The Heathwood Hall Approach
PEAK
Adventure. Leadership. Growth.
Through curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular programs, the PEAK (Pursuits in Experiential Adventure and Knowledge) program offers every Heathwood Hall student—from age 2 through 12th grade—opportunities to push their limits, grow as leaders, and develop a lifelong love of adventure and the natural world.
EAK, founded in 1998, offers hands-on opportunities for wilderness exploration, environmental education, outdoor adventure, and leadership development. PEAK began as an opportunity for Heathwood Hall students to challenge themselves and gain confidence through experiences in nature and on high ropes elements. Today, PEAK continues to serve students EC-12, while also having grown to offer event services and programming to the broader community.
Adventure Activity Options
Activities are chosen based on your team’s size, time, and goals. Popular options include:
- Odyssey Course – High ropes team experience
- Alpine Tower – Individual climbing challenge with active belay
- SkyPark – Choose-your-own-adventure style ropes course
- Giant Swing – 30-foot pendulum swing
- Archery – Guided instruction and friendly competition
- Pond Adventures – Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and fishing
- Climbing Wall – Auto-belay and bouldering wall
- Initiatives – On-ground team problem-solving challenges
- Hiking/Biking – Nature trails on and off campus
- Camping – Tent or hammock camping, including offsite options
- Off-Campus Adventures – Guided hikes, river trips, and more
PEAK is for Every Highlander
Empowering students of all ages to grow as leaders, adventurers, and stewards of the natural world.
Through curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs, PEAK presents every single student at Heathwood Hall, from 2-year olds to 12 graders, with opportunities to push their limits, to become better leaders, and to develop a love of adventure and the natural world. In addition to curriculum-based formal Outdoor Education classes, PEAK offers after-school adventure programs, multi-day adventure outings and expeditions for Heathwood students, programs and events for special interest and non-profit groups, community education programs, corporate leadership training and team building programs, and summer camps and expeditions.
- promote an understanding and appreciation for the natural world,
- develop and enhance specific sets of outdoor and wilderness skills, including those associated with paddling, climbing, mountain biking, backpacking and Leave No Trace wilderness ethics,
- encourage positive and meaningful decision-making, communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills,
- expand self-imposed circles of comfort and ability by promoting safe opportunities for healthy risk-taking,
- inspire feelings of confidence, qualities of leadership, and a willingness to compromise,
- encourage social responsibility and engage the local community to improve the quality of life for others.
PEAK by Division
| Early Childhood |
|---|
| Our youngest adventurers in EC3 and EC4 paddle the campus pond, hike the Weston Nature Trail, and don climbing gear for special seasonal adventures—like “flying like reindeer” during the holidays. |
| Lower School |
| In Lower School, students enjoy after-school PEAK enrichment clubs that introduce foundational outdoor skills such as hiking, climbing, and paddling, all while learning the values of teamwork and persistence. |
| Middle School |
| Middle Schoolers participate in a dedicated PEAK class focused on outdoor adventure, personal challenge, and healthy risk-taking. Class trips and outdoor learning experiences help build confidence, self-awareness, and strong peer connections. |
| Upper School |
| Upper School students can take their PEAK journey to the next level by becoming PEAK Student Leaders (PSLs), mentoring younger students while honing their leadership skills. Students also participate in Wild X, join the Outdoor Club, and take part in domestic and international expeditions offered during Winterim and summer months. |