2022 LEAP Course Catalog

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ARIANAPOLIS

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LEAP WEEK 2022

Photo: K. Li '19

*Community Service *Cultural Immersion *The Arts

Adaptive Clothing

Meet Renee, a thirteen year old who has beaten insurmountable odds.

Renee has Trisomy 18. She spends a lot of her time in a wheelchair and eats through a feeding tube. When she was little, her grandmother adapted her onesies to allow her to use a feeding tube without exposing her stomach. For children and adults who need adaptive clothing, it can be difficult to find items that are functional, stylish, age appropriate, and the right size. Enter Aubray, a designer with extensive experience in making adaptive clothing. In this program, anyone interested in learning the basics of sewing will be partnered with a person in need of an adaptive clothing item and head off campus with a small group of students to learn from Aubray how to create stylish and practical adaptive clothing. Learn about inside-outside curves, overstitching and understitching a pocket, threading a needle, how to use a sewing machine, and much more!

Cost: Article of clothing + $200

Location: Off Campus

American Sign Language

*Field Study

Note: This course runs from Saturday, March 5 - Wednesday, March 9 Did you know that American Sign Language is the fourth most used language in the United States? In 1984, a 13-year-old foster child who was deaf was placed with Manuel Martin and his wife. During their year together, when Manuel tried and failed to find a class to learn sign language, he turned his disappointment into inspiration. He eventually became a full time interpreter and founded the American Sign Language (ASL) Academy. During this LEAP experience, participants will travel daily to the ASL Academy to learn the history and culture of the Deaf community, while mastering Level 1 and part of Level 2 American Sign Language.

Cost: $270

Location: Off Campus

*The Arts

Art at The Worcester Center for Crafts

Calling all artists! Head to The Worcester Center for Crafts to explore various types of art. Concentrate on folk art and create your own tree of life to be translated and formed into low fire white clay (one-day program). Then, learn about fiber arts, including how wool becomes a fiber substance and turned into felt (two-day program). Last, but certainly not least, participants will be introduced to metals, including, but not limited to, the process of hand sawing metal (brass and copper) into designs and the intricate process of drilling and piercing metal into more complex charms and small objects. No prior experience is necessary for any of the one-day or two-day programs offered during this week-long program.

Cost: $400

Location: Off Campus

Bee School & Apiaries

*Field Study

Green Knights, this one is for you! Honey Bees are in danger, which does not bode well for anyone who loves flowers, nature, or food. Do your part by learning the essential skills necessary to become a great beekeeper! Fear not if you are new to keeping a hive. This four and a half-day workshop immerses you in the foundations of beekeeping, from terminology to setup and organization of your first hive, to coverage of diseases that affect bees and honey production here in the Northeast.

Bee School sessions offer instruction and guidance from knowledgeable beekeepers and experienced professionals.

Cost: $40

Location: On Campus

*Community Service *The Arts

Baking for the Common Good

“Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.

And whoever has food should do likewise.”

Food insecurity and hunger are problems across the country and around the world, including here in Northeastern CT, where there are severe food shortages in food pantries. In this course, we’ll start feeding the world in our own backyard by joining forces with Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG), a small grassroots non-profit social service agency in North Grosvenordale, CT. TEEG provides a plethora of services to those in need, primarily in Thompson, Woodstock, and Pomfret, including assistance through food programs. In this LEAP program, you will learn to make basic, wonderful foods — and share that food with others.

Cost: ~$125 (Item list will be provided)

Location: On & Off Campus

European Passport at The Culinary Underground

*Field Study *The Arts

In addition to its architecture, history, and culture, Europe is known for its cuisine! In this four and a half-day program, travel off campus daily to The Culinary Underground, a cooking school for home chefs located in Southborough, MA. Learn how to make both savory and sweet cuisine from The British Isles, Spain, France, Italy, and Greece! Teaser alert: when “visiting” Greece, concentrate on knife skills, tzatziki, big Greek salad, lemon potatoes, chicken souvlaki, and baklava bites! καλή όρεξη, Bon Appetit! Enjoy your Meal! Buon Appetito! Buen Provecho!

Cost: $725

Location: Off Campus

*The Arts *Cultural Immersion

Dancing Around the World

Shake your “boov” thing — or learn how to! While we won’t be dancing with extraterrestrial beings during this four and a half-day program led

by Fred Astaire instructors, the experience will be out of this world! Learn the polka in Poland, the paso doble in Spain, the Argentine tango in Argentina, the waltz in Vienna, the salsa in Colombia, the swing & hustle in the USA, the rumba in Cuba, and the samba in Brazil. Oh my… I find myself unable to stop my body moving!

Cost: $115

Location: On Campus

Dog Training

*Field Study

Have you been trying to convince your pooch that eating your favorite dress is not acceptable? Interested in dog training as a hobby or career?

Here’s the opportunity of a lifetime! Work with Donna Savoie, proprietor of Pack of Paws Dog Training Facility, and her team in their 10,000 square foot training facility as you learn about the science and emotion behind getting Fido to behave — tried and true methods based in dog psychology. Chewed shoes, sweaters, and chairs begone!

Cost: $550

Location: Off Campus

*Field Study

Digital Media Strategist Entrepreneurship

In this course, learn critical content creation and management skills.

Intended for those who want to learn how to create and manage a business presence on social media, create content, interact and engage with customers, and evaluate the results of posts. End the course with a content management project, a real-world application of your skills. By the end, you will be able to: • Establish and manage a social media presence • Create a Facebook business page and an Instagram account for business • Understand how and why to create content for social media • Create a brand, tone, and voice for a social media presence • Create and manage a content calendar for your social media presence • Evaluate the performance of your content on social media in order to iterate and optimize performance • Manage social media content using real-world data Cost: $180

Location: On Campus

Naturalist Conservation Corps

*Field Study

Do you enjoy being outside? Are you considering studies and/or careers in environmental science? In this program at The Pomfret Audubon and Horizon Wings, engage in learning about our own environment and gain a better understanding of nature in Connecticut’s backyard.

Check out some of the possibilities from managing diverse habitats on a wildlife sanctuary, operating a successful raptor rehabilitation center, banding song birds, managing forests, tracking mammals, citizen science monitoring projects and more! The majority of the week will be spent outdoors. Come dressed for the weather of each day. Work gloves and boots a must. Programming will be subject to change due to weather and speaker availability.

Cost: $470

Location: Off Campus

*The Arts

Fanciful Fairies

Have you ever explored a forest filled with moss and dappled sunlight and believed — if only for a moment — that fairies are real? Tiny magical beings, human forms with gossamer wings, ready to spread magical fairy dust. They fly, play among us, and hide in gardens. In this workshop, led by renowned artist Cynthia Saari, create a fairy look for yourself, including flower crowns, wispy tutus, fanciful wands, and touches of makeup!

Cost: $50

Location: On Campus

Go Solar

*Field Study

Welcome to the world of renewable energy! In this online program, learn the basics of renewable energy (sun, wind and water), energy efficiency, electricity, and safety. Learn about technologies and trends, situations where each type of renewable energy system is most appropriate, and how to make a difference with your own energy consumption. Review the math skills needed to be successful in the solar industry and how to apply them and the tools and skills needed to work safely on solar PV systems of various sizes: Residential/Commercial Roof-Mounted PV Installation Safety and Large-Scale Ground-Mounted PV Installation Safety.

Cost: $60

Location: On Campus/Online

*Personal Challenge *Field Study

Hiking The Last Green Valley

Note: This course will run regardless of weather Hiking is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in nature while maintaining or improving fitness levels. With a bit of planning, you can become great at it in hardly any time, no matter the season. As the saying goes,“There is no bad weather, only bad clothing” — even on snowy or rainy March days. With Ranger Bill Reid as your guide, become certified in first aid, gather ideas about what to carry in your backpack, and then head out to The Last Green Valley for day-long hikes, learning about compass use and trail map reading along the way. Gain a greater appreciation for our area by learning about local lore, history, flora, and fauna. By the end of the week, lead a hike using your newfound skills!

Cost: $150

Location: Monday - On Campus, T-F - Off Campus

Hole in the Wall: Peer to Peer Community Service

*Community Service

Founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s mission is to ensure that every child, no matter their illness, can experience the transformational spirit and friendships that go hand-inhand with camp. In doing so, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to seriously ill children and their families, free of charge.

Hole in the Wall: Kids for Camp is a program developed to encourage students to conduct fundraising activities, gaining skills that will benefit them now and for years to come. Build your competence, connection, caring, confidence, and character by contributing to something positive!

During the weeklong period of LEAP, create a plan to conduct a successful fundraiser. Then, as a capstone, conduct the fundraiser, with all donations benefiting Hole in the Wall in the Spring of 2022.

Cost: Free

Location: On Campus

*The Arts

Journaling

“Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your mind.” - Natalie Goldberg Work with artist Jen Flannigan as you learn the ins and outs of formatting and art to enhance your personal journal — and enjoy the benefits of putting pen to paper! Writing in a journal, as a creative and cathartic outlet, can have a positive impact on mental health and overall wellbeing. Learn more about the benefits of journaling here: https:// positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/

Cost: $80 + the purchase of your own journal

Location: On Campus

NESS: Calling All Sailors

*Field Study *Personal Challenge

Note: This course runs on the following dates: 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21. Students who partake in this program cannot be participating in Spring sports.

The sound of the sea, the power of the wind, the saltiness of the Sound — what more could anyone want? Calling all sailors — or anyone interested in captaining, designing a boat, or discovering a new passion! Climb aboard a Sonar keelboat and identify the simple machines and technology of a sailboat. Work as a team to steer the boat, trim the sails, and navigate the waters of Stonington Harbor with a knowledgeable and safe sailing captain.

Cost: $260

Location: Off Campus

*The Arts

Quilting

Quilting (and the art of quilting) has a long history, traceable back to ancient Egypt. In Europe, Crusaders wore quilted garments under their armor for comfort, warmth, and protection. Although today we admire quilts for their beauty and consider quilting to be an art form, for much of their long history, quilts were created to be used. In the United States, quilting arrived with early European settlers, keeping homes less drafty and early settlers warm during long winters. In this week-long program, enthusiasts will become familiar with quilting terminology, the qualities of fabric, learn to sew a quarter inch seam allowance, develop rotary cutting skills, learn quick piecing techniques, and more! Each quilter will end the week with their own small quilt!

Cost: $270

Location: Off Campus

Thornfield Hall: Caring in our Community

*Community Service

Reed House, or "Thornfield Hall” as it is commonly referred to, is a beautiful example of turn of the century architecture — an elaborate and sophisticated Neo-Classical Revival design located within seconds of our campus, directly across the street from St. Albert’s dormitory. Even more beautiful than its exterior are the people who live there. Thornfield Hall was initially established as a private care residence for women with developmental differences. Today, it provides residents with a home-like atmosphere where they can learn and develop skills necessary to be a part of a community while living as independently as possible. Spend LEAP Week with Thornfield Hall residents, bowling, completing arts and crafts, eating out at McDonald’s, and more. Costs associated with this program include participation at events like bowling and the rental of shoes, eating at McDonald’s, etc.

Cost: See final line of course description

Location: Off Campus

*Personal Challenge

Wellness

What does wellness mean? You’re feeling well. No sniffles. Life is rosy.

You just went for a long walk. Enjoyed a delicious meal. In this LEAP program, come to understand wellness, in addition to related nutritional, spiritual, and therapeutic practices. From physical wellness and mental wellness to spiritual wellness and more, we’ll dive into what it means to be well.

Cost: ~$500

Location: On Campus

Woodworking

*Field Study *The Arts

Join local woodworker Tim Rainville in his shop, The Looking Glass, in Woodstock, CT. Tim handcrafts custom furniture with painstaking attention to detail, using beautifully figured hardwoods. As a oneperson shop, Tim develops designs with clients and builds pieces from start to finish. In addition to woodworking, learn about shop safety and electricity. By the end of the week, you will even have created your own lamp!

Cost: $450

Location: Off Campus

*Field Study *Personal Challenge

Knighthorse: Leadership & Public Speaking Through Shakespeare

Leadership is based on our ability to communicate effectively — to convey complicated thoughts and ideas to those who look to us for guidance, direction, and inspiration. Whether our audience numbers five or 5,000, to have any hope of swaying others to see our point of view, we must use language as our most powerful tool. Join Commander Ty Lemerande, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, career Public Affairs Officer, and commander in the United States Naval Reserve, and his wife, Amy — the owners of Knighthorse Theatre Company — as you hone your communication skills. Learn why “talking” is not enough and why talking with purpose, passion, and precision is key to crafting your argument and engaging your audience.

Cost: $335

Location: On Campus

Independent Study

*Any Area

Do you have the passion and dedication to develop your own LEAP experience? Speak with Mrs. Viens to share your Independent Study Proposal prior to the closing of the registration period.

Cost: Individual incurs all costs

*Any Area

Centers of Excellence Internship

This week is an opportunity for all Class of 2023 COE students to complete their internship requirement. While the internship can be completed at any time of the year, spring and summer are the most popular times. If your internship is coordinated for this spring and you would like to take advantage of this time to expand your experience, speak with Dr. Sembor prior to the closing of LEAP registration.