New England
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August 4, 2021
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Two students in a kayak out on the open water

Tuesday was undoubtedly one of the most memorable days of the 2021 New England High School Summer Program. After presenting Euclidean propositions in their morning class, many students attended midday Mass and then enjoyed a quick lunch before heading back to the residence halls to change for an afternoon on the Connecticut River. Prefects bused small groups of students to a dock at the other end of Northfield, where kayaks and a beautiful shoreline picnic awaited them. 

For the better part of the afternoon, the group took in the spectacular views while paddling up and down the majestic river, and the cool water made for a nice contrast with the hot, sunny day. Some also partook in games of volleyball and Spike Ball, or just sat at one of the pavilions for a chat with friends. 

Kayaking on the Connecticut
  • Two students seated on a bench at the river
  • Two students in life vests kayaking
  • The entire fleet of kayaks, strung out across the river
  • Two students in a blue kayak
  • Eight students at the water's edge, putting on life vests and pointing at the camera
  • Two in a kayak, with a motorboat visible in the distance
  • Two students carry a kayak down to the water
  • Two pairs of students haul their respective kayaks down the the water
  • Another pair of students carry a blue kayak
  • A large group of students on a short pier, launching kayaks
  • Several students splashing about in the water near the pier
  • Two students in a kayak, and another in a single-seater a little farther off
  • Two in a blue kayak pass by the pier
  • Two students in an orange kayak, overhead shot
  • A game of volleyball takes place in a nearby field with a view of the water
  • Two students relaxing on the grass
  • A game of Spikeball afront a small sheltered table area

Alas, as the sun began to drop, it was time to return to campus, but the day’s activities were far from over!

There were more plans to come for the evening ahead, and in the meantime there were still homework assignments to be completed for Wednesday’s classes. And so, after reluctantly departing from the river, students met up for a study period in Dolben Library. The group was impressively focused as students continued their reading of Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy, and it was excitedly engaged when students and prefects made their way to various classrooms to practice the next day’s Euclidean propositions.

When study was over, students put their books back in their rooms, then drove two minutes down the road for an evening at a drive-in movie theater. Steve Wiggin, the campus’ maintenance manager who also happens to own the drive-in, reserved the night just for the Summer Program. After enjoying dinner and treats from the snack bar — as well as an incredibly beautiful sunset — everyone settled down to watch the classic film Cinderella Man. 

Night at the Drive-in
  • Students begin to fill in the rows of chairs outside on the grass at the drive-in
  • Frs. Miguel and Markey chatting with the students
  • Three pose for a photo afront the snack bar
  • Two pose for a photo afront the treeline
  • Some students smile for the camera
  • Another group of students smiles at the camera
  • Three students pose for a picture
  • Four prefects pose afront the snack bar
  • TAC summer workers seated on the tailgate of a minivan
  • The prefects play beanbags: David Carey throws blue
  • Students and prefects line up to place orders at the snack shop counter
  • Two students pose for a photo near the chairs as the sun sets
  • Four pose together as the sun sets in purple, pink, and gold

When the movie came to an end, the drowsy but happy programmers returned to their residence halls for a good night’s sleep. We’re back to a full schedule of classes today. To see how students managed with their propositions and Boethius readings, be sure to revisit the SummerBlog this afternoon!