“May Term is quintessentially Watershed,” said Head of School, Tim Breen. “It brings all seven of our Design Principles together to create an annual, immersive experience for our students that is truly impactful, truly Watershed.”
A unique, month-long course, May Term integrates in-depth study of a complex topic with overnight travel across the country and around the world. May Term provides opportunities for students to venture into new surroundings, challenge themselves, and study a topic deeply with experts and through primary source material. The experience is simultaneously exhilarating and intense and invariably results in significant personal and intellectual growth.
Liran ‘21 reflects, “May Term is one of the best parts of Watershed! I return each time with a whole new layer of perspective on the world and having developed new and lasting friendships. Every May Term has put me in some kind of uncomfortable situation, but with the support I’ve needed to really grow from that discomfort. In Guatemala, I pushed myself emotionally. In Iceland, I was challenged academically. Because of COVID we don’t have international trips this year, so I chose canyoneering. I’m afraid of close spaces. I’m afraid of heights. I’m going to be uncomfortable, probably scared. I know from my previous five May Terms that I’ll be both challenged and supported through my discomfort by the instructors and students on my trip. I can’t wait to see what I learn from this year’s May Term!”
After a year of staying close to home, we are excited to get back out into the world for May Term. While we are not engaging in international travel or getting on airplanes due to COVID, we will be traveling!
In 6th and 7th grade, students will explore two water-based courses. Each course is two weeks long and students will study water health, river ecosystems, climate change, medical training, ichthyology, or creative writing, all while rafting, canoeing, fishing, or hiking. These courses are grouped by grade level, giving each student an opportunity to get to know their class peers better. 8th graders will engage in a Watershed tradition: a Passages course for May Term. This year it incorporates principles from the “Rock Warrior’s Way.”
High school students had multiple courses to choose from this year. One, a local option, is a course in which students will photograph the front range, exploring how to capture the world around us artistically. The other courses provide hands-on learning adventures in different regions of the West and topics include environmental ethics, U.S. history, literature of the American West, and leadership skills. Students and educators will have adventures canyoneering near San Rafael Swell while reading works by great Southwestern writers, paddling the Missouri River following the path of Lewis and Clark, and hiking through the Gila wilderness learning what it means to lead wilderness expeditions. High school students also have an option to propose an independent study, pursuing a personal passion or striving to make a difference in our world.
We are grateful that students will have the opportunity to get out in the field this May Term, seeking challenge and opening themselves up to learning and growth. Be sure to check out Watershed’s Facebook and Instagram accounts this spring for May Term updates and photos!
