not bound by walls.
Outdoor life and adventure have been part of the school's ethos since the beginning. Frederick Gunn himself set the tone and the bar. What students discover outdoors - learning to risk, problem solve, lead collaborate and dealing with a world that won't conform to their every desire - is striking. The outdoors gives us life lessons that we hold on to forever.
the tradition of our all school walk
A feature of student life since Frederick Gunn's legendary 42-mile hike to Milford, CT on Long Island Sound in 1861, this tradition is celebrated every fall as students take a day off from classes to embark on an 8 mile hike. Putting yourself deep into the woods can feel like a risk, but the rewards are remarkable and the memories are forever.
Nature
Writing
Take part in a reading and writing course studying New England essayists and poets. Students in this class will spend time outside looking, listening and exploring the natural world that surrounds us. Through this course, students will see the world in new ways learning to express themselves in a variety of written genres and personal essays.
Honors in outdoor leadership
A program offering next level experiences in outdoor skills and leadership. Courses are paired with exclusive hiking, backpacking and camping excursions that are paired with lifeguarding, Leave No Trace and wilderness first aid. Students will complete a senior capstone project emphasizing sustainability, adventure and independence.
Meet the director
Nick DePreter is the Associate Director of Outdoor Programs. He also teaches English and Pathways, which is part of the Center for Citizenship & Just Democracy curriculum, and coaches Ultimate Frisbee and Highlander X, a co-curricular program that combines outdoor leadership, fitness, and community service. Nick holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in education from Truman State University, where he competed in ultimate frisbee, rugby, roller hockey, and mountain biking. Nick came to Gunn from The Horace Mann School in Washington, Connecticut, where he served as Director of the John Dorr Nature Lab.