Fall 2013 Eagle

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THE EAGLE’S NEST FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER

Inside this issue: Welcome Jack Pitfield

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A New Look for ENF

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Alumni Spotlight

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Putting a Price on Priceless Making camp a reality 5 With a Single Step

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Student Poetry

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Welcome New Trustees 8 Experiencing the Culture of Spain 9 Spanakopita

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Nest Chatter

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Experiential education for young people, promoting the natural world and the betterment of human character Visit our website at www.enf.org to make a donation, apply to a program or learn more about Eagle’s Nest.

FALL 2013

Outdoor Academy Alumni: The Hero’s Return By Michael Brown, Head of School When we talk about The Outdoor Academy, we often frame it as a Hero’s Journey following the stages Separation, Initiation, and Return. Students leave the comfort of home for the special world of OA where they discover new connections with themselves, each other, and the natural world. Then, students encounter the challenge of how to translate that confidence and knowledge back to their sending schools and home. In the traditional Hero’s Journey, this is the moment that the hero fully meets the responsibility of community, translating individual adventure and experience for the good of the whole. As I have talked and corresponded with our most recent alumni, I am happy to report that they are finding creative and powerful ways of making that complex transition.

finding a community of like-minded people, or as one student put it, “Find the OA away from OA.” This might include joining environmental clubs or seeking out mentors such as other OA alumni or teachers at school. One student from last year says, “OA helped me to see teachers as people and to learn how to have a relationship with them.” Another says it in other words, “I didn’t think teachers who don’t work at OA could be cool, but apparently it’s possible.” Students gain great community building skills at OA, and it is important to put them into practice. This puts it well: “It took a while, but I've realized there are people everywhere who care about you; you just have to let them into your life. Just like you have OA, most other people have beautiful experiences they want to share!” Continued on Page 2

Alumni know well that the shift back home after OA is not always easy, but then again, being a hero never is. They say that one of the most important keys to success is www.enf.org


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