In 2015 we will travel to the Republic of Ireland, one of the world's most beautiful natural spaces deserving of its moniker, The Emerald Isle. Ireland has thousands of miles of ancient trails overlooking rolling hills, quiet lakes, scenic rivers, and ocean vistas. Positioned throughout the immense beauty of Ireland are quaint towns that call back to a very different era and record a turbulent past. History is present everywhere: medieval fortifications, abbeys, bridges and hedgerows; high Christian-Celtic crosses; ancient Celtic structures; and the stone shanties of the famine-era poor. Ireland's true charm, however, is the renowned warmth of its people.
We will spend our time hiking the old pilgrim trails, concentrating in Western and Southern Ireland. Our goal will be 70 kilometers over the course of our trip. We will also visit archeological and historic sites, learn about the geologic history of the island, and enjoy food and music in various towns along the way, including Dingle Town, named by National Geographic as the most beautiful place on Earth.
Every experiential learning trip is designed to test students physically, intellectually, and emotionally. We seek to develop self-reflection, personal accountability, resiliency, independence, and leadership in each of our participants. Through a range of activities they are also challenged to become strong communicators and collaborators, skills that will serve our students throughout their lives.
This trip is open to our young men and women, ages 13-17. There will be a number of training days in the spring to prepare for our trip. Students must be in good physical condition to participate.
This experience will be led by James Nelligan and John Kedrowski. Mr. Nelligan is an avid experiential educator, outdoorsman, diver, and hunter. He is a historian of science and a veteran teacher of biological and physical sciences, specializing in evolutionary biology. He has led numerous trips to Volcanoes National Monument on the Big Island of Hawai'i, and to paleontological sites in Central Oregon. Most recently, Mr. Nelligan co-led Baldwin students to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. Mr. Nelligan has made a number of trips to Ireland in the past.
Mr. Kedrowski has been creating and leading wilderness experiences for groups since 1993. These experiences have included backpacking trips in Minnesota, Michigan, Montana, and Alaska, wilderness fishing trips in Minnesota and Canada, and canoe trips on lakes and rivers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada. Mr. Kedrowski is a trained scientist who specializes in geology, and a veteran science teacher. He has co-led numerous trips with Mr. Nelligan, including our most recent trip.
This trip is planned for the last two weeks in June 2015. There are only fifteen available spots, and they are first come, first served. The trip cost, which includes meals, travel, lodging, gear rentals, guide fees, etc., is $5000. Students will have to purchase some specialty clothing items. All students must have a current passport.Registration is now closed for this trip. All spaces have been filled
Looking Ahead: Summer 2016 Headmaster's Trip will be to Iceland.