�����԰

WRIT 110: Writing & Inquiry in Public Contexts 

Gen Ed Goal 1, Critical Reading, Writing, and Research
Prof. Dalyn Luedtke
Offered: July 6-August 7 (5 weeks): MTWR 1000–1215
 &�Բ�����;
Students investigate how different communities, including hikers, bikers, conservationists, and local residents, hold distinct values regarding shared public spaces such as Paine Mountain trails and the Dog River. Through observation, exploration, and interviews, students develop critical thinking and rhetorical skills while examining complex public issues connected to Norwich’s physical environment.

FA 250: Art & Landscape: Walking VT’s Environmental History 

Gen Ed Goal 3, Humanities 
Prof. Christina Shivers 
Offered: June 22-August 7 (7 weeks): TR 900–1215 

This course explores Vermont’s socio-environmental and landscape history through a series of outdoor guided hikes and walks in �����԰’s forest and campus, Northfield Town Forest, and Paine Mountain. Each outdoor instructional session will be paired with a form of artistic representation historically used to document and describe nature, providing students with an environmental history of their region through dialogues between outdoor investigation and primary source material.

PY 210: Psychology of Leadership 

Gen Ed Goal 8, Leadership
Prof. Sean Beebe 
Offered: June 22-August 7 (7 weeks): M 1230–1330; T 1230–1800

Students examine motivation, teamwork, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making through classroom instruction, reflection, and progressively extended field experiences. Archival study of Alden Partridge’s educational philosophy anchors the course, with each setting serving as a living laboratory for leadership in practice.

ES 299: Eco Detectives: Methods in Field Research

Gen Ed Goal 4: Natural Sciences
Prof. Lindsey Pett 
Offered: June 22-August 7 (7 weeks): MW 1300–1730

Through hands-on experience in forests, wetlands, streams, and meadow environments, students learn to design and implement field studies while developing technical skills essential to ecological and wildlife research. The course emphasizes data accuracy, statistical sampling design, and the interpretation of biological data in the context of habitat assessment and conservation management.

HI 260: Public History in the Field 

Gen Ed Goal 3: History
Prof. Chris Delmas 
Offered: June 22-August 7 (7 weeks): F 800–1430

In partnership with the Northfield Historical Society, students explore how stories of place are preserved through the built environment, oral histories, and public exhibitions. Participants conduct site visits and documentation at the Paine House Museum and surrounding heritage sites, contributing to community-based interpretive projects.

EG299: Drones in BIM: Mapping, Modeling & Surveying 

Prof. Jack Patterson 
Offered: June 22 – July 3 (2 weeks): MTWRF 800–1230

This intensive course introduces students to drone mapping, photogrammetry, and site modeling. Students collect and process spatial data using industry-standard tools while reflecting on the civic, ethical, and environmental implications of emerging geospatial technologies.

Bundle your experience by registering for multiple summer courses!

Outdoor + Civic Immersion (13 credits) 

• PY 210
• FA 250
• ES 299
• HI 260  

STEM + Writing (10 credits) 

• EG 299
• BI 299
• EN 110

Outdoor Immersion (10 credits) 

• EG 299
• PY 210
• ES 299

Why Should I Enroll in an Outdoor School course? 

The Partridge School of Outdoor Learning brings learning beyond the classroom and into the landscape. Earn academic credit while hiking mountain trails, conducting ecological research in Vermont forests, mapping landscapes with drone technology, and exploring the histories embedded in rivers and communities.

Develop leadership, research, and creative skills while exploring Vermont’s environment as a living laboratory.

Who Can Enroll in Outdoor School courses?

Anyone who enjoys learning outdoors and exploring real landscapes and communities!

Perfect for Students Interested In:

Environmental Science • Sustainability • Leadership Studies • Engineering • Architecture • GIS and Mapping • History • Writing • Art and Design • Public Service

What is unique about the Partridge School of Outdoor Learning? 

• Courses integrate the environment into the curriculum so the outdoors becomes part of the learning experience.
• Opportunities to conduct hands-on research and develop leadership skills in general education courses.
• Courses invite students to apply their learning within real landscapes, communities, and ecosystems.
• Experience Vermont as a living classroom!

Where do Outdoor School courses take place? 

Courses take place outdoors on the �����԰ campus, with excursions to campus forests, Paine Mountain trails, the Dog River watershed, Northfield Town Forest, Northfield historic and community sites.