Whether it’s walking around the mall in Washington, DC, skinning up backcountry trails, exploring the streets of downtown Boston or the backroads leading to local farms, the power of Project Period, Proctor’s five day, immersive small group program that kicks off the Spring Term each year, remains the same. We pride ourselves on an educational model that features academic courses rooted in experiential learning, and Project Period provides an opportunity for students and faculty to join together to explore their passions outside of the classroom.
This year, more than thirty-five different faculty-sponsored projects range from dog sledding in Northern Maine, to exploring the shores of Cape Cod, backcountry skiing in Vermont, taking a hunter safety course, quilting, maple sugaring, baking, yoga, rebuilding a biofuel engine, learning about the history of New England port cities, and so much more.
While the individual goals of projects vary, each seeks to expose students to at least one of four main themes: community service, wilderness exploration, cultural immersion, or a new skill. Proctor’s commitment to open the Spring Term with this immersion learning opportunity dates back to the mid-1970s, and if you were to ask any alum about some of their most memorable experiences, Project Period would certainly come to mind.
Project Period affords faculty members the opportunity to dig deep into their passions. When students witness faculty immersing themselves in the projects, the energy is infectious, and we have the opportunity to understand the multiple dimensions that define each of our lives. Yes, learning new skills and being exposed to new disciplines is important, but when you cut to the core of Project Period, it is about building new relationships with each other.
When you add alumni, parents, and local expert involvement to the mix, the depth of learning, quality of final projects, and, of course, fun present during Proctor’s Project Period make for a wonderful way to start the term! Thank you to all of our faculty for the energy and enthusiasm brought to this year’s Project Period, and to coordinator Starr Fair for her countless hours of organizing, planning, and supporting our project leaders.
Check out more photos from Project Period 2024!
- Experiential Learning
- Project Period