8th graders spent three days contemplating the natural world, the relationship between the individual and the collective, and the role and function of government (among other things!). We spent time at landmarks precious to Henry David Thoreau—including the rare opportunity to spend the night at his birthplace and family home—before heading to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. On Friday, we headed to the Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield. Special thanks to Margaret Carroll-Bergman (Ms. Falco’s mom) for facilitating our stay at the Thoreau Birthplace, and for serving as our Thoreau tour guide.