Outdoor Education
It’s no wonder that Holderness counts Olympic skiers, world-class mountaineers, and everyday adventurers among its graduates.Situated at the confluence of New Hampshire’s mountains, lakes, and rivers, Holderness is the perfect home for students who love to play, live, and learn outdoors
Outdoor Learning
In-class lessons are enriched by our unparalleled access to New Hampshire’s mountains, waterways and forests. Whether visiting Squam Lake for a biology lab or touring the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, students have countless opportunities to learn from the natural environment that surrounds our quiet New England campus.
Orientation Hike
As soon as new students arrive on campus, they depart for O-Hike, a multi-day, outdoor orientation. In this relaxed introduction to Holderness life, students will camp and hike, meet their teachers, and start forming friendships that will last a lifetime.
Mountain Day
Hiking. Mountain biking. Rock Climbing. Check out scenes from our annual Mountain Day in the White Mountains.
Building Leaders and Stewards
"The outdoors is a balanced educator. When students push themselves physically and emotionally in outdoor pursuits, they can at the same time be imbued with self-confidence and the knowledge that they can do hard things and humbled as a human by the vastness, power, and indifference of the natural world.
From studying in these places, we learn of the Earth's durability when experiencing geology, and its fragility as we witness the intricate dance of ecology. These realizations ground us not in being saviors of the earth, but stewards of and contributors to something much bigger than us, that we are part of.
This balance of confidence in self and humility as a human and of respecting both the durability and fragility of nature is a key trait of leaders and stewards."
- Erik Thatcher, Director of Outdoor Programs
Out Back
An 11-day winter backpacking expedition through New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Out Back has been a rite of passage for generations of Holderness students. It’s a life-changing experience for many teenagers, who learn valuable outdoor skills and gain confidence in themselves as they overcome new challenges.
Adventure Sports
Would you rather go mountain biking than play a traditional team sport? At Holderness, you can join one of our adventure-based teams. Options range from mountain biking and rock climbing to whitewater kayaking, winter mountaineering, and big mountain skiing.
Outing Club
Whether they’re summiting Mount Washington in winter or skinning up nearby Tenney Mountain before class, the Outdoor Club knows how to make the most of the mountains, lakes, and rivers around campus. Led by experienced and knowledgeable faculty, the Outdoor Club introduces students to exciting - and safe - outdoor experiences.
Mountain Day
On the third Monday in September, the entire school spends the day hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, and canoeing in the White Mountains. It’s a celebration of the outdoors in true Holderness style.
Winter Desert Trip
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Location, Location, Location
Our Community
Leadership & Service
Take the Next Step
Is Holderness right for you? The best way to find the right boarding school is to reach out. Check us out in person in New Hampshire or virtually. See why Holderness is more than a school, it's an elevated experience.