THE PURPOSE IS CLEAR
Unbounded Days draws upon The Webb Schools’ enduring purpose of inspiring students to boldly reach for a greater sense of who they are and what they can achieve. Through immersive, collaborative, relevant and deeply engaging journeys that connect the classroom and the broader world, students expand their understanding of what it means to think, create and reflect. They learn that their possibilities and their minds are truly unbounded.
When Robert A. Hefner III ’53 made his generous gift to the schools, he made special provisions to enable us to learn directly from extraordinary individuals. In this spirit, Unbounded Days has been created. Unbounded Days has grown not only from Mr. Hefner’s personal thirst for creativity and love of exploration, but also out of his deep admiration for one of his former Webb teachers, Dr. Ray Alf, who first showed him how to think beyond what he could see.
Unbounded Days is supported by the ROBERT A. HEFNER III ’53 ENDOWMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE
COURSE LIST
Unbounded Days will take place from March 4-March 8, 2026. Most courses will be three days and will meet from Wednesday, March 4-Friday, March 6, 2026. These courses include options for overnights and day trips. 4-day courses will also meet Saturday, March 7 and 5-day courses will run through Sunday, March 8.
Unless otherwise indicated in the course description, there is no additional fee. If a student selects a course with an additional fee, that fee will be billed directly to the student’s account. Students on financial aid will automatically receive the same percentage of assistance they receive for tuition and it will be applied directly to their bill.
3-Day Courses ................................................ pages 4 - 27
Breakaway: Pedaling LA’s Olympic History
Channel Islands Expedition: History, Conservation, and Adventure*
Clay, Culture, and Creation: Honoring Indigenous Pottery Traditions*
A Coastal Kayaking Expedition: Catalina Island Narratives and Naturalism*
Desert Solitude: A Meditation Retreat in Joshua Tree*
Discover Catalina*
Global Grills: Community, Culture, and Chemistry of Barbeque
The Great Escape Hitmakers: From the Crates Up
How to Beach: Find your Flow and Learn to Surf*
Invest with the Best
Life After Death: Skeletons, Skulls, and Preservation in Museums and Culture
Living Borders: Stories of Migration and Community in Southern California*
The Play’s The Thing!
Plein Air Art
Property Boarders: Forever Dorm
Reclaiming the Sword: Combat, Craft & Culture of Female Warriors Robots, Drones, and Submarines: Part 2
Sacred L.A.: Exploring Spiritual Traditions, Places, and Practices
The Science of Wonder: Engineering, Psychology, and Design in Theme Park Experiences
Taste Buds
Torque & Teamwork: The Art and Science of Automotive Engineering
Tune Up: Sound, Sculpt, and Sip Your Way to Mindfulness
unCLOWNded
4-5 Day Courses pages 28 - 31
The Great Dam and the Wild River: Canoeing and Camping on the Colorado (4-days)*
Into the Wild: Essentials of Outdoor Survival (4-days)*
The Big History of Wolves in California (5-days)*
Hiking the Trans-Catalina Trail (5-days)*
*courses with overnights
BREAKAWAY: PEDALING LA’S OLYMPIC HISTORY
Course Leaders:
Morgan Kapp
3 days
Get ready to ride where future Olympians will compete! Let’s dive into Southern California’s dynamic cycling scene—where sport and adventure meet. We’ll kick things off with a visit to a local bike shop, where you’ll explore different types of gear and apparel and get a glimpse into the business side of cycling. Next, head to Bonelli Park for a day of mastering new mountain biking skills and exploring its scenic trails. The experience ramps up at the world-class velodrome in Carson—the same track that will host the 2028 Olympic cycling events—where you’ll learn to ride the banks and explore the fast-paced world of track racing. Led by a former competitive racer, this course is all about building skills, gaining confidence, and discovering the exhilarating freedom that comes from pushing your limits on two wheels. Prior biking experience recommended—this is your chance to jump into SoCal’s vibrant cycling scene and train on a world stage!
CHANNEL ISLANDS EXPEDITION: HISTORY, CONSERVATION, AND ADVENTURE*
Course Leaders:
Mark Lauer and Cassandra Velasco
3 days
Overnight Course Fee: $50
’ Trade the mainland for an archipelago— your expedition to Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park begins now! Often called “North America’s Galpagos,” these five remote islands offer a stunning intersection of history, conservation, and marine adventure. Over three days, you’ll journey across the channel via a twohour ferry ride—scanning the waters for marine life and sea caves—before setting up camp for two nights. You’ll explore the islands’ vast trail network and visit an outdoor museum to learn about the history and present of the Chumash people, who called these islands home for 13,000 years. Get ready for challenging and fun outdoor adventures: kayaking the coastline, hiking the dramatic trails, and participating in an up-close study of the ongoing ecological restoration in this delicate natural environment. This immersive experience is perfect for anyone ready to embrace outdoor adventure while uncovering the deep history and rich marine life of Southern California’s wild islands.
CLAY, CULTURE, AND CREATION: HONORING INDIGENOUS POTTERY TRADITIONS*
Course Leaders:
Melanie Bauman and Lisa Nacionales
3 days Overnight
Course Fee: $125
Are you ready to get your hands dirty and explore the art of pottery through both modern and traditional techniques? In this three-day and twonight course, you’ll create your own clay pieces while learning about the rich artistic traditions of Indigenous communities in Southern California. Using resources throughout Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, you’ll meet local artisans, tribal representatives, and protectors of Indigenous pottery techniques, while gaining firsthand insight into the cultural and ecological roots of pottery. Our journey will take us to Idyllwild and Joshua Tree, where you’ll connect with artists who work in inspiring natural settings. You’ll experiment with pinch pots, kick- and electric-wheel throwing, sgraffito tile design, and “copalaros,” using both modern clay and naturally sourced materials—even crafting base clay for yourself from the earth. Come experience the blend of art, culture, and nature that makes pottery a timeless human tradition.
A COASTAL KAYAKING EXPEDITION: CATALINA ISLAND NARRATIVES AND NATURALISM*
Course Leaders: Joseph Vincent and Cory Warren
3 days
Overnight Course Fee: $150
Launch into an unparalleled kayaking and camping expedition around the outdoor laboratory of Santa Catalina Island. This course will see you paddle from the harbor of Avalon to our remote base camp at Goat’s Harbor, mastering essential ocean kayaking and coastal encampment skills along the way. While navigating the dramatic coastline, you will gain an intimate, hands-on understanding of how geological forces, animal migration, and human influence have shaped this uniquely biodiverse ecosystem. The Pacific Ocean becomes our primary classroom, offering opportunities to snorkel within flourishing kelp forests and directly investigate the reciprocal relationship between the marine and terrestrial environments. Push your personal limits and transcend traditional learning to gain a profound, experiential insight into the dynamic ecology of this singular island treasure.
DESERT SOLITUDE: A MEDITATION RETREAT IN JOSHUA TREE*
Course Leaders: Stephen Hebert and Allison Madar
3 days
Overnight Course Fee: $125
Life moves at a relentless pace: texts, emails, social media, homework, and family obligations. What if you could build a toolkit to meet it all with calm and joy? In this course, you’ll step away from the digital world for a few days to reconnect with who you truly are. At an artists’ compound near Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll explore mindfulness and meditation, learning practical ways to bring presence into daily life. Without devices, you’ll try guided meditation, journaling, cooking, and hiking—each designed to help you slow down and rediscover balance. The retreat culminates in a “solo,” where you’ll practice stillness and apply what you’ve learned. This is an invitation to be fully present, reconnect with yourself and others, and explore what it means to live mindfully—and humanely—in the 21st century.
DISCOVER CATALINA*
Course Leaders: Megan Galipeau, Sarah Lantz, and Helga Zambrano
3 days Overnight Course Fee: $150
Twenty-two miles off the coast of California sits Catalina Island, a travel destination known for its rich history and beautiful natural environment. Working with the Catalina Island Marine Institute, this three-day course takes you on a marine science expedition. You will cross the ocean channel while looking for dolphins and whales, explore the underwater world off the shoreline while snorkeling, investigate the unique geology and biology of the island and rediscover the night sky. You will stay at the beautiful Fox Landing camp, a quiet beach on the Catalina coastline, near Long Point State Marine Reserve, with access to Catalina’s marine diversity, including its wild interior where bison roam and its dark skies perfect for stargazing. This is the ideal course for anyone who wants to learn more about marine life on the California coast.
GLOBAL GRILLS: COMMUNITY, CULTURE, AND CHEMISTRY OF BARBECUE
Course Leaders:
Nina ButlerRoberts and John Choi
3 days
Barbecue is more than smoke and meat—it’s a fierce cultural ritual, a symbol of identity, and a global language of community. This course elevates barbecue from a simple cooking method to a global cultural ritual, tracing its roots and modern expression right here in Southern California. You will investigate how global flavors reflect migration and community through the diverse food scenes of Los Angeles, Orange County, and the San Gabriel Valley. The curriculum begins with a chemists’ understanding of the science of grilling and smoking but quickly moves into the field for a sensory and hands-on experience. You will explore renowned local establishments like Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano for Texas-style traditions, and visit L.A.’s Koreatown to learn the techniques of gogigui, analyzing how these traditions connect to global styles like asado and barbacoa. The course culminates in a collaborative Global BBQ Showcase, where you’ll design, prepare, and present culturally-informed dishes for the school community, turning your local L.A. learning into action and celebrating connection through fire and food.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Course Leaders:
Megan Horejsi and Wendy Maxon
3 days
You and your teammates are trapped in a room and only have 60 minutes to escape. All around you are clues that lead you one step closer to the exit. Left only to your wits, creativity, and teamwork, will you have what it takes to solve the puzzles and make your way out of the room before time runs out? This course will push your problem-solving, design, and world-building skills to the limit. You will work together in teams to take on several escape rooms around Los Angeles, all the while figuring out how you could do it even better. This course will offer you opportunities to use masterminding, storytelling, world-building, and project-managing skills all at once. Create that world you have always wanted, and then watch as groups of attendees try to unravel the challenge. Can they manage? Well, that’s up to you.
HITMAKERS: FROM THE CRATES UP
Course Leaders: Anthony Flucker and Michael Hoe
3 days
That head nod. That feeling when the beat drops perfectly. You’ve felt it. Now you’ll create it. This course takes you from listener to producer, mastering the craft behind hip hop’s most unforgettable moments. We’ll trace hip hop’s evolution from dusty vinyl to digital dominance, exploring how geography, social movements, and history shaped the sound. Deep dives into West Coast hip hop, gangster rap’s connection to the history of LA, and the genre’s roots in West African rhythms, jazz, and blues will inform your own creative work as you craft original beats using industry-standard tools. Hands-on from day one, you’ll dig for samples at record shops, explore various tools and tech to support your creations, and learn from guest producers in professional studios. You’ll master beatmaking fundamentals, vocal recording, mixing, and mastering while sharpening your critical ear and creative instincts. Working individually and collaboratively, you’ll produce tracks that reflect your unique sonic signature. The grande finale? A release listening party where you’ll perform your work, share your creative journey, and celebrate the collective album you’ve built together. This course challenges you to think Unboundedly, understand music’s power to transform, lead through creative risk-taking, and gain a language that speaks directly to your generation - one beat at a time. Ready to make hits?
HOW TO BEACH: FIND YOUR FLOW AND LEARN TO SURF*
Course Leaders:
Allesandra Adams and Hans Zhou
3 days
Overnight Course Fee: $50
Often considered as the birthplace of modern surfing, California doesn’t just offer marvelous natural environments suited for surfing but has also nurtured a unique surf culture that dates to the early 20th century and bloomed in the 1950s and 1960s. Students in Southern California often grow up by the Pacific, but ocean comfort, safety, and awareness are skills that not everyone possesses. This course, designed for novice surfers, is your invitation to build an authentic relationship with the Pacific—learning to read the vast expanse and truly belong on the coastline. We start with the fundamentals: swim training to build confidence and strength in the water, followed by crucial ocean awareness skills, including basic lifeguarding and first aid. You’ll explore local marine ecology, tides, and coastal geography, learning how to look at the water and know not only what’s beneath the surface but also whether it’s safe. Practical, hands-on activities will build your comfort level, beginning with boogie boarding and body surfing. Through explorations of beach towns, you will also gain a deeper understanding of the history of surf culture in Southern California. The course culminates in the ultimate test of all your new skills: an unforgettable surfing lesson, connecting everything you’ve learned about waves, balance, human-nature relationships, and the sea into one incredible, unifying experience. No matter where you grew up, you’ll leave this course ready to call the Pacific your home.
INVEST WITH THE BEST
Course Leaders:
Will Allan and LeAnne Schweitzer
3 days
What is your financial risk tolerance?
Would you rather swing for the fences with the latest hot biotech and crypto crazes, or would you prefer to stash cash under your mattress? Would you rather own gold bars or Japanese yen? It’s never too early to become a savvy investor. You will have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with the best -- executives and analysts from Goldman Sachs! This worldrenowned Fortune 500 firm manages The Webb Schools’ robust and complex endowment. Investment management is an important field, as sound investing can help individuals and institutions to prosper and meet their goals. Using your personal preferences blended with Goldman’s strategies, you will create and pitch an investment portfolio based on real-world case studies. Along the way, you’ll consider business ethics and put your financial choices into a broader context, integrating a short history of Wall Street with the current interconnected and digitized global market. This course culminates in a visit to Goldman Sachs’ Los Angeles office, which will give you an inside look at the industry, a chance to display the financial savviness you’ve acquired, and a friendly contest to determine who can invest like the best!
LIFE AFTER DEATH: SKELETONS, SKULLS, AND PRESERVATION IN MUSEUMS AND CULTURE
Course Leaders:
Andy Farke and Billie Guerrero
3 days
The dead—in bony, “pickled,” and taxidermy form—are central to natural history museums and nature education. In this course, you’ll investigate the decisions that go into a museum display – from choice of specimens to cultural awareness to labeling presentation. Does it matter if a “real” skeleton or a replica is exhibited? How do intellectual property rights intersect with museum development? Is it ethical to use remains of endangered species in educational settings? Through field explorations at Los Angeles museums and businesses, you will learn how “The Dead” are presented in exhibits and education. Make your own mark when you develop and assemble a new dinosaur skeleton exhibit for the Alf Museum. A skeleton in a museum is never just a skeleton!
LIVING BORDERS: STORIES OF MIGRATION AND COMMUNITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA*
Course Leaders: Roberto Ayala, Adriana Flores, and Melissa Mani
3 days Overnight Course Fee: $100
The border isn’t just a line on a map— it’s a living reality with a ripple effect that touches communities across Southern California. This immersive experience challenges students to turn knowledge into action through handson learning and meaningful community engagement. You’ll hear directly from community leaders and families who have navigated migration, and take a two-night trip to San Diego to explore the social, environmental, and economic realities of the borderlands. Activities may include assembling care baskets for local families, visiting iconic sites like Friendship Park and Chicano Park, and collaborating with professionals dedicated to supporting immigrant communities. Through these direct experiences, students will reflect on empathy, justice, and belonging, and consider their own essential role in creating a more compassionate world.
THE PLAY’S THE THING!
Course Leaders:
Stef Plumley and Olivia Silva
3 days
Course Fee: $50
Do you have a passion for the theatre arts? Do you love L.A.? Are you looking for an immersive experience to explore your passion for theatre while also exploring Los Angeles? Join us on a three-day journey as we do a deep dive into all things theatre! In this course, you will get the chance to go behind the scenes, work with professional artists, and watch amazing theatre in the L.A. area. From Pasadena to Highland Park to our very own Claremont, we will see it all! Over these three days, you will challenge yourselves to think boldly and outside of the box, engage in thoughtful discussions about artistry and creative choices, collaborate with your peers as you learn about performance and production. This course will serve as inspiration for you to lead with distinction in your own artistic practices while having a ton of fun along the way. No prior theatrical experience needed!
PLEIN AIR ART
Course Leaders: Katie Johnston and Eric Strom
3 days
Ready to paint outside the lines—and outside the classroom? This course is your invitation to slow down, step outside, and see like an artist. You’ll spend three days exploring Southern California’s most stunning ecosystems with sketchbook in hand. At Huntington Beach, you’ll capture the ocean’s endless movement—maybe even mixing sand into your paint for texture. At Griffith Park and the Huntington Gardens, you’ll sketch the collision of urban energy and natural beauty, incorporating leaves or flower petals into your work. At Mt. Baldy, you’ll climb into mountain light and discover how nature transforms with elevation—pine needles and bark impressions might become part of your art. This isn’t about being “good at art.” It’s about exploring the diversity of Greater Los Angeles, seeing what you’ve been missing and expressing what you discover. You’ll experiment with various mediums including watercolors, charcoals, and natural materials you find along the way, building confidence in creative expression without worrying about perfection. Your field sketchbook becomes a record of how your perspective evolves. The course ends with a pop-up gallery where you’ll share your pieces and insights with peers—celebrating how art opens new ways of understanding beauty, place, and yourselves. Through bold thinking, moral courage to create without judgment, collaborative leadership, and generous appreciation for the world’s beauty, you’ll discover that when you change how you see, you change everything.
PROPERTY BOARDERS: FOREVER DORM
Course Leaders:
Yesela Tadeo and Eric Vos
3 days
Ever walked into your dorm and thought, “I could design this better”? Now’s your chance. In this course, you’ll become the architect of Webb’s future—literally. We’re handing you the blueprint (okay, metaphorically) to reimagine the spaces where you actually live, hang out, and build community. You’ll tour campuses across local private schools and colleges, scoping out the coolest, most innovative community spaces and asking the big questions: What makes a space feel like yours? How do design choices shape how people connect? What would everyone—not just you—actually need in their ideal space? Then comes the real work: You’ll team up to redesign an actual community space at Webb, either the Ruddick Room or the Jameson wood chip area. With guidance from campus design and project management pros you’ll learn what it takes to turn big ideas into reality. This is where bold thinking meets generous service—you’ll consider all your stakeholders and collaborate creatively to redesign spaces that truly serve the whole community. Your final challenge? Present your vision to school leaders who can actually make it happen. This isn’t just dreaming; it’s leadership in action. Walk away knowing how to think like a designer, advocate like a leader, and maybe—just maybe—leave your mark on Webb forever.
RECLAIMING THE SWORD: COMBAT, CRAFT & CULTURE OF FEMALE WARRIORS
Course Leaders: Crystal StarkRodriguez and Briar Rose Tirpak
3 days
Have you ever wanted to wield a sword, craft chainmail, and rewrite history all in one epic adventure? Join us for three unforgettable days where you’ll train with a professional instructor in historical swordplay, explore ancient manuscripts at the Huntington Library, and create everything from medieval armor and jewelry to original stories that put fierce female protagonists at the center of legendary tales. You’ll discover the warrior women from around the world that history forgot while analyzing how popular knight-core media could be reimaged with female knights and develop the confidence that comes from mastering the blade. This isn’t just about learning history; it’s about questioning whose stories get told, creating art that challenges stereotypes, and celebrating with a thrilling Medieval Times joust where you’ll showcase your handmade crafts and present original performances that celebrate female power, courage, and agency throughout the ages. Ready to claim your place in the warrior sisterhood? This course is intended for students who identify as female and/or nonbinary.
ROBOTS, DRONES, AND SUBMARINES:
PART
2
Course Leaders:
Andrew Hamilton, Bailey Jorgensen, and Luke Raus
3 days
Stop watching the future—build it. Join this exhilarating three-day intensive field course in Southern California to become a pioneer in underwater research, gaining hands-on experience in robotics, data science, and ocean discovery. You will immediately apply your skills by working as a team to design, build, calibrate, and drive a fully functional underwater drone submarine (ROV/AUV), exploring both freshwater and saltwater environments to engage in real scientific work. You will collect, analyze, and interpret the resulting data, learning how cutting-edge autonomous vehicles are employed to learn about hard-to-explore spaces, and cultivating a high-impact portfolio of marketable skills in mechatronics, data analysis, and collaborative fieldwork. Claim your spot and make waves in the world of underwater research!
SACRED L.A.:
EXPLORING SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS, PLACES, AND PRACTICES
Course Leaders:
Sonsoles
Cardalliaguet, Michael Kozden, and Malick
Mbengue
3 days
Step beyond Webb’s foothills and into the heart of Los Angeles—a city where the sacred reveals itself in temples, mosques, gardens, and mountains. In this three-day course, you will journey through the diverse spiritual landscapes of L.A., discovering how people across cultures and faiths connect to something greater than themselves. From meditating in a serene Buddhist temple to walking mindfully through nature trails, from engaging with local spiritual leaders to sound baths and yoga sessions, you’ll explore how space and spirituality intertwine to shape identity, community, and belonging. Along the way, you’ll have time for guided reflection and personal mindfulness practice, encouraging you to consider what “the sacred” means in your own life. Whether you’re curious about world religions, fascinated by culture, or seeking a moment of peace and connection, Sacred L.A. offers a rare opportunity to see your city—and yourself—through a new, contemplative lens. Join us for three unforgettable days of exploration, reflection, and discovery.
THE SCIENCE OF WONDER: ENGINEERING, PSYCHOLOGY, AND DESIGN IN THEME PARK EXPERIENCES
Course Leaders:
Nika Haleftiras and Viviana Nicolosi
3 days
Course Fee: $100
Ever wondered why you scream on roller coasters but immediately want to ride again? Or how theme parks make you believe you’re flying through space or escaping from dinosaurs? This course pulls back the curtain on the incredible science and psychology behind the world’s most advanced storytelling machines. You’ll go behind the scenes at Disney, SeaWorld, and Knott’s Berry Farm—not as tourists, but as experience detectives analyzing every trick designers use to hack your emotions. Learn from real Imagineers, collect data while riding cutting-edge coasters, and discover how parks use everything from scent machines to G-forces to tell stories that engage every sense. Watch SeaWorld reinvent itself in real-time, decode Disney’s “magical” environmental storytelling, and experience how pure physics at Knott’s creates narrative through sensation. The course peaks with you designing your own attraction, pitching to peers like actual theme park creators do. You’ll never experience entertainment the same way—and you might just discover a career you never knew existed.
TASTE BUDS
Course Leaders: Anthony Ashkar and Ken Rosenfeld
3 days
Ready to explore the real Los Angeles, one bite at a time? Taste Buds is a three-day culinary exploration of how food connects us to culture, community, and identity through the diverse flavors of Los Angeles. You will shop like chefs at farmers markets, pilot their palates through blind taste tests, witness the wonders of a live cooking demo with a renowned LA-based chef, and graze on global cuisines in a hands-on “culinary cruise” through the San Gabriel Valley. Back in the kitchen, you’ll learn essential cooking techniques such as knife skills and plating. Then, you’ll put those techniques to the test by preparing a collaborative family-style meal with artistic and competitive flair. Along the way, you will reflect on what “tastes like home,” explore how ingredients tell stories, and consider the environmental, physiological, and emotional impact of what we eat.
Taste Buds is more than just cooking, it’s about curiosity, creativity, and connection through food.
TORQUE & TEAMWORK: THE ART AND SCIENCE OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
Course Leaders: Amie Bartholomew, Brendan Beikman, and Brian Kays
3 days
What makes a great car more than just metal and machinery? In Torque & Teamwork, you’ll dive into the world where engineering meets imagination—where precision, design, and collaboration turn ideas into motion. Over three dynamic days, you’ll explore how cars are designed, built, and refined by visiting professional training facilities, collegiate engineering teams, and see both custom and vintage vehicles up close in person. You’ll see how problemsolving, creativity, and teamwork power every part of the process—from design sketches to engines roaring on the track. Along the way, you’ll also race electric go-karts at K1 Speed, learning how split-second strategy and clear communication make or break a team. This course is for anyone curious about how things work—whether you’re drawn to STEM, sustainability, design, or the artistry of craftsmanship. You’ll discover that automotive engineering isn’t just about torque and horsepower— it’s about innovation, creativity, and collaboration. No prior experience needed—just curiosity, focus, and a willingness to explore the fast-paced intersection of science and skill.
TUNE UP:
SOUND,
SCULPT,
AND SIP
YOUR WAY TO MINDFULNESS
Course Leaders:
Daria Kaufman, Ruth Vela, and Ning Zheng
3 days
Feeling stretched thin or disconnected? This course is your invitation to pause, breathe, and rediscover delight in the present moment—a series of sensory-rich workshops designed to help you tune in to your body, awaken your creativity, and reconnect with your sense of purpose. You’ll explore mindfulness as a celebration of the senses—listening, touching, tasting, smelling, and moving with awareness. Through immersive sound experiences, you’ll discover how vibration, rhythm, and voice can soothe and energize your whole being. With clay as your guide, you’ll move through the tactile joy of pressing, pinching, and shaping—letting the rhythm of your hands quiet your mind. On an adventure to downtown LA, you’ll explore the gentle ritual of whisking matcha, noticing the dance of aroma, color, and taste as you craft your own moment of calm. Throughout, you’ll gather practices that nourish your spirit—simple, sensory ways to return to yourself amid the rush of daily life. This isn’t about doing more; it’s about being more you—present, grounded, and alive to the wonder of now.
UNCLOWNDED
Course Leaders:
Mark Dzula and Ian Kimbell
3 days
Course Fee: $50
History is packed with beautiful fools, buffoons making merry, three-ring schmucks running wild. From ancient jesters to modern improv legends, clowns have been making us laugh, think, and feel for centuries. But why? What makes the clown so powerful across cultures and time? And more importantly—what’s your inner clown like? This course is your chance to find out. Through hands-on workshops, you’ll dive into mask-making, makeup, physical comedy, and classic clown skits. You’ll develop your own bits, learn to read a room, and discover how vulnerability and absurdity can create genuine connection. This isn’t about being silly for no reason—it’s about the art of taking risks, embracing failure, and finding joy in the unexpected. LA has one of the strongest clown and improv cultures in the world, and we’re taking full advantage. You’ll attend live shows at local theaters, workshop with professional clowns who’ll teach you their craft, and soak up the energy of a thriving performance scene. Then you’ll bring it all back to campus for a final spectacle. Clowning demands boldness and moral courage to be vulnerable in front of others. It’s an act of service—spreading joy and inspiration. And leaders who can let loose, embrace the uncomfortable, and pursue the unexpected. They’re unstoppable. Come take yourself less seriously and discover what happens when you do.
THE GREAT DAM AND THE WILD RIVER: CANOEING AND CAMPING ON THE COLORADO*
Course Leaders: Stef Graefe and Sarah Trobaugh
4 days
Overnight Course Fee: $150
Journey to a place where nature’s majesty meets human ambition: the stunning Black Canyon, flowing directly below the colossal Hoover Dam. This course offers an unforgettable combination of adventure, learning, and camaraderie under the stars. The fourday, three-night adventure will immerse you in the epic history and awe-inspiring geology of the region, allowing you to paddle the tranquil waters, explore hot springs, and set up riverside camps. We’ll examine how the Hoover Dam’s construction fundamentally altered the flow of the Colorado River and reshaped the American Southwest, exploring the complex relationship between human development and the natural environment. You will gain practical skills in canoeing, navigation, and “Leave No Trace” principles, while cultivating physical and mental resilience by pushing past your comfort zone in a spectacular desert environment. No prior canoeing or extensive camping experience is necessary.
INTO THE WILD: ESSENTIALS OF OUTDOOR SURVIVAL*
Course Leaders:
Sawyer Belville and Leah Moore
4 days
Overnight Course Fee: $50
John Muir, the famous naturalist, once reflected, “when one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” In this hands-on, adventure-filled course, we will embrace Muir’s notion of interconnectedness, and you’ll learn how to build shelters, start fires, navigate with a map and compass, purify water, and stay safe in the outdoors in order to build your confidence taking on the unexpected. Participants will leave the course having learned, and being offered the opportunity to utilize, various camping survival techniques both on Webb’s beautiful campus and in the backcountry. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or totally new to outdoor experiences, this course will help you develop concrete tools to thrive in backcountry experiences in addition to a more nourishing personal relationship to the outdoors that inspires reflection on yourself, your interactions with other living creatures, and the beauty of our planet.
THE BIG HISTORY OF WOLVES IN CALIFORNIA*
Course Leaders:
Mairin Balisi and James Huerta
5 days
Overnight
Course fee: $125
From Ice Age fossils to modern conservation icons, the wolf’s journey is an epic narrative written across California’s landscape. This course traces the wolf’s story using Big History principles, connecting biology, human history, and ecology from its evolutionary origin to its recent return. The curriculum begins with the fossil record: you will hear from a carnivore paleobiologist and go behind the scenes at the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum to study the extinct dire wolf. The class then moves to the Nature Conservancy’s Randall Preserve in the Tehachapi Mountains for three days of fieldwork. With Preserve ecologists, you will investigate habitat suitability, analyze distribution data, and study the legacy of historical eradication campaigns, contrasting them with pre-contact Indigenous perspectives. Fieldwork concludes by examining modern biodiversity management and the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence (like the story of wolf OR-7). You will leave with a profound understanding of how biology, history, and human action define the future of this keystone species.
HIKING THE TRANS-CATALINA TRAIL*
Course Leaders: Brian Caldwell and Joe Martin
5 days
Overnight Course Fee: $150
Want to earn the most spectacular 39-mile view of the Pacific Ocean?
The Trans-Catalina Trail is a demanding, bucket-list backpacking journey, and this five-day/fournight expedition challenges you to traverse the island from Avalon to Two Harbors. Be prepared—this is no glamping trip! You will hike an average of 10 miles each day across Catalina’s pristine backcountry, preparing your own meals and sleeping each night with a view of the ocean’s edge. Beyond strengthening your outdoor skills, we will visit botanical gardens, wade in tide pools, and attend ranger talks on the island’s natural habitat. This course is intended for students who already have hiking and backpacking experience and are hoping to further develop those skills, culminating in a trail journal to capture this once-ina-lifetime experience.
