Kroka Expeditions

Description

About Kroka Expeditions Kroka Expeditions was founded by Misha Golfman and Lynne Boudreau in 1996, as a year round adventure school affiliated with Hilltop Montessori School in Brattleboro, Vermont. The initial emphasis of the program strived to combine elements from the "American Outdoor Tradition" (to which both Lynne and Misha were a part of as an Outward Bound instructors and guides at Mahoosuc Guide Service) and the "Russian Outdoor Tradition" (in which Misha was raised and educated). Other aspect of Kroka came from both partners seeing a need to change both traditional outdoor education (to make it less contrived and more real, and to bring stronger and lasting connection to nature) and traditional environmental education (to make it more engaging, inviting dynamic and real for children). The actual conception and curriculum of Kroka were the theme of Misha's master's project at Antioch New England Graduate School. Kroka's founding principle was to bring children into nature using the very dynamic modern pursuits of White Water Paddling, Climbing, Caving and Mountaineering. Our curriculum of natural sciences, traditional and indigenous craft skills, arts and music, and the philosophy of simplicity are brought into the experience in measured doses as participants become ready for them. The focus in teaching is always on positive change in the world, special human contributions to the society and wonders of nature, rather then on negative effects of human activity on the environment. Elements of were included in the curriculum starting in 1997 by Lynne, who was teaching at Morning Song Waldorf School at that time. The summer adventure program grew from its humble beginning of 35 students to be 240 strong, reaching into areas of sustainable small building design and construction, forestry, farming, fiber arts, subsistent hunting and ocean exploration in our hand made giant canoes. Soon, Misha and Lynne were approached by Johanna Gardner, one of Kroka's field staff with an offer to move the operation to her 100-acre Trollhaugen Farm in Newfane, VT. In 1999, Kroka was approached by the Waldorf School of Baltimore with a request to develop programming for the school. This marked the beginning of second arm of Kroka: Outreach Programs that supplement the Waldorf School curriculum. Each year dozen Waldorf schools from around the country come to Kroka to participate in learning expeditions and wilderness skills programs. Over the past nine years Kroka has developed wilderness skills and adventure curriculum for Waldorf grades 6 - 10, with many programs directly connected to the participating school's themes of study (Geology, Astronomy, Odyssey, etc). Five years ago Kroka made a decision to become a Waldorf Inspired school. Waldorf teacher training is now an integral part of our staff training along with the study of singing, eurhythmy and other Waldorf inspired art and movement forms. Experienced Waldorf educators join Kroka programs each summer to share their teaching experience and learn how we work with children in the outdoors. In 2006, Lisl Hofer, an experienced Waldorf teacher, joined Kroka as a first ever Semester Programs Coordinator.

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