Northwood School’s location in the Adirondack Mountains make it such a fascinating destination for students around the world. With school life beginning to get back to normal, students and faculty will assemble next week for one of the school’s oldest traditions: Mountain Day.
A summit photo from Mountain Day 2018 (Photo provided).
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancelation of Mountain Day in 2020, the first year without Mountain Day in over forty years. Now in 2021, the school is bringing back Mountain Day, which is causing a lot of excitement throughout the community.
Nicholas Bennett ‘22 said, “I am really excited about Mountain Day because we didn’t have the chance to do it last year, due to unfortunate circumstances with COVID-19.” New student James Schneid ‘22 said “I am not too familiar with hiking mountains, but I am excited about the opportunity to see some amazing views over the Adirondacks.”
On Mountain Day, all students and faculty are put into groups that climb a mountain, including many of the forty-six Adirondack High Peaks. Students and teachers are given a day off from classes to climb and explore their designated mountain. This year is going to be a special one since the return of Mountain Day marks restarting long held Northwood traditions that were paused during the pandemic and represents a return to something resembling normalcy at school.
In preparation for what’s believed to be the 45th Mountain Day at Northwood, Mr. Bobby O’Connor, Director of Northwood Outing Club and Mountain Day organizer said “Mountain Day is important because it’s another opportunity for the students here to bond as a family. Lots of character is developed when you climb together as a group.” With regards to why the school gives an entire day off academics for this event, O’Connor said, “I think the reward over the sacrifice is well worth it: one day out of the school year to give students the opportunity to learn so many lessons that can’t be taught in a classroom.”
