October 5, 2026, was a smashing good time as the Thetford Outdoor Program at TA hosted Cider Making Day! This was a true example of a community project, with students, staff, and families coming together for a common, and delicious, goal.
To prepare for this amazing day, students in Scott Ellis’s Outdoor Education class, Kate Reimanis’s Small-Scale Farming class, and Jessica Williams’s Cooking for Health class took a field trip to Riverview Orchard on Friday, October 2. While there, they learned all about the process of harvesting apples and how the business of running an orchard works. The students had a wonderful time learning the ins and outs of a successful apple business. They were able to connect what they are learning in class to their lives and potential futures.
Outdoor Education and Small-Scale Farming students then led the cider-making process for the school community to watch, learn, and actively participate. Throughout the day, classes from all over campus went to the new washpack house (built by students) to wash the apples, run them through the cider presses, and bottle the delicious product. At one point, there were 100 students learning and coming together as a community.
While we had apples to get us started, this day would not have been possible without the generous support of staff, students and their families who donated apples. We thank you very much for your support on this awesome day. This day was a true example of the mission we hold here at TA.
