Testimonials
"This has been the most memorable experience of my life. I truly treasure all the dedication my teachers put forth every day...I felt cared for and important. Thank you so much."
-Allison Gaston-Enholm (The Westminster Schools; Atlanta, GA)
"This has been one of the most intense experiences of my life and worth every second...I learned so much about myself and building a community."
-Laura Northrop (MAST Academy; Miami, FL)
"This place is so special, and it is wonderful to learn to live in a community. I have learned so much here and I feellike I hav e become a stronger and better person. Thank you for this wonderful experience."
-Amanda Goyer (Walton High School; Atlanta, GA)
“Your dedication, creativity, nurturance, and ability to connect with the kids is truly a gift!...The combination of academics, community living, outdoor adventures, friendships with the staff, as well as other students, has enriched her life beyond our wildest dreams. We can’t thank you enough.”
-Karen Selig & Jack Merwin / Alyssa Merwin’s parents
(The Bolles School; Jacksonville, FL)
“Because of The OA, these young people can now go forward, more richly able to understand the importance of the respect for self and for others and the deep responsibility between the two... They each have new awareness of their own value and the wealth of true friendships. [They can] make decisions which will be true to the person they sincerely want to be... All of the experiences of The OA and your enduring attention have and will continue to help each of your students to develop a “life song,” one which will honor the goodness around them always.”
-Celia O’Briant / Johanna O’Briant’s mother (Chapel Hill High School; Chapel Hill, NC)
“You are who you say you are and do what you say you do. I appreciate the clarity of your expectations and program. Thank you so much for giving Morgen an opportunity to develop a sense of community and to develop herself within a sense of community.”
-Barbara Piper / Morgen Piper’s mother
(Sandia Preparatory School; Albuquerque, NM)
“These grades (honor roll grades) tell us and YOU that The OA really did serve Molly’s academic advancement well. You challenged her and kept her up to Salem speed!”
-Mary Beth Blackwell-Chapman / Molly Chapman’s mother
(Salem Academy; Winston-Salem, NC)
“You’ve returned to us a much more mature, patient daughter than we sent you. Katie’s experience at The Outdoor Academy was such an IMPORTANT influence on her life. I was tempted to say that it changed her dramatically, but what it actually did was call forth interests and abilities that were always there but deeply hidden -- so that she is more fully herself now as a result of her time with all of you.”
-Georgene Clower / Katie Clower’s mother
(Heathwood Hall Episcopal High School; Columbia, SC)
“You have made a significant effort to emphasize a strong academic curriculum, assuring parents that their sons or daughters won’t miss out on the 3 R’s with the great teachers you have recruited to provide and continue their core curriculum, and by marketing for the success of The Outdoor Academy, and by allowing a successful re-entry back to their home school....I am so happy this opportunity came Katie’s way and look forward to watching her future play out with many reflections and memories of The Outdoor Academy weaving in and out of the experiences and paths that she chooses ahead. The exposure to so many new people, places, issues, creatures and experiences are hers to keep forever, and I think she will.”
-Kay and Barrett Gunter / Katie Gunter’s parents
(Durham Academy; Durham, NC)
“The Outdoor Academy helped me think about my whole life and what I need to do to make what I want happen.”
-Katie Rauch (St. Paul’s School for Girls; Baltimore, MD)
“We consider The Outdoor Academy to be an educational work of art. Our initial expectation was that OA would be an especially valuable experience outside of academics. Somewhat to our surprise, Zach gained as much academically as nonacademically.”,
-Calvin & Molly Miller / Zach Miller’s parents
(University School of Nashville; Nashville, TN)
“This fall, Brooks embarked on a journey and an adventure that has swept all of us up. Her experiences at The Outdoor Academy have amazed, inspired and changed us. Her semester in and around the Pisgah Forest has been filled with learning in new ways about everything from American literature to living responsibly in a community.”
-Marilyn Rosenberg / Brooks Rosenberg’s mother
(Walton High School; Atlanta, GA)
“It is rare around our house if a week passes without a reference to Spencer’s semester at OA; that semester was a blissful experience; self-confidence was developed and strong friendships were made; some wonderful epiphanies happened for Spencer while he was with you and all of them were positive.”
-Mike and Penny Pope / Spencer Pope’s parents
(Pace Academy; Atlanta, GA)
“Such a profound experience! The living of great values, the examination and embracing of personal integrity, the special blessings of community living . . . OA provided Nina with strong academic experiences but also those pivotal personal experiences, the high moments, the grand adventures that focus and inspire and enlighten a lifetime.”
-Laura Lea and Neale Elliott / Nina Elliott’s parents
(Heritage High School; Conyers, GA)
“The daily experience of living together in an interdependent community with high expectations of each person teaches us to better understand, forgive, cooperate, listen, and learn….I think that at OA I learned to see the positive in what I do. I am making my life more meaningful to me. I’m taking a welding class, something that I have been interested in for years now, and am looking for a community service project that I can help with – such as habitat restoration in the city. OA has helped me mature and think clearly about my life. I learned much more there than what was taught in classes, and am still learning from what I accomplished there as I return to my life here, at home.”
-Ben Lerer (St. Ignatius College Preparatory School; San Francisco, CA)
“I would like to let you know that you have made a difference, that you have helped shape who I am and made me a happier, better person. I told a 70-year-old retired English teacher that I might like to teach someday. He said ‘Yes, but it’s a gamble; you never know if you have made a difference.’ If it is a gamble, you all have won. I learned so much from each of you, and a piece of you lives on through me.”
Jon King (Hume-Fogg Academic High School; Nashville, TN)
“Every time we talk to Brad, he says “Thank you for letting me come here.” He is as happy as I have ever seen him, and he’s always been a pretty easy-going, happy kid…It is clear from Brad’s comments that his classroom experience at OA is outstanding. He is not being TAUGHT, he is FULLY ENGAGED IN LEARNING, and he is absolutely delighted with the process (and it seems to be entirely painless!).”
- Melanie Heacock / Brad Heacock’s mother
(St. Paul’s School for Boys; Baltimore, MD)
