Recreational Activities

Aikido

Classes and practice in the modern Japanese martial art Aikido. Please note this class starts late and runs late- 2:30-5pm.

Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding

We travel to Mount Snow on Wednesdays and Magic Mountain on Sundays, less than an hour travel to each. This activity is open to individ­uals of all skill levels. Mount Snow main­tains over 100 trails and has excellent snowmaking, while Magic offers a quintessential New England ski experience. Lessons are a required component of this activity, and students will be assigned to a group that appropriately matches their ability, from beginners to the most experienced skiers. Rental equipment is available for those who do not have their own gear. The fee for the coming winter is $500 for the lift tickets and lessons, $190 for equipment rental, and $25 for helmet rental. Financial Aid will be readily available for those that qualify. Contact Daniel.

Badminton

Back by popular demand- Badminton! It is more than just a lawn game. In many parts of the world it is a highly competitive sport. This year the class will be led by a student and will focus on basic skills as well as some more competitive play. This class will meet both indoors and outdoors and is open to players of all levels.

Dance - Ballet

Ballet I & Ballet II
In a supportive environment, technique classes focus on physical aspects such as core strength, flexibility, placement and alignment, articulation, and coordination. Musicality is stressed as an integral part of combining Ballet's physical demands and artistic requirements. Level I: All are welcome, no prior experience necessary. Level II: For dancers with previous experience, offering the opportunity to further expand movement vocabulary, strength, and ability. Ballet 2 will meet from 3:00-4:35 on Tuesdays and 4:40-6:10 on Fridays.

Dance - Ballet

In a supportive environment, technique classes focus on physical aspects such as core strength, flexibility, placement and alignment, articulation, and coordination. Musicality is stressed as an integral part of combining Ballet's physical demands and artistic requirements. Level II: For dancers with previous experience, offering the opportunity to further expand movement vocabulary, strength, and ability. Pointe, variations, and partnering may be offered, as appropriate.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoers enjoy scenic tours through the snowy woods, taking advantage of the school’s rural campus and miles of trails. If the snow is limited, the group of 10 or 15 students will go hiking instead. The school supplies snowshoes and students learn how to use them and main­tain them. Participants learn to appreciate the pace of snowshoe travel, the beauty of the winter landscape, and the ability to travel through areas normally inaccessible the rest of the year, such as wetlands.

Chumash and Lacross Skills

Chumash is a 3 on 3 lacrosse-like sport named after the First People of what is now southwest California. Students will participate in Lacrosse skills drills in this CO-ED activity. Students will also learn other games to hone their lacrosse skills-- stick handling, shooting accuracy, quick moving passes, and strategic defense. Each week will focus on a different core area and will include several different variations of the game.

Circus Arts

Welcome to circus! Try out the flipping, flexing, friend-building fun that is circus arts. This class has it all, giving students a chance to learn skills on a variety of circus equipment all while building strength, flexibility, coordination, and confidence. The activity will take place in the studios of NECCA - the New England Company for Circus Arts. We'll focus on aerial fabric, with additional time on trapeze, partner acrobatics, juggling, trampoline, german wheel, and hand balancing. All body types and skill levels are welcome - you don't have to be strong or flexible or confident with heights to try it out as there are skills and activities for everyone.

Climbing

This activity meets once a week for a 3 hour period and will both go outdoors to explore a wide range of rock types demanding a variety of climbing styles as well as make extensive use of the climbing wall in the Field House. At the wall, we’ll focus on building strength, endurance, and technique, making our climbing outdoors more productive and also helping to reduce the risk of injury. Students in the climbing program will help develop routes and problems on the climbing wall, learn about safety systems on the wall and outside on natural rock, and gain new skills and confidence at all levels of ability.

Creating Outdoor Spaces

We will work on creating and maintaining outdoor classrooms and meeting spaces. This might include (but is not limited to) surveying community wants and needs, weed whacking, weeding gardens, clearing trails or walkways, lighting and sound solutions, painting and installing signs, making a map of all the outdoor classrooms, and building simple stools and tables. There is room for creativity!

Earth Living Skills

This is a newly added course that centers around camp living. Students will practice building and maintaining camp fires, methods of constructing small temporary shelters, identifying wood, and a great deal of camp cooking. The course takes place entirely in the woods and participants should plan to work outside in all weather, including rain, and dress accordingly.

Expeditionary Endeavors

This course is designed to push students physically and mentally. Through a series of outdoor activities we will learn our limits and push our boundaries. There will not be room in this course for “I can’t”. We will find our selves through facing challenges together.

Renaissance-Style Fencing

This class will be an introduction to 15th Century Germanic martial traditions, studying the art of dueling with Longswords and exploring the rich history of swordplay during the High to Late Middle Ages. We'll be following the work of Hans Talhoffer, 15th century scholar and blade master, examining footwork, guards, blade work, and the legal and moral implications of dueling during the middle ages. Be prepared for a good workout, be sure to bring water, wear shoes that are comfortable to move in, and a long sleeve light-weight jacket or heavy shirt you feel comfortable moving and sparing in.

AM Fitness Conditioning

Get your heart rate up before morning classes! Research indicates this improves focus, mood, and overall energy levels for the day. Morning exercise with a focus on cardio and varied intense workouts. Highly recommended for students who experience difficulty staying engaged in morning classes. The AM Fitness "afternoon activity" runs from 7-7:30AM M-F. It counts for one afternoon credit.

Hiking

Hiking invigorates the body, calms the mind, and stimulates the senses. Most of our walks will be on trails through the woods and fields in the vicinity of the school. Come prepared to walk with comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or boots, a water bottle, jacket and hat (optional). We will walk in all weather. Walks will be designed to bring us back to campus by the end of the activity period.

Horseback Riding

Riding at Putney can be custom-fit to each individual rider’s needs. The focus is on the basics of dressage and stadium jumping and cross country jumping, along with miles of trails to explore. The stable is filled with wonderful school horses of various breeds and levels of training. From riding a school master to working with a green horse, students have many opportunities for development. The riding program focuses not only on riding but horsemanship and animal husbandry. Students learn to care for, tack up and evaluate their horses for conformation, soundness, and general behavior. They get to see the veterinarians and farriers care for the horses. There is the opportunity for leasing if a student develops a special relationship with a school horse. Students may also choose to bring their own horse as room in the stable allows. There is an extra riding fee for this program and need-based scholarship money is available. It is open to riders of all levels from beginner through advanced. Students need to have their own helmets, riding boots, and safety vest. Helmets must be less than five years old and never had a fall.

Dance - Modern Jazz

Jazz Dance I & Jazz Dance II
One day a week, dancing to live percussion, we focus on Modern Dance, combining elements of the Horton, Graham, and Limón Techniques, influenced by other diverse styles. On the other day, following a vigorous workout focusing on full-body strength, flexibility, and technique, students explore contemporary styles of jazz and improvisation with an emphasis on rhythm, energy, and fun! Level I: All are welcome, no prior experience necessary. Level II: For dancers with previous experience, offering the opportunity to further expand movement vocabulary, strength, and ability. Partnering and advanced performance techniques may be offered, as appropriate. Jazz 2 will meet from 4:40-6:10 on Mondays and 3:00-4:35 on Thursdays.

Dance - Modern Jazz

One day a week, dancing to live percussion, we focus on Modern Dance, combining elements of the Horton, Graham, and Limón Techniques, influenced by other diverse styles. On the other day, following a vigorous workout focusing on full-body strength, flexibility, and technique, students explore contemporary styles of jazz and improvisation with an emphasis on rhythm, energy, and fun! Level I: All are welcome, no prior experience necessary. Level II: For dancers with previous experience, offering the opportunity to further expand movement vocabulary, strength, and ability. Partnering and advanced performance techniques may be offered, as appropriate.

Lacrosse - Recreational

Open Rec Lacrosse will build skills in the game of High Schools Girls Lacrosse. It is a two day activity focusing on conditioning, skill building and scrimmages using the rules and equipment of High School Girls Lacrosse.
This activity is open to all genders.

Dance - Modern Jazz

One day a week, dancing to live percussion, we focus on Modern Dance, combining elements of the Horton, Graham, and Limón Techniques, influenced by other diverse styles. On the other day, following a vigorous workout focusing on full-body strength, flexibility, and technique, students explore contemporary styles of jazz and improvisation with an emphasis on rhythm, energy, and fun! Level I: All are welcome, no prior experience necessary. Level II: For dancers with previous experience, offering the opportunity to further expand movement vocabulary, strength, and ability. Partnering and advanced performance techniques may be offered, as appropriate.

Dance - Modern Jazz

Modern Jazz I & Modern Jazz II
One day a week, dancing to live percussion, we focus on Modern Dance, combining elements of the Horton, Graham, and Limón Techniques, influenced by other diverse styles. On the other day, following a vigorous workout focusing on full-body strength, flexibility, and technique, students explore contemporary styles of jazz and improvisation with an emphasis on rhythm, energy, and fun! Level I: All are welcome, no prior experience necessary. Level II: For dancers with previous experience, offering the opportunity to further expand movement vocabulary, strength, and ability. Partnering and advanced performance techniques may be offered, as appropriate.

Dance - Modern Jazz

One day a week, dancing to live percussion, we focus on Modern Dance, combining elements of the Horton, Graham, and Limón Techniques, influenced by other diverse styles. On the other day, following a vigorous workout focusing on full-body strength, flexibility, and technique, students explore contemporary styles of jazz and improvisation with an emphasis on rhythm, energy, and fun! Level I: All are welcome, no prior experience necessary. Level II: For dancers with previous experience, offering the opportunity to further expand movement vocabulary, strength, and ability. Partnering and advanced performance techniques may be offered, as appropriate.

Mountain Biking

The group rides on school trails and local dirt roads. There is one long ride each week, and one shorter ride that focuses on technique and other specific skills. Each student is encouraged to ride at other times of the week to best develop their skills and fitness. Occasionally, when the weather is inclement, we’ll take time to clean and perform routine maintenance on our bikes. Students need to bring their own bike helmets.

Recreational Basketball

There will be a few slots available in the girls basketball team for students who would like to hone their basketball skills, but not participate in interscholastic competitions. The recreational basketball practice days are Monday and Thursday.

Pond Hockey

In a fun and invigorating activity, skaters of all levels will learn the basics of the classic, wide-open sport of Pond Hockey. The emphasis is on having fun, learning teamwork, improving skating and stick handling and most importantly getting outside on the ice for some winter exercise. The school provides helmets and sticks, students use their own skates. When not on ice we will be either hiking or playing floor hockey indoors.

Recreational Rowing

The spring rowing program is a two-day activity. Participants start the season with dry land training focusing on using the indoor rowing machines as well as developing basic fitness. Once river rowing conditions allow, we transition to practices on the Connecticut River where the focus is on sculling and students have the opportunity to row in a single, double, or quadruple sculls. Students maintain our fleet of boats, the boathouse, and installing our docks.

Running and Fitness

Students will combine running on our beautiful trail system and local roads with stretching and strengthening exercises. The combination is guaranteed to leave you feeling fit and healthy. And it’s a great way to work up an appetite for dinner.

Cross Country Skiing

Putney offers a recreational cross-country ski program on its 40 kilometers of groomed trails. Skiers of all levels have the opportunity to learn and strengthen their nordic ski skills and develop a love of winter sport. The school has equipment available for the recreational ski program. Students in the recreational xc ski activities will be charged a non-refundable $50 user fee to cover the cost of wear and tear of the ski equipment. This includes use of skis, boots and poles.

Financial aid is available for students who qualify.

Self Defense

The Martial Arts/Self Defense Afternoon Activity will be a collaboration of styles and mindsets designed to unify participants as a team, while encouraging independent strength and growth. We will focus on training both students’ physical and mental selves to become confident in their bodies and self defense capabilities. Self reliance is our goal.

Ski/Snowboard Campus Terrain Pk

This year's alpine program is, like many other things in 2020/2021, a little different. This winter we will meet on Wednesday afternoons for an on-campus skiing and riding activity. Our primary focus will be on designing, building, and using a terrain park to be located somewhere on campus. On days when the weather does not permit skiing/riding, students will work on design and fabrication of features for the park. This activity in not appropriate for beginner skiers and riders; you should be able to link a series of turns and stop reliably in order to participate. We may be able to arrange rental equipment for participants, depending on what is available from our local rental shop. There will be an additional charge for rentals; financial aid available if needed.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoers enjoy scenic tours through the snowy woods, taking advantage of the school’s rural campus and miles of trails. If the snow is limited, the group of 10 or 15 students will go hiking instead. The school supplies snowshoes and students learn how to use them and main­tain them. Participants learn to appreciate the pace of snowshoe travel, the beauty of the winter landscape, and the ability to travel through areas normally inaccessible the rest of the year, such as wetlands.

Soccer - Recreational

Open Rec Soccer is a two day activity open to all levels focusing on skill building and scrimmages. This activity is open to all genders. You may only sign up for one, no both sections

Spanish Language Activities

Description to come

Sport Fencing

Sport fencing is the recreational sport of swordplay that can be enjoyed by people of any age, size or gender and offers a multitude of benefits. Fencing is both a physical and a mental workout, in which fencers learn to hone their strategies against opponents of varying skill levels, and build up physical endurance, agility, and accuracy. The object of fencing is to score a point or touch by hitting your opponent’s target with your weapon before they get the scoring touch on you. The three weapons of fencing are foil, saber, and epeé. We will be using the foil. This is an introductory activity open to all levels and all abilities. Come join the fun- who doesn't like playing with swords.

Conditioning

In Sports Conditioning, we spend the trimester working to develop a comprehensive individual level of fitness for each student. We gear our workouts towards increased strength and flexibility and utilize an approach which features personal goals, safe stretching techniques, and functional training to prepare students for an active spring!

Tai Chi

This class offers students an opportunity to explore a variety of Chinese martial arts and culture. Practices integrate body and mind in relation to nature, to animals, and to the universe. The class environment cultivates the spirit of self-discipline and respect of self and others, exercising inner strength and endurance. Students will study the principle of yin and yang balance that is embedded in the movement: slow and fast, soft and determined, inner energy, and outer energy. Forms are introduced through animal poses, sword practice, and calligraphy. The class traces the tradition, history, and philosophy of kung fu by viewing historical footage along with learning the Chinese language.

Recreational Ultimate Frisbee

Discover your inner athlete with Recreational Ultimate! Our primary mission will be to run around and play with the amazing flying disc. As we learn the game of Ultimate, we will focus primarily on developing throwing and catching skills, as well as some fundamental strategies that are universal to the game. In the Spirit of the Game, the more the merrier! (For all skill levels, recreational Ultimate is a 2-day activity.) This activity is open to all genders.

Volleyball

We will meet two afternoons a week and will work to successfully volley with and against each other. The main components of the game: passing, setting, hitting, digging, and serving, will be the central work of our time together. This activity is all-gender, and welcome to beginners as well as volleyball players of all skill levels. The goal is to learn the game and have fun!

Weights and Fitness

Students participate in a variety of resist­ance activities. The weight room offers free weights, aerobic exercise machines (rowing, running), and strength-training machines. Abilities range from athletes who are training for other sports to people who just want to get in shape. Individualized programs are designed to meet all fitness needs.

Wilderness Skills

Learn the necessary skills and self confidence to operate in the wilderness with minimal equipment. We will learn shelter construction, how to build and maintain a safe campfire, back country cooking, and identification of edible plants. The activity will culminate with a camping trip and the opportunity to stay in a debris shelter overnight. We will be outside every day, rain or shine, and will alter our tasks based on the weather and season, including fire building in the rain.

Yoga

Students will learn basic Hatha yoga pos­tures in the Kripalu and Ashtanga traditions. Each class will begin with a flowing series of strengthening and balancing postures, followed by slow stretching and a long relaxation period. We will also learn partner postures.