Each summer, the Thetford Outdoor Program offers several opportunities for Thetford Academy students to have immersive outdoor leadership experiences and adventures. TOP Summer Leadership programs are announced each winter and open to all TA students in grades 7-12, and to students from our sending schools in the Upper Valley.
TOP Summer Leadership Program
TOP Summer Leadership opportunities for summer 2026 include: CT River Canoe Trip, Appalachian Trail Backpacking and right here on campus, Garden Camp and a Trail Crew.
Each summer, TOP also hires student interns to help support our summer programs. This is a great opportunity for students who have participated in past TOP summer programs to advance their leadership skills and build valuable work experience.
Registration for TOP Summer Leadership 2026 programs are now open. Spaces are limited and we will accept registrations on a first come, first serve basis. If you have questions please email [email protected].
June 15-19, 2026
Students will spend a week paddling a local section of the Connecticut River. Along the way, they will camp at primitive campsites, develop paddling and leadership skills, and learn about the natural world.
There is a $450 fee for this program to cover food, permits, staffing, and equipment costs.
June 22-26
Students explore the Appalachian Trail on a week long backpacking trip. Along the way the group will be camping at primitive campsites, developing leadership skills, and interacting with the beautiful scenery along this amazing trail.
There is a $450 fee for this program to cover food, permits, staffing, and equipment costs.
July 13 – 17, 2026
Enjoy the great outdoors by way of TA’s school garden and the agricultural resources of the greater Upper Valley. Students will spend time working and learning in the garden at TA, with afternoon garden-inspired crafts, activities, and local field trips.
There is a $250 fee for this program to cover materials and staffing costs.
June 15-19, 2026
This week-long work experience engages students in all aspects of trail maintenance and development. Students will work building and improving trail networks in the Thetford Hill State Forest, and on TA’s vast, 295-acre forested campus. The crew meets Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with four days of work and one-day team activity and hike. Students must be entering 9th grade and complete an application and interview to be accepted into the trail crew.
Students are compensated $100 for the week.
Each summer, TOP hires student interns to help support our summer programs. This is a great opportunity for students who have participated in past TOP summer programs to advance their leadership skills and build valuable work experience. In 2026, we will be hiring interns for trail crew, the CT River canoe trip, the backpacking trip, and garden camp.
Garden Camp Interns
July 13-17, 2026
Do you love to be outside? Garden? Lead groups of enthusiastic campers? Then apply to become a garden intern!
Garden interns will work alongside the School Garden Coordinator during the week of summer garden camp. Tasks include helping other campers work in the garden, make crafts, and cook delicious garden-based snacks like pickles and salsa. Interns will help lead games and help with off-campus excursions to nearby farms for fun activities, such as berry picking and exploring, Monday-Friday, 8:30am – 3pm.
Garden interns can expect to:
- Support gardening and outdoor cooking activities
- Help with set-up and clean-up throughout the week
- Keep our campers happy and physically and emotionally safe
- Assist with watering, weeding, planting, harvesting, and processing produce as needed
Desired Skills/Traits:
- Interest and/or experience working with younger teens
- Ideas for games, crafts, and/or cooking
- Physical and mental ability to be an outdoor leader in all types of weather
- Positive, energetic, patient
- A good role model
Interns are compensated $50 per day, 5 days per week, equally $250.
To apply, click the button below or email Kate Reimanis at [email protected].
Summer Garden Apprentices
Do you enjoy working outside, growing food, and learning about plants? The summer garden apprentices will work alongside the Garden Coordinator to plant, water, weed, harvest, and tend the school garden.
This position has a 4-6 hours per week commitment, for 5-6 weeks, June- August. We will create the schedule together, based on your other summer plans.
Qualifications:
- willingness to do physical work outside
- ability to be work even if when hot, sweaty, and dirty
- be on-time and reliable
- use tools safely
- have a positive attitude
Students are compensated $15 per hour.
To apply, click the button below or email Kate Reimanis at [email protected].
Scholarship Fund
Give the gift of an outdoor adventure. Your contribution to the TOP Summer Leadership scholarship fund allows families with limited financial means to participate in our summer programs.
