The Oxbow School | Overnight at Pinnacles National Park

Inside Oxbow

Overnight at Pinnacles National Park

11/08/15

Last week, a small bunch of OS33 spent a couple days away from campus, camping and hiking through Pinnacles National Park with Alex Keilty, our Science instructor, and Megan Broughton, our Residential Life Advisor. Organized by Sarah S and Grace Ann P, the trip was originally planned for Yosemite but when temperatures there rapidly plummeted in the days leading up to our departure, we quickly changed course for Pinnacles. It could not have been a more incredible place to explore together; whether sleeping under the Milky Way, summiting peaks, or descending into the cold caves.

About three hours south of Oxbow, Pinnacles is an otherworldy ancient volcanic field home to towering spires of rock, talus caves, condors, raccoons (the group is now very adept at driving them away), deer, and flocks wild turkey (bless their poor, bizarre souls). With over 30 miles of trails, we certainly had our pick of beauty and ended up hiking for about 15 miles through the chaparral and spires on Friday after a chilly night at the campgrounds with a breathtakingly clear view of the stars.

We're hoping to integrate similar trips into future semesters with help from student and faculty volunteers (and cooperative weather!).

All photos by Grace Ann P and Ellie J:

I have learned so many skills and habits that have made me a better person throughout my time here. To name a few: I have learned how to be a good roommate, how to communicate, and how to trust myself. I have learned the importance of staying hydrated, getting good sleep, and having a clean work space. I have learned how to share space both in the studios and dorms. Lastly, I have learned that it’s okay to advocate for what you need and that there is no harm in asking for help or support.

— Grace Reynolds, Fall 2023

It's been a whirlwind week, but also a time when I sang the praises of Oxbow to my colleagues. I've been thinking much about how Oxbow is an exemplar of true education. That art centers the curriculum is hardly surprising, and for those of us who work within the traditional educational mold Oxbow offers a gold standard of focused project based learning. Beyond the school's approach to immersive experience are the intangibles which make Oxbow different. The sense of community and of working together, even as each student retained their strong individual presence is palpable. The feeling of warmth and trust between the adults and the nearly adults in the Oxbow community could be felt throughout the campus. The openness of the architecture and interconnectedness of the three studios in themselves speak of the Oxbow philosophy and identity. More than form follows function, the physical attributes of Oxbow have a distinct warmth and invite exploration.

I'm sure that the ongoing challenges of leading and reinventing your school might sometimes keep you from having the time to see Oxbow with the fresh eyes of a visitor, but your steady presence and vision are really visible in every detail. Thank you for inviting me to one of the most profound experiences in my career.

— Ken Rush, Visual Arts Department, Packer Collegiate Institute

At Oxbow, I got to try inquiry-based learning for the first time. This allowed me to control the amount of rigor and the depth of research in my topic, as well as picking a topic that I found most interesting. From going through this new process of learning, I feel excited to go back to the rigor of my sending school to apply the inquiry-based perspective to my classes.

— Meave Cunningham, Fall, 2015

A School Like No Other