Form 3 students, their advisors, and their senior prefects hopped on a bus on Sept. 10, and headed to Camp Merriwood in Orford, N.H., for a fun three-day trip filled with exciting activities and core memories.
A tradition that began in September 2022, this trip has allowed the freshman grade as a whole to bond, become familiar with their advisors and peers, and form new friendships as they start their first year of high school.
Camp Merriwood was founded in 1949 as an all-girls summer camp and is currently owned by former English teacher and KO alum David Hild and his wife, Susan. Located in the heart of New Hampshire’s Upper Valley, the camp offers students a range of exciting and engaging activities, including swimming in Upper Baker Pond and hiking up Mount Cube.
Form Three Dean and Upper School science teacher Alexa Tzanova, who organized the trip, said she ensured that this was an experience all students would not only look forward to, but also leave with a positive impact and excitement for their upcoming school year. “I think having this shared experience helps create unity, brings everyone on the same page, and everyone can talk about [it] when they get [older],” Dr. Tzanova explained. “I think what makes it really special is when they get to be form six, and they want to be in the position of the prefect who helped [them] and who was the example that [they] want to follow.”
As always, the freshman class is a diverse mix of graduates from the KO Middle School and new students alike; therefore, this trip was an opportunity to bring everyone together outside of the four walls of the classroom. Freshman Dalila Malz, who attended the KO Middle School, was delighted to share her experiences at Merriwood. “This trip allowed me to get to know my advisees, meet new people, and to be myself all through various activities and spending time with them in the cabins,” she said.
Not only was this excursion memorable for the freshman, but also for this year’s senior prefects. According to the prefects, they were part of the first freshman class at KO to attend Camp Merriwood in 2022, so returning this year was a full-circle moment for them. Senior Prefect Adam Gold talked about how fortunate he was to travel back to the place that started his and his peers’ journey at KO. “Coming back to the Merriwood trip was unreal,” he said. “I don’t think I would’ve connected with the same people my freshman year if I hadn’t gone on that hike and spent that time talking and getting to know them.”
Adam went on to say that it felt like an extraordinary round-trip moment, where, a few years ago, he had the opportunity to make new connections up there, and now he was watching others form new friendships in real time. He added that he was super excited to get to know his advisee group, make connections with his fellow Prefects, and see former KO teachers, such as former Middle School science teacher Josh Garrison, again. “There’s no better feeling than experiencing all the nostalgia when returning to such a special place as Camp Merriwood,” he said.
Overall, the Camp Merriwood trip continues to open the school year for freshmen successfully and serves as an excellent foundation for their high school careers. We wish you the best of luck and much success in your KO journey, Form 3!
