For months, I have spoken of some mysterious semester school up north. Hopefully, I have peaked some of your curiosities. Now, I am finally elaborating as the day comes near when I must leave the Midwest and head up to Maine. Though it’s not abroad, I am very excited for this change of scenery. Having gone to the same school for years, a change of pace is very appealing. New teachers, peers, and settings are exactly what any wannabe nomad needs.
It’s called Chewonki Semester School. During the summer, it runs as a camp, but in the spring and fall, it’s a wilderness-related school with room and board. Chewonki is a Native American (I forget which tribe) word that apparently either means the place where people gather or something relating to moose. I think it is safe to say the facility refers to the gathering definition.
The school highlights its challenging academics, welcoming community, and especially the scenic location. Located in Wiscasset, Maine, it is a focal point for organic growing, sustainability, and camping. This centricity toward green-thinking caught my attention and made me apply. Its showcased class is called The Natural History of the Maine Coast. I talked to an admission’s officer recently at a little gathering and was told it is essentially a mix of a hands on biology, ecology, and geology class. For an aspiring National Geographic writer, this mix of fields is only missing anthropology. With an uncountable amount of field trips and the ability to live in the actual environment we are studying, it will be amazing.
Chewonki also boasts a work program in lieu of organized sports, which involves farm work and maintenance. This program can be milking cows, sawing wood, cooking meals, and much more. Students have some choice in how they help Chewonki’s surroundings. They additionally take students outside the campus into the larger community of Wiscasset on weekends for an array of activities including visits to art museums, skiing, and dinners.
The area around Chewonki is mostly organic farms, which results in awesome food. The school itself has its own working organic farm with cows, pigs, and even a plow horse too! Additionally animal-wise, Chewonki has some dogs belonging to the teachers and a cool rescue aviary for injured birds ranging from eagles to owls.
The students live in wood-burning, stove heated cabins, but also go on wilderness excursions into the frozen tundra; it will be spring in Maine after all. However from what I’ve seen, it won’t be frozen death. I am bringing a lot of wool clothing though.
Chewonki-ites also do two day solos, which consist of each student living on his or her own in forty eight hours of solitude. From what I gather, it sounds like a spirit walk mixed with light meditation sprinkled on some wilderness survival.
From my description, it sounds like Chewonki is hippy dippy fun and games, but from what I have gathered from alumni, family of alumni, admission’s officers, and my own reading, it’s so much more.
On the application it asks the future Mainers to describe themselves in six words, so I think I should do the same with Chewonki before I leave. My opinion is sure to change, and it may be fun to see the difference between my perspectives. Right now I think Chewonki Semester School is distinct, welcoming, mind-boggling, eco-friendly, alpine, and panoramic. Let’s see how it progresses with time.
Chewonki is probably worth more than a thousand words and cannot be described in a mere six if not an article of hundreds. Therefore, I’ll conclude with just a list of some important fast facts for those interested in Chewonki and the website’s links below.
- When was Chewonki established: 1988
- How many students attend Chewonki at one time?: approx. 40
- How many faculty members are at Chewonki?: 12
- What is the acceptance rate for prospective students?: approx. %60
- Does it have a mascot?: Yes, it’s an osprey. Caw-caw!
- Where do Chewonki students go onto: Bowdoin College, Oberlin College, Brown University. Impressive/intimidating right?
- Is it accredited?: Of course and by the reputable New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Does Chewonki offer financial aid?: Yes, and many students take advantage of this program.
- How long is a semester?: I believe 16 weeks with 2 week spring break. During spring break, they offer an extra one week wilderness trip too.
- How many courses can you take?: A total of 5 – English and science are mandatory subjects, but Chewonki offers a range of classes to fill up the other 3 spots.
Chewonki awaits! I’m getting more excited. I am itching to go. My experience at Verbo Divino was amazing even with a language barrier, so a school where I speak the language that is environmentally focused, which is also a totally new experience for me is a perfect situation!
If you are interested in the Chewonki Semester School, please follow the link above. If memory serves, the application deadline is February 20th, so start thinking about it!
This next link is for Chewonki’s summer camp for boys (sorry gals), but it does offer some wilderness adventures for girls, which can be found on this next link to the Chewonki’s women’s programs.
Chewonki is a foundation that offers a plethora of programs for teens. Why not take advantage of them? I’ll be sure to post some articles while I’m at Chewonki. It’s not abroad, but it sure as hell is different. It’s worth a few mentions. Chao for now!