AFTERNOON ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

"A concern for nature is not a defense of the environment, but of the sacred." 

Leslie Marmon Silko, a Laguna Native American, said this, and it captures well the sentiment we hope to instill in our Summer Program participants—that it is good to have a complete sense of where you live, because the land is a sacred gift from God.  Our students' participation in each afternoon enrichment activity is designed to change the perspective of all in terms of how they see the complex relationship between water, landscape, and the environment, while providing a formative experience that will draw the students together as a community over the course of the four week program, since all will participate in these activities at some point during the summer.  These enrichment activities are designed to be fun, hands-on, and educational!

Environmental and Marine Sciences
In the Environmental and Marine Sciences class the students are initiated into an understanding of the different marine environments through trips and activities on the bay, an excursion to a salt marsh, a boat trip to Prudence Island, and seining in the bay and nearby estuaries.

Summer Afternoon Landscape Painting
In the Plein Air class, (or open air painting, painting outside), students will receive an introduction to painting landscapes on location or nearby the Abbey campus. The focus of the activity will be drawing and painting from observation. Students will learn to study the world closely.  They will be given the opportunity to try different drawing and painting techniques. Classes will include demonstrations, relevant art history, and a chance to be outside studying and painting the unique southern Rhode Island landscape.

Sports and Activities
For the two weeks that students are not participating in the Painting or Marine Science activity, they will participate in organized sports.  Instruction will be given in tennis, squash, basketball, soccer, softball and other sports.  Following instruction, students will practice their new skills by playing the sports in an organized fashion.

It is also possible to participate in sailing, golf, or equestrian programs for an additional fee.