Grade 8 Adventure Trip: Reaching New Heights in the Adirondacks

For more than 30 years, the Grade 8 Adventure Trip to Keene Valley, New York, in the Adirondacks has been a Far Hills tradition, giving our oldest students an opportunity to challenge themselves, strengthen their relationships, and build skills they will carry with them long after they return to campus.

Taking on New Challenges

The adventure began at Experience Outdoors, where students took on a treetop course featuring 34 physical obstacles and three zip lines woven throughout the Adirondack forest. Their previous experiences on the Far Hills ropes course helped prepare them to approach each new challenge with confidence, perseverance, and a willingness to support one another.

That spirit of teamwork continued the following morning when students traveled to the Ausable Club and divided into two hiking groups to ascend Noonmark Mountain and Round Mountain. Equipped with water, food, and emergency supplies, the groups set out for approximately three hours of demanding hiking before reaching their respective summits. Experienced hikers offered tips and encouragement along the way, while classmates continually checked in with one another to help ensure everyone reached the top. At the summits, students enjoyed lunch together and took in sweeping views of the Adirondack Mountains—a memorable reward for their perseverance and teamwork.

Beyond the physical challenges, the trip created time for reflection and connection. During the traditional opening campfire overlooking Mirror Lake, students discussed their experiences from the day and shared goals for the remainder of the trip. A closing campfire brought the class together once more to reflect on their goals for the school year and the legacy they hope to leave as the Class of 2027. In between, students enjoyed some of the traditions that have made the trip memorable for generations of Falcons, including time in Lake Placid Village and the much-anticipated annual belly flop contest.

A Tradition Across Generations

More than an outdoor adventure, the Grade 8 trip puts into practice many of the skills students develop throughout their Far Hills education. Leadership, resilience, collaboration, and empathy are woven into each experience, giving students the opportunity to see what they can accomplish both individually and together as they begin their final year at Far Hills. This year, several students even followed in the footsteps of family members who participated in the Adventure Trip years before them, creating a shared connection to a Far Hills tradition that has brought generations of students together.