of confidence that comes from meeting challenges head-on.

We provide all the gear you need—from day packs and water bottles to cross-country skis and fleece layers—so that every student can participate fully and comfortably.

What matters most is curiosity, openness, and a willingness to grow.