winter web 2010:Layout 1 - Lawrence Academy

Winterim 2010 

Peru: A Journey of the Heart 

(at Macchu Picchu) 

Something Different

Introduction Page 1 

Course Sign-Up Form Page 3 

Liability Waiver Form Page 4 

Course Desciptions: 

Winterim Professionals Page 5 

Andes & Amazon Adventure Page 5 

ARC Volunteers Page 6 

The Bahamas: A Kayaking and Snorkeling Experience Page 6 

Casa Cayuco, Panama Page 7 

Chess Page 7 

Costa Rican Adventure Page 8 

Digital Photography: Boston to Maine Page 8 

The Dominican Service Project Page 9 

Food for the Health of It Page 9 

Going Green in the French Alps Page 10 

Headstart in Lawrence and Lowell—Community Service Page 10 

International Partners in El Salvador Page 11 

Iron Chef, LA Page 11 

Mountain Biking in the Sonoran Desert Page 12 

Peru: A Journey of the Heart Page 12 

Quilting is Sew Easy Page 13 

Rafting in Tropical Mexico Page 13 

RUaDgtalNativ? 21st-Century Social Media Tools Page 14 

The Rugged Leprechaun Page 14 

The Something for Nothing Players Touring Children’s Theatre Page 15 

Sports Journalism Page 15 

Stained Glass Creations Page 16 

The System Page 16 

Talk with Your Hands – Learn to Communicate in ASL Page 17 

The Total Mountain Experience: Skiing, Boarding, and Beyond Page 17 

Turn, Baby, Turn! Page 18 

Underwater Discovery Page 18 

Who Goes There? Page 19 

Yellowstone: Ecosystem Exploration and Nature Photography Page 19 

Yoga Beyond the Mat Page 20

Winterim is something very different. It is an opportunity 

to explore a wider range of subjects and skills than is 

otherwise possible in a regular classroom, through risktaking, 

discovery, inquiry and reflection. It is a chance to 

learn in a variety of settings and from an unique variety 

of professionals. It encourages deeper, more intense 

faculty-student relationships as we redefine our roles of 

student and teacher in side-by-side endeavors. Winterim 

is the centerpiece of Lawrence Academy’s commitment to 

experiential education—learning in the concrete and 

physical world of activity as a complement to learning in 

the vicarious and symbol-filled world of traditional 

classrooms. In short, Winterim reminds us that learning 

is not restricted to classrooms and books, and that 

students are not only adolescents. It reminds us that 

learning is a lifelong adventure and joy. 

Course Selection 

On page 3, you will find the Course Sign-Up Form. Parents 

should take an early and active role in helping their children 

select courses which would be most stimulating and beneficial 

for them. Please note that some course descriptions include 

advisories with important information about health and skill 

requirements, as well as information about early departures and 

late returns. Since it is not possible for each student to get his 

or her first choice, it is very important that students consider 

their second, third, fourth, and fifth choices very carefully, as 

chance may easily put them in these courses. 

Note: Students may not enroll in the same course twice during 

their time at Lawrence Academy. 

Senior and junior selections are due by 3:00 p.m. on 

Wednesday, December 2, 2009. 

Sophomore and freshman selections are due by 3:00 p.m. 

on Tuesday, December 8, 2009. 

The later sign-up for sophomores and freshmen is designed to 

allow those students to see what courses remain open to them 

after senior and junior selections have taken place. Students 

who might not see their families prior to these dates can secure 

the necessary parent permission in two ways: 

1. Having their families sign permission for a number of 

courses (more than five) over Thanksgiving vacation. 

2. Having their families phone or fax permission to the school 

in care of David Smith, Winterim director. 

Credit 

Winterim is a graduation requirement and must be passed. If a 

student does not earn credit for a Winterim course, he or she 

will be required to make up the missing requirement during 

the following summer. To make up this obligation, students 

may either enroll in a two-week (or longer) Outward Bound 

course (or similar, approved program) or they may perform 

50 hours of community service. In the event that students 

select the latter, the community service site coordinator must 

contact the Winterim director before approval will be granted. 

Students should understand that all school rules, including 

the prohibition of alcohol or illegal drugs, both on and off 

campus, remain in force during Winterim. Violations will 

result in disciplinary action and could result in the loss of 

Winterim credit. 

Absences 

Winterim runs from Monday, March 8, until 3:00 p.m. on 

Friday, March 19. Given the short, intensive nature of the 

program, absences are not permitted. Any absences may result 

in loss of Winterim credit and will require summer make-up. 

Legitimate illnesses and emergencies will be dealt with on an 

individual basis, but the time will quickly come when too 

much of the course has been missed. In the spirit of course 

completion and group experience, early departures for vacation 

will result in automatic loss of credit. 

Financial Aid 

There are two sources of financial aid. The first is a fund 

established by the Saltonstall family in memory of their 

daughter Claire. The second is money raised in the annual 

Gagné Winterim Classic Golf Tournament. Although seniority 

is taken into consideration when evaluating financial aid 

requests, anyone in any class may apply for a modest grant. 

In addition, seniors on financial aid may apply for Winterim 

aid through a special fund. The deadline for applications for 

financial aid is Monday, November 9. 

Financial Risk and Insurance 

Once a student is placed in a course, the school begins to 

make financial commitments based on the expectation of 

the student’s participation in that course. For this reason, the 

families are responsible for the cost of that course even if the 

student must drop the course, regardless of the reason. 

Additionally, if their child needs to enroll in another course, 

the family is also obligated to pay the cost of the new course. 

The risk of travel cancellations has increased greatly since 9/11 

and with the rising threat of pandemics such as the H1N1 

virus. For this reason, all students in travel courses will be 

required to purchase travel insurance through a group policy 

offered by the school. School decisions about whether to cancel 

travel courses will be guided by the prudent monitoring of 

developing circumstances in individual locals and by State 

Department advisories. 

The On-Campus Program 

The on-campus Winterim program runs in the spirit of the 

off-campus program. Therefore, all boarding students are 

required to participate in evening activities that are designed to 

be enjoyable and to bring the residential community together. 

Students may relax and socialize on their own during the late 

afternoon when their courses end for the day. After dinner, 

Mondays through Thursdays, they either choose an activity 

from a few different options or participate in an activity for 

everyone. To help defray the cost of these activities, all boarders 

in on-campus courses will be assessed an $85 activity fee for 

the two weeks. Day students are welcome and encouraged to 

attend any of these activities by signing up for them in 

advance. They will be charged a fee on a per-activity basis. 

Winterim 2010 1

Course Sign-Up Form 

Student Name: Grade: 9th 10th 11th 12th (please circle one) 

Fill out both sides of this form completely and submit it to the director of Winterim by the deadline. 

Senior and junior forms are due at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2009. 

Sophomore and freshman forms are due at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 8, 2009. 

Parents and guardians should take an active role in Winterim course selection. Final decisions about travel courses 

will be guided by developing circumstances and by State Department travel advisories. Please note that some course 

descriptions include advisories with important information about health and skill requirements, as well as early 

departures and late returns. 

I hereby permit 

to take the following Winterim courses: 

1. $ 

2. $ 

3. $ 

4. $ 

5. $ 

In signing this permission, I/we assume the risk that, if my/our child must drop the course after being placed in it, 

I/we will remain responsible for the cost of the course (see section on Financial Risk in the introduction). 

Deposits for off-campus programs will be billed as soon as course placement is confirmed. 

Parent/Guardian Signature 

Please complete the liability waiver on the back of this form ➤ 


Liability Waiver Form 

for Participation in the Lawrence Academy Winterim Program 

The parties to this release are ___________________________ (student), _________________________ (student’s 

parents or legal guardian if student is under 18, all referred to hereafter jointly and severally as “student”) and Lawrence 

Academy. The student, with the consent of the student’s parents or legal guardian, has chosen to participate in the 

Winterim program (hereafter “program”) during the month of March 2010. 

Assumption of Risk 

I understand and accept that participation in the program may expose participants to increased physical risks. Some of 

the risks which may be present or occur include, but are not limited to, those associated with the following activities 

(some of which may be associated only with certain trips): travel—by plane, automobile, boats or on foot—snorkeling 

and swimming, the forces of nature (including, but not limited to, lightning, major storms and strong sun), the 

physical exertion associated with outdoor activity and/or a rigorous exercise program, injuries inflicted by animals, 

insects, reptiles, or plants, SCUBA diving, unfamiliar or different food, drink, customs, laws, driving practices, diseases 

and health care, and the hazards of traveling in steep terrain, including falling. 

Adherence to Standards 

Student understands and agrees to abide by all policies, rules, and regulations of Lawrence Academy and all rules, 

regulations, and laws of the respective countries to be visited. Student further agrees to obey all rules, directions, and 

precautions issued by Lawrence Academy or its representatives, by any associated individuals, institutions, or 

organizations, or by the United States Government. 

Release of Liability 

In consideration of participation in this program, I have and do hereby release and hold harmless Lawrence Academy 

and all its employees, trustees, faculty, representatives and agents (hereafter, “released parties”) from any and all liability, 

actions, causes of action, claims or demands of every kind and nature whatsoever and specifically any claim for 

negligence or negligent acts which may arise out of, or in connection with the student’s involvement in the Winterim 

program. Student further releases and discharges the released parties from responsibility for any accident, illness, injury, 

or any other consequences arising or resulting directly or indirectly from student’s participation in the Program. The 

student recognizes and agrees that the released parties assume no responsibility for any liability, damage, or injury that 

may be caused by student’s negligence or willful acts committed prior to, during, or after participation in the Program, 

or for any liability, damage, or injury caused by the intentional or negligent acts or omissions of any other participant 

in the Program, or caused by any other person. The terms hereof shall serve as a release, indemnification, and 

assumption of risk for the student’s heirs, executors, representatives, attorneys and administrators, and for all members 

of the student’s family, including any minors. I agree that the foregoing obligation shall be binding. 

I have carefully read this agreement and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and 

a contract between me and Lawrence Academy and/or the affiliated organizations and sign it of my own free will. 

Parent/Guardian name Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date 

4 Winterim 2010

Course Descriptions 

Winterim Professionals 

Mr. Sheppard and Mr. Sheehan ’87 

Maximum Students: 20 

No cost 

The only independent-study option offered during Winterim, 

The Professionals affords up to 20 students the chance to 

experience the life of a working professional for two weeks in a 

chosen field of interest. In recent years, students have worked 

along side lawyers, physicians, advertising executives, artists, 

small-business managers, and countless others. Participants are 

granted Winterim credit on the basis of a required daily journal 

and a written evaluation from their professional sponsors. 

The application process takes place during October and early 

November, before the Winterim sign-up. Because professional 

internships are approved well in advance of that date, these 

students do not go through the regular course sign-up 

and lottery. 

All students are eligible for The Professionals except freshmen 

and new sophomores. Internships must take place in the 

United States or Canada only. (Exceptions will be rare and 

granted only upon absolute assurance that foreign sponsors can 

communicate fluently in English.) Internships may not be 

under the supervision of an immediate family member (parent 

or sibling). The internship must expose the student in an active 

way to the realities and rewards of the profession. Doing 

clerical or other “go-for” work is not acceptable. The goal 

of the program is to give students a real understanding of a 

profession from the inside, so that they can judge whether that 

profession is a potential career path. 

Students interested in The Professionals should have an idea in 

mind early in the school year, and it is strongly suggested that 

they identify a sponsor before completing the preliminary 

application in October. 

Signing up for The Professionals constitutes a commitment for 

Winterim. Professionals may not be used as backups for regular 

Winterim courses. 

Andes & Amazon Adventure 

Ms. Steward and Ms. Ryan 

Maximum students: 16 

Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: This course will involve some physical challenges. 

Students may be required to have certain inoculations. A valid 

passport for U.S. citizens and additional travel documents for 

international students are required. The purchase of travel 

insurance is mandatory. Note: This course will return on 

Saturday, March 20. 

What will I do during this course? 

This Winterim has it all! Two service projects will give you an 

authentic glimpse into everyday Ecuadorian life, something 

most tourists do not experience. You’ll assist with reforestation 

efforts and decend into the Amazon Basin to help restore a 

school. You will also study distinct ecosystems from many 

vantage points. You’ll be “clipped” to a harness for a breathtaking 

two mile zip-line tour of the surrounding cloud forest 

canopy. A tubing adventure down the Mindo River will give 

you a whole different perspective. You’ll get a rare opportunity 

to straddle the equator with one foot in each hemisphere. Can 

you really balance an egg at zero degrees latitude? You’ll 

investigate volcanoes by foot and by horseback and, later, soak 

in thermal baths which are naturally heated by the surrounding 

volcanoes. Whitewater rafts will carry you for 15 miles down 

the Upper Napo River, one of the main tributaries feeding the 

Amazon River from the Andes Mountains over Class 3 rapids! 

What will I learn in this course? 

This small Andean nation is home to over 13 ethnicities and 

indigenous languages and boasts more species of birds and 

wildlife than almost any other country on the planet. You will 

learn about native plants and trees, why it’s important to 

protect their ecosystems, and why the Ecuadorian government 

imported and forested so many non-native species in the 19th 

century. You will be studying, comparing and contrasting local 

habitats, ecosystems, and micro-climates. You will become 

immersed in this culture and have countless opportunities to 

speak Spanish and learn the native language, Kichwa. You’ll 

learn how to cook your own Andean meals and how to make 

ancient handicrafts, play local instruments, and dance to 

traditional music with your hosts. 

Who will lead this course? 

Damon Corkin ’95, director of Andean Discovery, and his staff 

will accompany the group throughout our stay. Holly Steward, 

leader of 11 scuba diving Winterims along with Theresa Ryan, 

a math teacher and outdoor enthusiast, will co-lead this 

Winterim. To learn more about our hosts, visit their Web site 

at www.AndeanDiscovery.com. 


ARC Volunteers 

Dr. Haman 


No cost 


Are you an outgoing person who enjoys getting to know 

different people? Is helping others something that you really 

like to do? During this course, students will spend each day 

volunteering at ARC Community Services, a center in 

Fitchburg, Massachusetts, which provides employment and 

daily activities for adults with mental and physical handicaps. 

Students will help out by participating in a variety of activities 

with the individuals who attend the day programs there. The 

daily schedule will include taking part in craft projects and 

games, helping with educational training, assisting ARC staff 

with activities, and accompanying ARC participants as they go 

out into the community for recreation. 


The goal of this course is to give students an opportunity to 

help others while they enrich their own lives by getting to 

know people who are different from themselves. Participants in 

this course will interact with ARC clients every day, and they 

will learn about the challenges that individuals with special 

needs face in their daily lives. Participants in this Winterim 

course will need to be actively and willingly involved in all 

activities. They should be friendly, outgoing, patient, and 

ready to extend themselves to join in activities and establish 

relationships with the people who attend ARC’s programs. 

Students will also maintain a daily journal of reflections about 

their experiences. They will be expected to join actively in 

group discussions as well. Each student will submit a final 

essay based on personal reactions to the two-week experience. 


Lawrence Academy faculty member Mark Haman will be 

present and involved in all aspects of orientation, training, 

and volunteering. Staff members at the ARC will also work 

with Lawrence Academy students. 

The Bahamas: A Kayaking and 

Snorkeling Experience 

Mr. Burkholz and Ms. Sheara Friend 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: Students must be able to swim. Students may be 

required to have certain inoculations. A valid passport for 

U.S. citizens and additional travel documents for international 

students are required. The purchase of travel insurance 

is mandatory. 


Students will kayak through a variety of beautiful settings in 

the untouched, remote “out islands” of the Bahamas. The 

Exumas and the Brigantine Islands are the real Bahamas, where 

we will explore the pristine landscapes and incredible coral 

reefs. Our group will be completely self-sufficient, camping on 

the beautiful white sands beaches of different islands and cays, 

preparing meals, and sharing group responsibilities. We will 

snorkel along the coral reefs which abound in these crystal 

clear, warm waters and explore the busy undersea community 

of exotic creatures to understand its complex ecosystems. 

Other activities will include fishing, swimming, visiting a 

beach-side marine research facility, and interacting and playing 

sports with students when we visit a school near Barra Terre. 


Students will learn a variety of skills and knowledge, including 

minimum impact camping, sea kayak expeditioning, and 

snorkeling. Students will experience cultural interaction and 

learn about marine ecosystems when exploring the almost 

endless reefs in this remote Caribbean region. Students will 

learn about the history of the region, including that of the 

local Bahamian culture. There will be numerous opportunities 

to gain leadership and communication skills and build 

confidence through group activities. While this expedition will 

be exciting and adventurous, safety will be our first concern. 

Who will lead the course? 

Our two guides will be from Wilderness Inquiry. They are 

professional environmental educators with wilderness safety 

certification. Lawrence Academy faculty member Mark 

Burkholz has co-led Outdoor Adventure at LA for 18 years 

and is an outdoor adventure enthusiast. Sheara Friend has 

been on six previous Winterims and is also an outdoor 

adventure enthusiast. 


Casa Cayuco, Panama 

Mr. Durmer and Ms. Pine 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: Students must be able to swim and are advised to 

visit their physician or a travel clinic to receive precautionary 

inoculations for yellow fever, typhoid, malaria, hepatitis A, and 

a tetanus booster. Valid passports are mandatory, as are additional 

travel documents for international students. The purchase of 

travel insurance is mandatory. 


We will explore the rich ecosystem and culture of Panama. 

We will fly into the cosmopolitan capital Panama City and 

have the opportunity to see the historic expansion underway 

at the Panama Canal, the crossroad between Central and South 

America. We will then travel to more remote, undeveloped 

regions of the country. From the home base of the ecolodge 

Casa Cayuco, we will travel (by foot, kayak, and boat) to two 

nearby indigenous villages to participate in service projects and 

to work and play with the local inhabitants. Projects may range 

in scope from teaching English classes to building water 

catchments or constructing community facilities. While at the 

villages, students will have the opportunity to cook with the 

local women, work with the local men (yes, there is still a 

distinct division of labor in this part of Panama, but both male 

and female LA students participate in all the activities), and 

play sports with the children. We will spend the night in one 

of the villages and learn about local customs. This course will 

also offer some outdoor adventure activities such as snorkeling, 

surfing, sailing, and kayaking. We will explore the local ecology 

and agriculture with jungle hikes to a turtle nesting beach and 

a local organic chocolate farm. 


Students will live in the tropical environment and immerse 

themselves in the culture of the indigenous people of the Bocas 

del Toro region. They will develop their communication skills 

(in English and in Spanish) and interpersonal skills and gain 

an awareness and appreciation of other cultures. They will 

discover the joy in working with and helping others. In 

addition to community service projects, students will have the 

opportunity to learn new skills such as how to snorkel, surf, 

kayak, and sail. They will receive instruction in water safety 

and principles and practices of sound outdoor traveling. 

Students will also learn about ecological issues in the area, 

systems that support the ecolodge, and theories and practices 

of sustainable tourism and development. 


This course will be led by LA parents Tom and Linda 

Kimbrell, who own and operate Casa Cayuco ecolodge. 

Tom has over 30 years of experience as an Outward Bound 

instructor and wilderness guide. Linda has over 20 years of 

experience as a high-school teacher and has led numerous 

student trips overseas and in the wilderness. Both are proficient 

in Spanish. Tom is a Wilderness First Responder and Linda is 

certified in Advanced Wilderness First Aid as well. The faculty 

leaders on this trip are Eli Durmer and Jessica Pine. Mr. 

Durmer is a science teacher in the Ninth Grade Program. He 

has led student trips trekking and whale watching in Baja, 

Mexico, helping with Katrina relief in New Orleans, and dog 

sledding and winter camping in the Boundary Waters of 

Minnesota. Ms. Pine teaches in the NGP. She has led trips 

with the Verde Valley School in Sedona, Arizona, to New 

Orleans, Louisiana, and Baja, Mexico. She is certified in 

Wilderness First Aid. Ms. Pine and Mr. Durmer are eager to 

participate in community service projects in Panama, and they 

look forward to seeing the wildlife in the region of Casa Cayuco. 

Chess 

Mr. Dawson and Mr. Curran 


Cost: $150 


This course will allow students to explore the game of chess 

and learn why its depth and variations have fascinated players 

for centuries. Students will learn the basics through instructional 

talks and exercises, and, most importantly, by playing the game 

with each other. Friendly competition will be encouraged as 

students try to outplay each other in a ladder format as well as 

during in-house tournaments. A professional player will attend 

several sessions in order to teach more advanced strategies and 

tactics. As students’ skills increase, both their level of play and 

their enjoyment of the game will increase. Their knowledge 

and understanding of the game will be filled out through 

learning the history of the game and watching related films. 

Weather permitting, we will take a trip to Harvard Square in 

Cambridge to play at the public boards there. 


Chess increases a player’s ability to think both stategically and 

tactically. Remaining aware of the options, variations, threats, 

and potential attacks existing in every chess position hones the 

student’s perceptive abilities and memory. Many parallels can 

be drawn between the skills needed to excel in chess and the 

skills needed to succeed in life. 


LA faculty members Zack Dawson and John Curran are avid 

chess players and are eager to teach others the beauty and 

educational value of chess. 


Costa Rican Adventure 

Mr. Johnson and Ms. Babin 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: Students must be able to swim. Students may be 

required to have certain inoculations. A valid passport for 

U.S. citizens and additional travel documents for international 

students are required. The purchase of travel insurance 

is mandatory. 


There is no better way to experience the amazing natural 

wonders of Costa Rica than by paddling through its networks 

of rivers, lagoons, and canals. This will be how we spend our 

days in Costa Rican Adventure. Led by professional river 

guides, we will set up a base camps in the Tortuguero National 

Park, renowned for it rich biodiversity, and on the Pacuare 

River in a tropical encampment. Our days will be filled with 

trips to pristine beaches, hikes with expert guides in the lush 

forests, swimming in hot springs, and tree planting as part of 

the U.N.’s Billion Tree Campaign. The trip will end where it 

began, in San Jose, with a final hike up to the Arenal Volcano. 


Students will experience the challenges and rewards of living 

simply in a lush tropical forest. The biodiversity of Costa Rica 

is a rich learning environment, and, with the help of our 

guides, we will practice low-impact camping, learning to live in 

the forest with respect and care. Our accommodations will 

often be tents and our transportation a kayak and a paddle. 

Students will acquire skills such as paddling, setting up campsites, 

and navigating trails and rivers. No previous experience is 

required, only an enthusiasm for the challenge of the outdoors. 


The LA leadership of the course will be teachers Scott Johnson 

and Kathryn Babin. Mr. Johnson has led numerous wilderness 

river trips for LA and heads the Outdoor Adventure program. 

Ms. Babin has worked at a wilderness canoe camp for seven 

summers and is certified in Wilderness First Aid and 

Lifesaving. The trip has been custom designed and will be led 

by two guides from the Wilds of Maine Guide Service, a group 

that LA has worked with for several years. Our guides have 

Advanced Wilderness First Aid certifications, are highly 

talented waterways guides, and have traveled in this region of 

Costa Rica several times. We will also be joined by local guides 

and experts. 

Digital Photography: 

Boston to Maine 

Mrs. McGowan and Mr. John Rooney 


Cost: $800 

Advisory: You will be spending a good amount of time in the 

outdoors. March in Massachusetts and Maine can be cold. 

A digital camera is required. If obtaining a camera poses a 

problem, please see Mrs. McGowan. 


The camera will be your license to go places you have never 

gone before and talk to interesting people you wouldn’t 

ordinarily meet. In the first week, we will be making field trips 

to places in the LA vicinity. The culture and faces of Boston’s 

North End will provide worthy subjects for your photojournalistic 

creations. For week two, pack your bags! We’re headed to Ferry 

Beach Ecology Center in Saco, Maine. This will be our home 

base for the week. Think of focusing your lens on the rugged 

coastline, colorful fishing boats, fog, and local characters. We’ll 

take the ferry to Peak’s Island to visit a renowned photographer 

in his studio. Evenings will be spent uploading the day’s photos 

and editing using Photoshop CS3. Students will be presenting 

their work on Winterim Wrap-Up Night in April. 


Has the photography world gone digital? You will be learning 

how to shoot in digital as well as what is involved in the 

post-production of digital images. What goes into creating a 

cohesive visual story of a place? You will learn to explore and 

document through photography. Portraiture—both studio 

and environmental—as well as landscape photography will be 

studied. All aspects of fine art photography as a means of 

personal expression will be stressed. 


Laurie McGowan has been a professional photographer and 

educator for many years. She currently teaches at LA in 

addition to doing freelance and exhibition work. John Rooney 

is a professional photographer who works in the commercial 

and nonprofit sector. He has been teaching Winterim for many 

years. The staff of the Ferry Beach Ecological Center will be 

guiding us along the Maine Coast. 


The Dominican Service Project 

Ms. Trask and Mr. Scott Smith 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: Students may be required to have certain 

inoculations. A valid passport for U.S. citizens and additional 

travel documents for international students are required. The 

purchase of travel insurance is mandatory. 


Do you enjoy spending time with kids? Building, painting, or 

working outside? Sliding down waterfalls? Making your own 

chocolate? Learning a new language? How about doing all of 

this in a beautiful, tropical setting and making a big difference 

in the growth and education of an entire community? If this 

sounds good to you, then consider participating in The 

Dominican Service Winterim, where the children of La 

Cienaga, a small but rapidly expanding community, need your 

help. We’ll be joining forces with Cabarete Coffee Company, 

an organization that works to build sustainable communities, 

and Tres Mariposas, nonprofit humanitarian organization. 

We will build a school playground using recycled materials. 

We will repaint the school and build colorful signs to help the 

community see the school’s worth as an educational center. We 

will work directly with the kids both inside their classrooms 

before and out at recess, reading to them, playing games, 

singing songs, and learning what they have to teach us. We will 

also have the chance to explore the surrounding Dominican 

culture by learning how to dig for crabs and fish with the 

locals and by experiencing the local wildlife through touring 

and by spending a morning jumping and sliding down 

Damajagua waterfalls. Finally, we will have the chance to make 

our own chocolate from scratch. 


The experience of visiting an area of desperate poverty and 

working hand-in-hand with people of another culture can be 

life-changing. You will also have interracial and intercultural 

experiences that will allow you to learn as well as teach. Having 

the chance to make friends and get close to the children of this 

area in the Dominican Republic will also give you the chance 

to experience a different language in an immersion setting. 

Food for the Health of It 

Dr. Greene and Mr. Kaiser 


Cost: $400 

What will I do in this course? 

Should we be more concerned about the foods we choose to 

eat? Are organic foods more tasty, nourishing, and healthy for 

us? Do we need to be more mindful of land use and water 

conservation? In this course, we will explore several topics of 

interest in food production. Our course will be based at Twin 

Valley Farm in Pepperell, where you will care for animals, drive 

a tractor, and observe farm machinery in use. One afternoon 

will be led by Dr. Albert Andersen, a large animal veterinarian, 

who will examine livestock and use ultrasound and x-ray to 

examine the anatomical structure of both cows and horses. 

We will alternate the field trips with activities at Lawrence 

Academy, where we will compare how different soils and 

fertilizers affect plant growth; build a cold frame; and grow 

seedlings for transplant. Finally, we will taste test a variety of 

different foods, compare their nutritional values, and discuss 

how and what we should eat. 


In this course, you will learn about the source and the quality 

of the foods you eat. You will learn about the effect of soil 

composition and fertilizer on plant growth. You will learn 

about and participate in veterinary diagnostic imaging of cows 

and horses, and Dr. Andersen will explain possible career 

options in the field of animal science. If Mother Nature 

cooperates, you will see the birth of a calf and see the mother 

caring for her newborn. 


The course will be taught by Dr. Barbara Greene, who teaches 

chemistry and biology at Lawrence Academy, and by Mr. Jon 

Kaiser, a faculty member at Lawrence Academy and the owner 

of Twin Valley Farm. Dr. Albert Andersen, a large animal 

practitioner, will work with the students on one day. 


This is the fourth service Winterim to the Dominican 

Republic co-led by Scott Smith and Meghan Trask. Our work 

on the island will be overseen personally by Ms. Tricia Suriel, 

executive director of the Tres Mariposas foundation. Ms. Suriel 

was awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award from the U.S. 

embassy in the Dominican Republic, which recognizes 

contributions made by a U.S. citizen overseas. 


Going Green in the French Alps 

Ms. Phillips and Ms. Whitney 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: This is not a sophisticated skiing vacation–we will 

be living in an ecolodge where students will take part in the 

daily life of a green environment. Students may bring only 

one (1) bag or suitcase, and they must be able to carry it 

themselves. In the Alps, we will be working and learning as a 

community; consequently, the use of cell phones will not be 

allowed once we have arrived in France. In the ecolodge, 

students may have to share double beds with students of the 

same gender. Due to our location and the nature of the 

program, students will need to be open to trying new foods. 

Students with special dietary needs may be difficult to 

accommodate. A valid passport for U.S. citizens and additional 


purchase of travel insurance is mandatory. 


You will be immersed in the green way of life in the French 

Alps: daily French lessons; cooking lessons and demonstrations 

with French chefs and artisans; lessons in French green 

technology. Activities will include baking organic bread in a 

student-built, solar-powered oven; constructing an ecologically 

friendly bathroom; and snowshoeing and hiking with local 

guides and botanists. 


You will learn the ins and outs of sustainable development and 

green technology in France. You will also learn to prepare and 

appreciate French organic cuisine. We will learn to respect the 

environment and local agriculture à la française. While some 

knowledge of French would be helpful, it is not a requirement. 


As globetrotters and foodies, Brooke Whitney and Marion 

Phillips are thrilled to be leading this Winterim. Ms. Phillips 

has travelled extensively in France with high school students 

and on her most recent trip discovered the ecolodge Les 

Planious and its wonderful owners, who are excited to welcome 

our students. Ms. Whitney is passionate about organic food 

and healthy living and is looking forward to delving into 

French cooking and ecology. 

Headstart in Lawrence and 

Lowell–Community Service 

Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Campolieto, Mr. Woo, 

and Mr. Gagnon ’03 


Cost: $125 

Advisory: Students in this Winterim must be immunized 

against tuberculosis. The health staff can provide such 

immunization if need be; otherwise, each participant must 

provide proof of prior immunization in writing before February. 

What will I do in the course? 

What sort of experience do children in poverty get before they 

go to school? What kind of people work daily to help them, 

especially in education? How could I help them learn? What 

kind of an institution can help them? 

The goal of this course is to provide an experience through 

which we can learn more about children in poverty and about 

early childhood education by working as teachers at HeadStart. 

Our students will work as classroom teachers for two weeks at 

different HeadStart facilities in Lowell and Lawrence, where 

three- and four-year-olds come to school every day. Each 

participant will work with a professional, an aide, and about 

twenty children in a classroom and on the playground, 

assisting a teaching team through the day. 


Participants will plan and deliver the day’s lessons in the 

classrooms and the playgrounds. The staff and pre-Winterim 

lessons will help fill out the bigger picture for us, and a bus 

ride home with the children may inform us even more. The 

work this year will include each LA participant’s designing and 

delivering a lesson in class. Some participants may find that 

their Spanish comes in very handy. Each student should expect 

to have assumptions and preconceptions challenged and to 

discover something new about herself or himself. 

Participants will be required daily to spend time outside the 

classroom with our group discussing what we are seeing. Each 

participant will be expected to maintain an informal, daily 

journal of reflections. Finally, each student must submit a 

formal piece of writing based on the two-week experience to be 

published for Winterim Night and shared with the teachers in 

Lowell afterward. 


Four leaders will supervise. In Lowell, Ned Mitchell is an NGP 

teacher and a many-year veteran of this Winterim. Science 

teacher Bob Campolieto has also had experience as a leader in 

Lowell. Megan Simon is a new Spanish teacher eager to join us 

in Lowell. Math teacher David Woo will be heading up the 

group going to the Lawrence HeadStart facilities. 


International Partners 

in El Salvador 

Mr. Barnes and Ms. Simon 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: Students may be required to have certain 

inoculations. A valid passport for U.S. citizens and additional 


purchase of travel insurance is mandatory. Note: This course 

will depart early on Friday, March 5 and return late on 

Friday, March 19. 


Are you looking for an opportunity to help others in a truly 

challenging environment? Would you like to spend time with 

children and make a difference in the lives of a community 

that really needs your help? Would you like to practice your 

Spanish and visit ancient Native American ruins and a beautiful 

tropical lake? Then the people of La Palma, a remote village in 

El Salvador, await you. We will spend most of our mornings 

teaching English to the children who attend the local school. 

Using stories, songs, and games, we will provide them with 

the opportunity to learn much about the United States, its 

cultures, stories, and traditions. Afternoons will be spent doing 

light construction work on several community projects, which 

will include those that help finish the construction of the 

school building and its playground. We will take side trips to 

local areas of interest to learn more about Salvadoran history, 

geography, and customs, and our students will pair up and live 

in the homes of local families, eating and working as their 

hosts do. Knowledge of Spanish is not required to participate 

in this Winterim. 


Working with the population of La Palma, you will gain an 

understanding of what life is like in one of the poorest regions 

of our hemisphere. It will allow for experiences that foster 

growth in the areas of teaching and learning, while providing 

you opportunities to make new friends. You will experience 

firsthand a lifestyle and culture very different from your own 

while you share aspects of your own culture. The experience 

will also provide, in many different settings, the opportunity 

to practice your Spanish with native speakers. 

Iron Chef, LA 

Ms. Mordeno 


Cost: $500 

What will I do in the course? 

When channel surfing, do you always find yourself stopping 

on the Food Network to catch an episode of Ace of Cakes, 

Chopped or Throwdown with Bobby Flay? Have you wondered 

how they do that? Do you love to eat but have never turned on 

the stove? Then this course is for you. Each morning we will be 

learning and practicing some basic cooking skills for a single 

ingredient. Each afternoon the group will be broken up into 

teams to develop and cook a recipe using the ingredient from 

the morning in combination with a mystery ingredient. We 

will have guest judges each afternoon to score each team’s dish. 

The teams will rotate each week and the “head” chef will be 

different each day. As the days progress, so will the points, and 

the highest-scoring chefs will compete on the final day to 

decide who will rule the kitchen and become Iron Chef, LA. 


The main goal of this course is to learn how to feed yourself 

without using a microwave. By the end of this course you will 

have developed a passion for quality food and gained respect 

for the art of cooking. Through practicing knife skills, basic 

cooking techniques, and creative plating, you will learn how to 

survive, and you will do it with style. 


Iron Chef, LA will be led by Dina Mordeno. She is a 

professional pastry chef, a weekend gourmet, and a self-proclaimed 

restaurant critic. We will also welcome at least one guest chef, 

who will share an expertise with us. 


The trip will be led by Mr. Barnes and Mr. Gagnon, in 

conjunction with several members of International Partners. 

The program is overseen by Mr. Don Montagna, director of 

projects in El Salvador, as well as two bilingual guides who will 

lead the on-site program in La Palma. Further information on 

what the program provides can be found on their Web site, 

internationalpartners.org. 


Mountain Biking in the 

Sonoran Desert 

Ms. Penney and Mr. David Smith ’65 


Cost: $1,700 

Advisory: Participants must be confident on a bike and 

comfortable riding over uneven ground. Good aerobic 

endurance is essential, as we will ride up to 20 miles per day. 

The purchase of travel insurance is mandatory. 


Your knobby tires hum over ancient, red-rock slabs and zigzag 

down historic mule train switchbacks as you roll past the 

tortured profiles of saguaro cacti and the ragged silhouette of 

the Superstitions, purple in the distance. 

If that sentence sounds like your idea of heaven, then saddle 

up for the western mountain biking adventure of your life! 

Together, we will spend 10 days exploring the magnificent 

trails of the Sonoran Desert outside of Phoenix, Arizona. We 

will challenge ourselves and build our biking skills, pedaling up 

to 20 miles a day through this magnificent, pristine landscape. 

On our rest days, we will explore our new environs on foot, 

roaming through Native American cliff dwellings and studying 

the wildlife that thrives in this starkly beautiful corner of 

the country. 


Participants in the course will grow through physical 

challenge—a lot of it. For this reason, they must be confident 

bikers who are comfortable riding over uneven ground. We will 

significantly improve our biking skills and know-how as we 

gear our way over rugged terrain and troubleshoot the 

occasional trailside repair. A visit to the Boyce Thompson 

Arboretum and daily observation will increase our knowledge 

of this unique ecosystem. Hikes to Native American ruins will 

give us a sense of the history of the American Southwest. We 

will camp out in rustic cabins, where close group living and 

cooperation will allow us to share the fun and the work of our 

desert odyssey. 


Ms. Penney teaches science in the NGP at Lawrence Academy. 

She is a highly experienced mountain biker who has led several 

group expeditions and who races regularly. She has biked in 

more than 10 states, and in 2005 she completed the 2,600- 

mile Great Divide Trail, which runs from Canada to Mexico. 

Mr. Smith teaches English in the CSC program. He is director 

of Winterim and one of the leaders of Outdoor Adventure at 

Lawrence Academy. He has led numerous student treks in 

North Carolina, the Adirondacks, and throughout New 

England. He is an avid mountain biker who loves to share the 

sport with others. 

Peru: A Journey of the Heart 

Ms. Bowley and Ms. Fanny Vera 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: We will depart early, on Saturday, March 7, and 

return on Saturday, March 20. Students are advised to see their 

own physicians in conjunction with the U.S. State Department 

and CDC’s suggestions regarding inoculations for travel 

outside the USA. Students should be in reasonable physical 

condition, as we will be hiking around many ruins in Cuzco 

and Machu Picchu. A valid passport for U.S. citizens and 

additional travel documents for international students are 

required. The purchase of travel insurance is mandatory. 


Do you like helping others? Are you willing to share your time 

and energy to help those who have no family to care for them? 

Would you like to expand your global perspective by learning 

about a different culture? This is the trip for you! We will 

travel with Ms. Fanny Vera, a former teacher at LA, to her 

homeland, Peru, to work with the Sisters of the Order of 

Mother Teresa, who care for a special group of needy children 

and elderly in a small community on the outskirts of the 

capital, Lima. Students will be busy cleaning, feeding, and 

interacting with these residents. Depending on airline costs, 

we are also hoping to include a side trip to Cuzco and Macchu 

Picchu to expand our understanding of the history and culture 

of the people we will be helping. 


You will learn appropriate strategies and techniques for 

breaking the barriers of communication and cultural 

misunderstanding. You will participate in structured leadership 

activities and develop your own potential as leaders by helping 

others. Finally, you will learn from the people you serve as you 

are asked to share and reflect on each day’s experiences. Even 

though you do not need to know any Spanish to participate in 

this Winterim, you will certainly pick up some of the language. 


Ms. Fanny Vera, a teacher at the Groton School, and Ms. 

Karen Bowley, a teacher at Lawrence Academy, are both 

Spanish teachers. Each of them has lived overseas for extensive 

periods of time and has extensive experience traveling with student 

groups and doing community service. Ms. Vera is a native 

of Lima and has both personal and professional connections 

with many of the people whom we will encounter. Ms. Bowley 

has co-led past Winterims to the Dominican Republic. This 

is their third year leading this course in Peru. 


Quilting is Sew Easy 

Ms. Britton and Ms. O’Connor 


Cost: $400 

Advisory: Each student must have the use of a portable 

sewing machine. 


For hundreds of years, the women of New England have 

created beautiful quilts that reflect their creative impulses. In 

this course, you will keep this tradition alive by designing and 

creating a full-size quilt. You will be able to choose between 

using traditional patterns or watercolor techniques to express 

yourself. You don’t need to consider yourself a great artist to 

make a beautiful blanket that you can keep for years to come. 

In addition, you will contribute to a group quilt that will be 

given to a nonprofit organization. 


Students will learn basic sewing and design skills. They will 

learn to design, plan, cut, piece, fill, back, and tie their quilts. 

This is a simplified process which does not require previous 

sewing experience. Students will also learn to use the tools of 

the trade: sewing machine, needle, thread, rotary cutter, iron, 

and, inevitably, the seam ripper. To understand more about the 

history and cultural importance of quilting, we will spend one 

morning either at a museum or with guest speakers. Students 

will be evaluated on the completion of their own quilts and a 

group quilt by the end of Winterim. 


The course will be led by faculty members Sarah Britton and 

Jenn O’Connor. This is Ms. Britton’s first year at Lawrence 

Academy. She is very excited to be quilting for Winterim. She 

grew up in a family of quilters and has fond memories of 

spending weekends quilting with her mother and siblings. 

She loves working with bright fabrics in whimsical, geometric 

patterns. Mrs. O’Connor is in her 18th year at LA, and this is 

her third year as a co-leader of the quilting course. She enjoys 

creating patterned and watercolor quilts, and, of course, going 

to quilt shows and adding to her stash of fabrics. Our expert 

instructor will be Nancy Bell of Hollis, NH. Ms. Bell was a 

home economics teacher for 15 years and has been teaching 

quilting to children and adults for more than 23 years. A past 

president of both the Hannah Dustin Quilting Guild and the 

New England Quilting Guild, Ms. Bell is a member of the 

board of the New England Quilt Museum Auxiliary. 

Rafting in Tropical Mexico 

Mr. Wooding and Mr. Serach 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: Students should be able to meet the physical 

demands of walking considerable distances and swimming. 

Students may be required to have certain inoculations. A valid 

passport for U.S. citizens and additional travel documents for 

international students are required. The purchase of travel 

insurance is mandatory. 


Adventures await you in southern Mexico! White-water raft 

with us through the deep canyons of Veracruz, dotted with the 

palaces and pyramids of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. 

Numerous stops along the way include climbing the giant 

pyramids of the Sun and Moon and exploring Quetzalcoatl 

temples (where you’ll be able to hide in their mysterious 

meeting chambers!). Hike through lush, sub-tropical, 

old-growth rainforests; splash in majestic waterfalls and hot 

springs; and pay a special visit to the Filo-Bobos Ecological 

Reserve. All the while, enjoy the warmth and unsurpassed 

hospitality of your new amigos! Take in the vibrant culture of 

Mexico in both the larger cities and quaint towns where we 

make our hotel stays each night. Partake in a traditional 

Totonac painting lesson, converse in Spanish at a local market, 

and enjoy exquisite Mexican cuisine! 


Veracruz is a unique cultural and environmental region that 

provides students with both a personal challenge and an 

educational experience. Group members gain proficiency in 

rafting, study water-sport safety, and develop teambuilding 

skills. As they raft and hike, students investigate ancient 

civilizations of the region’s important archeological sites. At the 

same time, students also learn about the flora and fauna of the 

tropics. During our stay in Mexico, experienced and first-time 

Spanish speakers alike will be able to practice their language 

skills with friendly locals and hosts. Students will also be 

required to reflect on their journey with writing and art and 

collect items for their travel journals. 


Leo Azucena, an experienced leader with Whitewater Tributary 

Tours (a 25-year-old company based in California), will 

accompany the group from beginning to end. Leo has been 

doing this trip since 1993. Jerry Wooding is an LA science 

teacher and the leader of 30 previous Winterims, many of 

them international. Jim Serach is a former LA science teacher, 

an expert in tropical biology, and has also led many 

international Winterims. 


RUaDgtalNativ? 21st-Century 

Social Media Tools 

Ms. Poulin 


Cost: $100 

Advisory: Students need to be comfortable using a computer 

and will need a personal email account to create various online 

accounts. Do not sign up for this expecting to play online 

computer games, learn HTML, or write programs using HTML, 

JavaScript, etc. Do sign up for this to learn about using social 

media tools (a.k.a., Internet technologies) for writing/reporting, 

creating visual/virtual media, and collaborating. 


Students will work collaboratively to design and maintain 

Lawrence Academy’s first Winterim homepage blog. Students 

will write and post short articles about on-campus or nearby 

Winterim projects, and, if possible, they will post information 

and images about off-campus projects. Students will take and 

upload photos and videos of courses and activities; embed 

slideshows created by Animoto; create an embedded virtual 

GMap of all Winterims; and place links to other Winterim 

blogs and Web sites on the site. A wiki will be used to track 

our work, Picasa or Flickr to save our photos, and a private 

blog to reflect on our process through the comment feature. 

We will also use Delicious, a social bookmarking site, to save 

and tag the sites visited. This will be a paper-free course, as 

Google Docs, Google Reader, Google Calendar, and other 

sites will be used to help students collaborate on their work. 

If any bolded terms in this text seem interesting or new, then 

consider surfing the web, joining the cloud, or publishing 

yourself during this Winterim. 


Students will learn how to write effective news articles, take 

captivating photos, use the Internet as a resource, and use the 

sites listed above as tools for creating visual and digital media. 

In addition to learning about the appropriate use of the 

Internet and how to stay safe while online, students may visit 

a school and/or business currently integrating or utilizing 

similar social media tools. 


Kimberly Poulin is the director of academic support services at 

Lawrence Academy. She has taught similar workshops to high 

school and middle school students. Instruction will also include 

presentations by guest technology educators and directors. 

The Rugged Leprechaun 

Ms. Beveridge and Ms. Keever 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: Students should be able to meet the physical 

demands of walking considerable distances. To determine if 

this course is right for you, you should seriously consider two 

questions: 1) Did you make it to the top of Mt. Monadnock 

on Mountain Day? 2) Did you enjoy the climb as much as the 

view at the top? Broken-in hiking boots and a positive attitude 

are musts! Valid passports are mandatory, as are additional 

travel documents for international students. The purchase of 

travel insurance is mandatory. 


Ni haon ulalach léann–Learning is no burden. Leave the 

modern world behind and enter one of the last-remaining areas 

in the world where Gaelic is spoken and music is a way of life. 

The students on this trip will explore the breathtaking scenery 

of the back roads of the Dingle Peninsula, a spit of land jutting 

out into the Atlantic Ocean in the southwest corner of Ireland. 

We will traverse a marked way that follows ancient roads and 

winds through tiny villages, rugged coastlines, and wild 

moorlands. Each day, we will be surrounded by the culture and 

history of Ireland. Between walks, we will have lessons in Irish 

language and dancing, as well as learn about the 

archeological sites of the peninsula. Ancient chapels, ruined 

castles, and abandoned villages will dot our paths. We will stay 

and eat in established hostels and guesthouses run by local 

families. Along the way, students will make observations about 

the journey and collect items for their own scrapbooks. 


Walking along the Dingle Way, the group will learn basic hiking 

skills. The learning starts long before we depart for Ireland, as 

students must plan for what they’ll need for this extended hike. 

The group will walk an average of 10 to 12 miles a day of gradual 

ascents, though the path takes us almost to the top of a mountain 

near the end of the trip. We will also practice group skills as we 

navigate the well-marked trail together and practice “leaving no 

trace.” There are also several meals when students will be 

responsible for shopping and cooking for the group. We will be 

exposed to the nature, culture, and history of Ireland. 


Claire Galvin of Celtic Nature will assist Ms. Beveridge and 

Ms. Keever. As a native of the Dingle peninsula, she has 

contacts with housing accommodations, the Irish-language 

school, the musicians, and the archeological experts. Ms. 

Beveridge teaches English and coaches recreational skiing. She 

has extensive outdoor experience, including participating in an 

Outward Bound course and leading high school and college 

students on several backpacking trips throughout New England. 

Ms. Keever teaches history and coaches varsity field hockey 

and lacrosse. 


The Something for Nothing 

Players Touring Children’s 

Theatre 

Mr. Hazzard and Mr. Good 


Cost: $850 


We’re “on the road again” for the tenth season of The 

Something For Nothing Players to produce a musical show for 

children and take the production on a whirlwind tour! This 

year’s production is an abridged musical version of The Wizard 

of Oz by Michele Vacca. After a week of high-energy rehearsals 

and the construction of a portable set, our company will put 

on 14-16 performances on a 7-day, 850-mile tour of 

elementary schools and children’s libraries in eastern New York, 

central Connecticut, and Nashua, New Hampshire. You will 

probably have to sign autographs and pose for pictures with 

your new fans after rewarding question-and-answer 

sessions following each performance! For some in the audience, 

the performances will be their first taste of “live” theatre. 

Students will get up early, travel many miles, and learn to live 

out of a suitcase as they experience the life of an actor/ 

musician “on the road.” This repertory experience, will 

combine the best of the touring and production processes to 

create an unforgettable experience. 


You will learn the basics of performance and design through 

the production experience. You will adapt and adjust to 

performing in gyms, cafetoriums, and other unusual venues. 

You will also learn about everything it takes to be part of a 

company “on tour.” Participating in reflective discussions and 

keeping a journal, to examine your own creative process as it 

relates to theatre production. 


Mr. Hazzard, in his twenty-seventh year at LA, is a composer 

and conductor and holds a degree in composition from the 

Berklee College of Music, where he spent twelve years on the 

faculty following graduation. He has been performing and 

conducting professionally for more than 40 years. Mr. Hazzard 

is also a veteran music director of musical theatre including 23 

Lawrence Academy musicals and nine previous tours of 

Something for Nothing Players. 

Mr. Good, in his ninth year at LA, holds a degree from 

Dartmouth college and has taught English and drama at 

independent schools since 1993. He has directed school 

dramatic productions and has studied in New York City with 

the Ensemble Studio Theatre Institute. During the 2002–2003 

school year, Mr. Good directed two of the winter one-act plays, 

“Arabian Nights” and “The Boy Who Ate the Moon.” He has 

directed The Something For Nothing Players since March 2001. 

Sports Journalism 

Mr. Wiercinski and Mr. Culley 


Cost: $1,050 


Does the life of a sportswriter seem exciting to you? Would you 

like to find out what it’s like to write against a deadline? To 

interview professional athletes? For 10 days you will experience 

the life of a sportswriter. Activities and events include touring 

The Boston Globe, WEEI, and the Basketball Hall of Fame, 

and watching regional sporting events such as the Big East 

Tournament, Boston Bruins, and Celtics games. After each 

game, our journalists will write game articles to capture the 

action for their readers. Additionally, students will write feature 

articles based on interviews of the athletes and sports figures 

and observations of the sporting world. The course will 

educate LA students about the life of a sports journalist. You 

will be under pressure to complete your articles and to muster 

up the courage to interview players and fans. You will also have 

the opportunity to create, design, and complete your own 

magazine, which will contain the articles written during the 

two-week course. This course will force you to work hard, but 

you will learn a great deal and have a lot of fun in the process. 


Course participants will receive an introduction to the ins and 

outs of sports journalism and newspaper reporting. With the 

help of some preliminary instruction in accurate and concise 

writing and provocative interviewing, would-be sportswriters 

will learn how to write effective game and feature articles. 

Participants are expected to complete a magazine that will be 

created and distributed to the Lawrence community during the 

Winterim Wrap-Up in April. 


Lawrence Academy faculty members Kevin Wiercinski and 

Mike Culley, both members of the history department and 

coaches of multiple sports, will lead this course. Mr. Wiercinski 

will lead this course for the 7th time. For Mr. Culley, it will be 

his first Sports Journalism experience. 


Stained Glass Creations 

Ms. Breton and Ms. Anderson 


Cost: $700 


Have you ever looked up at a church window in awe or 

marveled at a Tiffany panel in a museum? Or perhaps you saw 

a lamp over a table in Applebees’s and wondered, “How did 

they do that?”In this course, you will get your chance to find 

out! You will be able to create your own design for two stained 

glass panels–one in the traditional leaded design, the other in 

the Tiffany–no previous experience required. Using your own 

design, you will cut, shape, and bond glass pieces into a 

kaleidoscope of light, form, and color. If time permits, you will 

also have time to work on glass etching and a sun catcher. 


First, you will learn the techniques for safely cutting, grinding, 

and fusing glass. Through your work on a novice project, you 

will learn to use a glass cutter to shape and smooth each piece 

from a larger sheet of glass. Then you will use the copper foil 

and a soldering gun to fuse pieces together. After learning to 

use each tool in your kit and practicing these techniques, you 

will begin to work on your individual project. Each day you 

will see your design take shape bit by bit. You will wear an 

apron to cover your clothes and eye goggles to protect your 

eyes from flying chips and bits of glass. Minor cuts from 

handling glass are commonplace in this work, but the satisfaction 

you will get from your progress will be worth it. Following 

safety procedures, participating daily, and finishing your 

projects will signal a successful completion of the course. 


The course will be led by Randy Gagne, owner of The Glass 

Menagerie in Leominster, Massachusetts. Randy designs and 

creates stained glass for his store and also does restorations and 

custom work. He has led this course many times. Ms. Breton 

and Ms. Anderson have assisted in leadership of this course in 

past years. Ms. Breton teaches mathematics, and Ms. Anderson 

is the Head Librarian. Both will lend their enthusiasm to 

this craft. 

The System 

Mr. Feigenbaum and Mr. Ellsasser 


Cost: $995 


This course will afford students an opportunity to observe the 

United States legal system in action and take a broader look at 

our overall political/economic system. The first week of the 

course will be spent in the local area meeting with prisoners; 

taking day trips to courthouses and a prison; and meeting with 

political representatives and/or attorneys as their schedules 

allow. We will arrange to observe State and Federal court 

proceedings, courtroom procedures, and speak to experts 

concerning investigation, sentencing, lawmaking, and a variety 

of legal topics. The second week of the course will be spent 

mostly in Washington D.C., where we hope to attend an oral 

argument at the Supreme Court, visit the FBI, meet with 

members of Congress from our area, and perhaps meet with 

professionals from the realm of international law 

and diplomacy. 


We will learn about “the system” in daily practice. We will see 

the problems facing lawyers, lawmakers, judges, and politicians 

in administering our system of law and justice. We’ll see what 

it’s like to be an attorney, how courts work, what a courtroom 

looks and feels like, the difference between civil and criminal 

law, and the consequences that occur when a legal/political 

system breaks down. Through visits with officers of the court, 

police officers, politicians, and visits to courthouses and 

Congress, students will see firsthand what it really means to 

work in the legal system in the United States. The students will 

gain exposure to careers in the legal field, begin to understand 

the complexity and vastness of the legal/political system, 

examine parts of the justice system from crime to corrections, 

and observe the differences in the federal and state systems. 


The faculty members leading this trip are Brian Feigenbaum 

(a graduate of Boston University Law School and an attorney 

licensed to practice law in Massachusetts) and Chris Ellsasser. 

Mr. Feigenbaum teaches dance and electives in the history 

department, and Mr. Ellsasser is Lawrence Academy’s director 

of studies. 


Talk with Your Hands–Learn 

to Communicate in ASL 

Ms. Bohlin 


Cost: $350 


Learn a new language and talk with your hands! In this course, 

students will get an introduction to American Sign Language 

(ASL) as well as explore deafness, deaf culture and language 

diversity. Individuals learn ASL for many reasons—some may 

have a deaf family member or friend, but many simply love 

languages and want to learn ASL. American Sign Language is 

in fact a language all of its own; it is formally recognized by 

many governmental and educational institutions as being the 

equivalent of foreign language. It is available in the curriculum 

of several of the country’s leading universities as a viable option 

for hearing students wishing to meet their foreign language 

credit requirement. For two weeks, students will partake in 

a daily ASL course with a certified instructor. During the 

afternoon, trips to various deaf communities including schools 

and professional organizations will immerse students in deaf 

culture. Here students will get a “hands-on” look at the 

interaction between deaf individuals as well as the interaction 

between hearing and deaf individuals. Trips will include visits 

to The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, a school 

which serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students from infancy 

through high school; Newton North High School and The 

EDCO Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; 

Northeastern University and the American Sign Language 

Program; and a performance by the National Theatre of 

the Deaf, a professional theatre company comprised of 

deaf performers. 


Students will learn how to communicate in ASL in a fun and 

conversational setting. While developing an ASL vocabulary 

and an understanding of the language, students will also learn 

about deaf culture through immersion in deaf communities. 

Throughout the two weeks, you will learn and practice a group 

show in ASL and put on a performance of your own as a 

final project. 

The Total Mountain 

Experience: Skiing, Boarding, 

and Beyond 

Mr. Flannery and Ms. MacGillivray 


Cost: $750 

Advisory: Students must be able to comfortably ski/snowboard 

all trails on the mountain (from green to black diamond). 

It is preferred that students own their own ski/snowboard 

equipment, but rentals will be available as needed. 


In this course, students will experience every aspect of running 

a popular ski mountain by working closely with and learning 

from many professionals at Wachusett Mountain as part of 

the Wachusett Shadowing Program. In their off-duty time, 

students will also spend time improving their own skiing and 

boarding skills. 


During this course, students will learn a wide range of skills 

associated with operating a ski mountain. They will spend time 

shadowing Wachusett Ski Patrol, learning basic skills of 

mountain rescue. They will also shadow ski instructors, 

learning techniques that can be used to train skiers/boarders 

of all skill levels. Students will be able to ride along with the 

Wachusett grooming team to learn about snow making and 

mountain grooming. Students will also spend time learning 

the innerworkings of Wachusett Mountain, from business 

strategies to the efforts made to keep the mountain “green.” 


This Winterim course will be led by the two athletic trainers at 

Lawrence Academy, Joshua Flannery and Lauren MacGillivray, 

who are both avid and experienced snowboarders. In addition, 

Wachusett Mountain employees, including ski patrol, ski 

instructors, and mountain groomers, will be working with the 

students on a daily basis. 


Ms. Bohlin, an assistant director of admissions and girls’ varsity 

soccer coach at LA, will lead this course with the assistance of a 

professional certified ASL instructor. Ms. Bohlin grew up with 

sign language as a second language to support her brother who 

has been profoundly deaf since infancy. She has taken courses 

at Emerson College and Gallaudet University and has taught 

sign language through a mentor program. 


Turn, Baby, Turn! 

Mr. Oldham 


Cost: $1,300 

Advisory: Working with wood creates sawdust. We will have 

dust masks and air filters, but this course is probably not 

suitable for students with severe sawdust allergies. (Mr. Oldham 

has mid-strength allergies and does fine with this kind of work.) 


Have you ever wanted to hit a homerun using a baseball bat 

you made? Have you ever wanted to eat cereal from a bowl 

that you crafted yourself? A lathe is an ancient woodworking 

tool on which a piece of wood spins. By applying tools to the 

spinning wood, a woodworker can create any number of 

things, from toys to platters to baseball bats. This process is 

called ‘turning.’ Safely turning wooden objects is incredibly 

fun and rewarding; results are immediate and exciting. Your 

creations almost pour off of the lathe! 


In Turn, Baby, Turn!, you will learn woodworking techniques 

that have been in use for over 2,000 years. Depending on your 

individual interests, you will then use these skills to create tops, 

candle sticks, bowls, baseball bats, Christmas ornaments, and 

abstract art pieces. When done properly, turning is quite safe. 

Because of this, safety is emphasized at all points in this course. 

Students will be expected to follow all safety rules rigorously. 


Ken Lindgren is a full-time wood turner and has been 

teaching lathe-work for many years, both to adults and to 

high-schoolers. His personal work can be viewed on his 

Web site: www.walksoftlywoodart.com 

A note about the cost of this course: Woodworking tools are 

not cheap, and tools of poor quality are often less safe and 

more frustrating than they are worth. The cost of this course 

includes the purchase of a good-quality lathe, tools, and safety 

equipment for each participant. Students will be able to take 

their new tools home at the end of the course, so that they can 

continue turning during spring break and for the rest of their 

lives. (It’s really addictive!) If a student is not interested in 

keeping the tools, Mr. Oldham can help her/him sell them to 

local woodworkers, thus recouping some of the cost of 

this course. 

Underwater Discovery 

Mrs. Moseley and Mr. Cotter 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: This course is for those with no diving experience. 

Experienced divers should not sign up. A student with 

ASTHMA, RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, ANXIETY OR 

CLAUSTROPHOBIA ISSUES OR SIGNIFICANT 

ALLERGIES may not sign up. Participants must be able to 

swim and will be required to pass a swim test given by the dive 

instructors. Participants must provide their own masks, fins, 

snorkels, and wetsuits. Students may be required to have 

certain inoculations. A valid passport for U.S. citizens and 

additional travel documents for international students are 

required. The purchase of travel insurance is mandatory. 


You will experience the thrill of a lifetime as you explore, in 

depth, one of the greatest ecosystems our planet has to offer, 

the coral reef of Belize. To enhance this experience, Winterim 

participants will learn to scuba dive and receive certification 

from PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). 

Since Belize displays one of the best examples of biodiversity, it 

is considered one of the finest outdoor classrooms in the world. 

Participants will study the mangroves, the sea grass beds, and 

the reef itself to learn more about the creatures that live there. 

Only a handful of cayes (pronounced keys) are located on the 

barrier reef, and we are fortunate to be staying on one of the 

nicest, South Water Caye, home to the IZE (International 

Zoological Expedition) marine station and lodge. 

What will I learn from this course? 

Course participants will undergo PADI scuba training, with 

the opportunity to earn Openwater Scuba Diver certification. 

Basic instruction includes a three-part training course: 

confined-water skills, written work, and open water checkout 

dives. We will explore firsthand the wonders and mysteries 

of the coral reef, the sea grass beds, and the mangroves, 

complemented by evening lectures, night snorkels, field 

observations, and student-designed experiments. 


Lawrence Academy faculty members Cindy Moseley, a certified 

diver, science teacher, and outdoor enthusiast, will return to 

lead Underwater Discovery for the fourth time this year. She 

will be joined by Justin Cotter, a math teacher who has led 

trips to Peru, Mexico, Bermuda, and Costa Rica. Throughout 

this trip, several PADI-certified instructors/dive masters provided 

by IZE will closely supervise participants. IZE maintains the 

highest standards of diving safety and supervision. To learn 

more about IZE, visit its Web site at www.ize2belize.com. 


Who Goes There? 

Ms. Ruby ’98 


Cost: $500 


Have you ever wondered what lives around you? What other 

species share our ecosystem? Can you tell what lived here 

before just by looking around? This course will focus on the 

natural history of Groton and surrounding areas. (Did you 

know that 29% of it is protected open space?) We will spend 

most of each day outdoors, exploring nearby natural areas. 

Trips will range from down the road to southern New 

Hampshire. Be prepared to walk, as the coolest places are rarely 

right next to the parking area. We will identify forest and 

ecosystem types, track wildlife, identify scat, navigate using a 

map and compass, and find some of the unique places you’ve 

never seen. We will also spend time with local experts, who 

will share their knowledge and some of their favorite spots. 


By the end of this course, you should be able to identify 

common trees and plants, identify animal tracks and interpret 

what the animal was doing, and find other signs of animal 

activity. You should also be able to tell the story of a place by 

looking at the natural and man-made features remaining. By 

learning about nature and places in Groton, you will form a 

stronger connection both to the community of Groton and the 

natural community. Throughout our expeditions, you will 

maintain a field journal, in which you will sketch and record 

your observations. Evaluation will be based both on your 

journal and a final field-based culminating activity. 


Michelle Ruby will be the primary leader of this course. At LA, 

she teaches biology and environmental science. She grew up in 

Groton and spent countless hours of her childhood exploring 

the forests and swamps around her home. She hopes to share 

her love and knowledge of the natural world with others, 

particularly as we deal with the changing world around us. 

She will be supported throughout the course by local experts in 

such topics as tracking and resource management. 

Yellowstone: Ecosystem 

Exploration and Nature 

Photography 

Mrs. Makrauer and Mr. Sugerman 


Cost: $2,500 

Advisory: The purchase of travel insurance is mandatory. 


You and your fellow photographers and science enthusiasts will 

explore the incredible Yellowstone National Park with scientists 

and environmental activists. With them, you will study 

predator-prey ecosystems, phenomenal geologic wonders, and 

thermal springs. You will also learn about the environmental 

issues facing the park and the earth. Also joining us will be a 

two professional photographers—wildlife and landscape— 

who will school us in digital photography while we track wild 

animals as our subjects. Snowshoeing, skiing (both downhill 

and cross-country) and swimming in thermal springs will 

round out our activities in Big Sky, Montana. 


Through fieldwork, scientific observation and experiments, 

and discussions with experts who live and work in the 

Yellowstone ecosystem, we will learn about the major 

environmental issues facing this unique area, including 

tourism, wolf reintroduction, bison migration, fire 

management, and the challenges of managing an ecosystem. 

Throughout the trip, we will develop a portfolio of digital 

photographs that reflect the beauty of what we see 

and experience. 

Bring your favorite recipes to share, as we will be cooking 

many of our meals together in the warm and cozy houses in 

which we’ll stay. 

When you return from this trip, you will impress your friends 

with your knowledge of science and wildlife and your stories of 

adventure in the great American West. You will also have a 

professionally made book of high-quality photos to keep for 

a lifetime. 


Danielle Sadler-Makrauer and Joel Sugerman will lead this 

course. We will have professional instruction by scientists of 

the Yellowstone Institute, including some of the leading local 

wildlife biologists and environmentalists in the Greater 

Yellowstone ecosystem. We will also be instructed by professional 

nature and wildlife photographers from Montana. 

Your true educator will be the great outdoors. 

Don’t miss this opportunity! 


Yoga Beyond the Mat 

Ms. Kim Johnson and Mr. Peisch 


Cost: $600 


Come explore the 5,000-year-old body-mind discipline of 

yoga. Immerse yourself in its time-honored traditions as we 

travel through its history and experience its myriad benefits. As 

yogis, you will practice daily and come to understand each 

pose fully. We will emphasize proper alignment, breathing 

techniques, meditation, and the powerful connection between 

mind and body. We will travel to local yoga studios to sample 

various styles of Hatha, Kundalini, and Bikram yoga, as well 

the Chinese form of Tai Chi. Often considered to be only a 

physical discipline, yoga also offers benefits that stretch beyond 

the mat, promoting healthy nutrition and character development. 

Our journey will culminate in a trip to the Kripalu Center for 

Yoga and Health in the scenic Berkshire Mountains of western 

Massachusetts. There, we will join traditional yoga classes, walk 

the beautiful ground, hike peaceful woodland trails, and eat 

healthy meals prepared by the Kripalu chefs. 


Students will develop a full understanding of yoga culture. In 

addition to physical benefits, students will gain discipline, learn 

to reduce stress, increase energy, improve concentration, and 

increase awareness of their world. 

The yoga way of life is a commitment to overall wellness. A 

local chef and nutritional counselor will demonstrate healthy 

eating choices through cooking classes, using naturally based, 

wholesome ingredients. Because yoga’s philosophy is one of 

personal growth, one full day will be devoted to character 

development. With a local Grand Master, students will engage 

in goal-setting, controlling thoughts and habits, leadership 

activities, and attitudinal growth. 

In all, students will experience physical, mental, and emotional 

growth, while striving to maintain a healthy way of life. 

Who will teach this course? 

Kim Johnson is a certified yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner 

with nine years of experience. She owns Namaste Yoga, where 

she works primarily with high school and college-age students, 

and she teaches yoga at Lawrence Academy in the afternoon. 

Steve Peisch teaches music at Lawrence. 


10 Important Points to Keep in Mind 

(Complete information can be found in the introduction to this booklet.) 

Parents should actively help their children choose the courses that are best for them. 

Students should follow their own interests when choosing a course. Courses popular with 

their friends may not truly match their own interests. 

Read course advisories carefully. They provide necessary information about health and skill 

requirements, as well as about early departures and late returns. 

Select all five course choices carefully, as the lottery may place a student in any one of them. 

Families will be required to purchase travel insurance for courses that require air travel. 

Once students are placed in a course, families become responsible for course tuition, even if 

students later want to leave that course. Again, consider course choices carefully. 

The deadline for requesting financial aid is Monday, November 9, 2009. Grants will be 

announced before students depart for Thanksgiving vacation. 

Senior and junior course selections are due by 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2009. 

Sophomore and freshman forms are due by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 8, 2009. 

Absences of any length may result in losing Winterim credit and will require summer 

make-up work. Legitimate illnesses and emergencies will be dealt with on an individual basis. 

Winterim is a requirement for graduation. If a student does not earn credit for a Winterim 

course, he or she will be required to make up the missing requirement during the following 

summer according to specific program guidelines. 

www.lacademy.edu

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