Join us Friday, September 17th – Sunday, September 19th for our 40th Anniversary Celebrations!
COVID-19 Protocol Update: Due to ongoing concerns about the Delta variant, we are adopting a version of our current visitor policy for this event. All attendees to Saturday’s events must show proof of vaccination (or proof of a negative PCR test obtained within the prior 72 hours) upon arrival on campus. Masks will be required when inside buildings (open only for restroom access), or at any point during food service (self-serve appetizer/finger food during the reception; buffet line for dinner), or any time that distancing is not possible.
PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION FOR OUR AUCTION AND DINNER HAS CLOSED. LATE REGISTRATIONS FOR FRIDAY NIGHT BOWLING, PICKUP SPORTS GAMES, AND OUR VIRTUAL COFFEE ARE WELCOME; LET US KNOW YOU’LL BE ATTENDING ONE OF THESE VIA EMAIL, OR JUST SHOW UP!
40th Weekend Schedule
Friday, September 17th
5-8pm (suggested) – Gatherings by class year and otherwise
Kick off the weekend by reconnecting with classmates and close friends from your days at The Academy! Contact Katherine Anderson for support scheduling a gathering for your cohort, and be sure to let us know what you have planned. Suggested locations: Ashfield Lake House (Ashfield), Floodwater Brewery (Buckland).
8-10pm – Bowling at Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley – For the 18+ crowd
Join us for socializing and bowling in a likely-nostalgia-invoking spot as we gather all together and begin celebrating four decades as a community. Food and drink available for purchase.
Saturday, September 18th
12:30-2:45pm – Pickup Soccer (12:30-1:30) and Ultimate (1:45-2:45) at The Academy – Families welcome
Dust off those cleats, revive your antique Aardvark swag, and join Ben Thompson P09, 12 and Katherine Anderson ’16 for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition! All skill levels welcome; participants encouraged to join for either or both games. Light refreshments provided.
Local Opportunities
Take a white-water rafting trip with Zoar Outdoor, explore the Deerfield Craft Fair, wander through Art In the Orchard, or visit the Big E for opening weekend! We invite you to take advantage of your weekend in the Hilltowns and Valley in these and other ways and encourage you to let us know of any other events taking place locally at this time.
5pm – Reception & Auction at The Academy – For the 18+ crowd
A special 40th Weekend iteration of our annual Cornucopia Auction! Gather with us at The Academy for late afternoon socializing, finger food and appetizers, beverages, and an opportunity to bid on a small selection of exciting items, including a variety of getaways (Martha’s Vineyard; Buck’s Harbor, ME; and Island Pond, VT!) a Greek dinner for six, and a local wine tasting. Have something you’d like to donate to this year’s auction? Let us know!
7pm – Dinner at The Academy – For the 18+ crowd
Our keynote event: a casual and inviting meal catered by former Academy chef Stan Langston and an opportunity to hear and share Academy memories, followed by dessert, campfire, and music. As attendees move through the buffet line and serve themselves, we’ll be asking everyone to wear masks and use hand sanitizer.
Sunday, September 19th
10am – Virtual Coffee
Wrap up the weekend, connect with Aardvarks near and far in breakout rooms, and continue to celebrate all that’s made The Academy special for four decades and counting.
Who Will Be There
We’re excited to announce that several beloved former Academy faculty members will make an appearance at our festivities, including (so far!) Dianne Grinnell, Ellen Zale, Todd Sumner, Jane Grant, Stephanie Purington, Cornelia Reid, Jayne Dane, Stephen Morganelli (Morgo), Sandy Warren, Rachel Merrell, and, of course, former Academy chef Stan Langston as our caterer!
An enormous thank you to our generous underwriters…
…and to our local friends providing us with delicious celebratory beverages!
