Outdoor Education

Learning at Solebury School isn’t limited to the classroom. Solebury offers various outdoor activities that take advantage of our location in Bucks County, PA, a region known for its rolling hills and state parks set alongside the Delaware River. We explore other areas of the United States, as well, by hosting multi-day trips.

Our goal is to build our students’ confidence through challenging yet fun excursions and develop an appreciation and respect for nature. Regardless of skill level, we take students outdoors to experience nature, to exercise and to inspire a sense of peace and well-being.

 

February 2019 Ski Trip

Our annual ski trip to Okemo in Vermont takes place during Mid-Winter Break, February 1-4, 2019. Here are all the details. The number of spaces is limited, and you will need to turn in this form and this permission form, as well as a $200 deposit in order to secure a spot. The spots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis and at our discretion. You can turn forms and deposits in to Sarah May, Stacie Anastasio, or Jen Perez. Contact Sarah May with any questions.

 

Rock Climbing

There’s no feeling quite like reaching the summit. Students of all abilities are welcome to join this after-school activity—no previous rock climbing experience is required! During the fall, we climb at Ralph Stover State Park High Rocks, Schwangunks, and other areas. During the winter, we climb indoors at a local rock climbing gym. An additional fee is required for indoor climbing.

 

Outdoor Club

Members of this club take part in noncompetitive outdoor activities, from canoeing to hiking—students hit the towpath located next to the Delaware River (either the Pennsylvania or New Jersey side) and try to cover anywhere from 2 to 4.5 miles per day. All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to join us!

 

Solebury Snow Sports (SSS)

Complementing an annual trip to Vermont, we take several day trips to Blue Mountain Resort in the Poconos for skiing throughout each winter. For each trip, we will leave school around 7:30am, drive up and spend the day skiing, and return around dinnertime. If you're interested, please contact Stacie Anastasio at sanastasio@volamdolong.com or Sarah Sargent at ssargent@volamdolong.com for details. In addition to these trips, SSS incorporates winter fun right here on campus, from snowshoeing to "snowman crafting" to "snowball engineering."

 

SEAC – Solebury’s Environmental Action Corps

For those with a passion for the environment, this club is a great way to advocate on its behalf. Members encourage conservation here at Solebury, as well as promote an awareness of the environmental issues facing the world today. We bring in speakers and have events on weekends. We are particularly proud to have been the driving force behind the school’s environmental improvements over the last decade, including improved recycling policies, composting in the dining hall, and the creation of a community garden.
 

About the Program Director

Jared Levy is an experienced outdoor educator. For four summers at Lake Owego Camp in Greeley, PA, he was a counselor for lake activities, rock climbing and hiking. In that time, he led two 100-mile canoe trips on the Delaware River, taught campers how to rock climb–both on adventure courses and excursions to the ’Gunks in New York–and chaperoned overnight camping trips in the local area. He’s also an outdoor adventurer, having hiked the Shenandoah section of the Appalachian Trail and sections of the Grand Canyon, as well as having explored many of the natural wonders in his father's adopted home country of New Zealand. He enjoys experiencing the outdoors with the Solebury community and sharing what he’s learned. Jared is certified in wilderness first-aid.

If you have questions about any of the above trips or activities, please email Jared at jlevy@volamdolong.com.