On November 7th, two poetry classes, taught by Ms. Palmer and Mr. Archambault, ventured to Ripton, Vermont. On this trip, they retraced and delved into Robert Frost’s life. They explored the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail, the Robert Frost House, and the Bread Loaf School of English.
In preparation for the field trip, each class examined Frost’s life and impact on Vermont. Mr. Archambault’s class reviewed many of his greatest works, developing a deeper understanding of his motivations and writing style. Ms. Palmer assigned group projects in which the class studied his entire life, from early childhood to later life.
Their first stop was the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail. The group walked along the raised path, taking photos and enjoying the scenery. The students took turns reading the many poems posted along the trail. Such poems included “The Road Not Taken,” “The Pasture,” and “The Last Mowing.” This trail commemorates Frost’s legacy, as his poems and the surrounding nature blend to create a unique experience.
The classes then ventured to the Robert Frost House. As they arrived at the Homer Noble Farm, they were able to view Frost’s quiet summer home. The class could not access the inside of his home. However, they did have access to his log cabin at the top of the hill. This is where the class explored the cozy space in which Robert Frost created many of his works. Then, the group got the unique opportunity to write poems inside his cabin. This location immersed the group in Frost’s world as they drew inspiration from his home. “When we walked into the cabin it felt like we were time-traveling,” stated Aurora Gilmond, one of the attendees from Ms. Palmer’s class.
The group made their way to the Bread Loaf School of English for their last visit. As they arrived on campus, they were met with distinctive yellow and green buildings. The group walked the grounds where Robert Frost taught for many years and shared his art at the Bread Loaf Writers Conference. As they passed through, they explored buildings such as the Little Theater and The Barn. Afterward, they all sat in front of the Bread Loaf Inn and ate lunch.
Once they had soaked in the wonders of the campus and the surrounding scenery, the classes boarded the bus and headed back to Bellows Free Academy. “It was an individual, friendship-building, educational experience that I would not have gotten anywhere else,” said Liv Raymond, one of the students in attendance, as she reflected on the trip in its entirety.
