By Richard Chavka, Director of North Campus Operations
Despite the unpredictable spring weather in South Kent, where April temperatures average highs of 57°F and lows around 38°F—with plenty of rain in between—activity on North Campus is in full bloom.
A dedicated afternoon crew of eight students has been hard at work advancing a number of key campus revitalization projects. Their efforts have included completing raised garden beds with enriched soil, constructing essential growing tables for seed trays, and building new decorative raised beds to enhance the landscape.
Preparations are also underway to relocate one of the storage sheds closer to the greenhouses—an important step in streamlining daily operations. Meanwhile, the second hoop house is being cleared and readied for planting. This includes securing the movable sides and reinstalling plastic coverings as needed to ensure a controlled, productive growing environment.
Inside the greenhouses, students are planting both cool- and warm-weather seeds in trays. These seedlings will be transplanted in the coming weeks, marking another exciting step in our seasonal cultivation.
Beyond the fields and greenhouses, the Kitchen has remained an active hub of community and hospitality. A celebratory dinner was recently held in honor of the Fifth Form, and several events for local organizations, including the Kent Lions Club, are on the calendar. Plans are also underway to expand the weekly culinary program for students through the end of the academic year, offering more hands-on learning and connection to the food they help grow.
Looking ahead, planning for the next academic year has already begun. A key focus will be partnering with both the STEM and Humanities departments to develop new courses that draw on the unique resources of the North Campus. These interdisciplinary offerings will aim to bridge practical experience with academic insight—bringing our mission of thoughtful, hands-on learning to life.