Unleash your inner lifeguard! Join us for a dynamic, challenging, and rewarding lifeguarding class through the American Red Cross. Throughout the course, students will learn lifesaving skills necessary to earn certification in Advanced Water Safety, CPR and First Aid.  Participants will work as a team  to activate and execute the necessary steps and protocols in a life-threatening emergency and learn how to keep aquatics facilities safe and functional.

This course will take place on Marin Academy campus and will run from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.  each day. To successfully pass the course participants must attend all classes, demonstrate  proficiency in all skills and final emergency scenarios, and must pass the two multiple-choice  written exams with a score of 80% or higher. Included in the cost of the course is food and  snacks for the week. 

Participants who successfully pass this course will receive certification in Lifeguarding,  CPR/AED, and First Aid (valid for 2 years from completion date) and will be eligible to apply  for professional lifeguard positions at aquatics facilities. 

Prerequisites: All participants must be 15 years old by the last day of the course (March 4).  Participants must pass a prerequisite swimming skills test administered at the beginning of the  course, consisting of a 300-yard continuous swim (100 yards freestyle, 100 yards breaststroke,  100 yards either) - untimed; retrieval of 10 lb. object from 7ft. depth at 20 yd. distance - 1:40  time limit; treading water for 2 minutes, legs only.  

Leader: James Hughes 

Number of Students: 10 

Estimated cost: $475 

PE Points

Join Anne Maurice and Barry Beach for a delightful minicourse exploring some of the Bay Area's best art museums and two art workshops. We will explore art experiences throughout the SF Bay Area.

Highlights

Visiting SFMOMA

Visit the deYoung Museum

Tour the di Rosa Art preserve in Napa Valley with a lunch in downtown Sonoma

Chinese Ink Drawing workshop and T-shirt painting

A stained glass workshop making a glass plate or bowl of your design.

No art experience is required, just curiosity and genuine engagement in learning about how art is made. A genuine interest in art and art history is a plus! This is not a passive minicourse. You will walk and stand in museums most of the day, engaging in dialogue with different people or participating in hands-on workshops. This isn't a sit-down and hang-out minicourse. We will view renowned paintings, sculptures, and photography, and some tours are guided. We will also spend a couple of days making our art. 

Leaders: Anne Maurice and Barry Beach

Number of Students: 14

Estimated Cost: $500

Join us on a week-long journey through the rustic charm of Point Reyes' farms and coastline. We’ll spend three nights sleeping at a cozy lodge nestled by the shore as we delve into the wonders of West Marin. Our day trips will be a tapestry of exploration, from sampling local products and savoring local delicacies to hiking along the beach to explore tidepools and rock formations to immersing ourselves in local farming and the intricate process of wool processing. Other activities may include birding and learning about Miwok culture, relaxing, playing or creating art on the beach, and taking in the stunning scenery. Evenings at the lodge will be spent crafting meals from the local ingredients, playing games, or relaxing under starry skies with a potential opportunity for a campfire. For the early birds, optional morning activities beckon, whether it’s a sunrise hike or engaging in reflective solo spot journaling.

This experience will be great for anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors and in rustic conditions and who will be enthusiastic about sharing time and space with our minicourse group! Please note that we plan to do a longer day hike and one-two shorter hikes. We will be sharing a kitchen space with other guests so the Lodge cannot guarantee an allergen-free setting.

This adventure exposes the many ways that we benefit from West Marin's bountiful yet fragile lands and waters. Pack your curiosity, a hearty appetite for local treasures, and a spirit open to collaboration and flexibility. Throughout the week, we'll weave together the diverse threads—both literal and figurative—that bind us, much like the creation of a beautiful knit hat.

Our journey begins with a Monday day-trip from MA to the Limantour Lodge, where we will spend four days and three nights nestled in the embrace of Point Reyes National Seashore, and we'll journey back to MA on Thursday afternoon. Friday marks a final day trip to round out our unforgettable week of discovery.

Leaders: Ellie Beyers and Zoë Kern 

Number of Students: 12

Estimated Cost: $450

PE Points

Do you love movies? Exploring local queer and BIPOC history? Trying new foods? This may be the minicourse for you! Each day, we will consider how filmmakers across different decades and genres have imagined Bay Area neighborhoods. Using public transportation, we will then head out on an adventure to discover these neighborhoods for ourselves. We will dive into the rich history of these places, from Chinatown alleyways to Castro camera shops and beyond. Come prepared to try new things, talk about cool movies, and learn about art and activism in the Bay Area.

(Note: we will be asking folks to view some of the films for this course on their own time. This will give us more time to explore! Anyone who signs up for this course should also be excited to watch some fantastic movies each evening.)

Leaders: Miya Matsuishi and Bijani Mizell

Number of students: 14

Estimated cost: $200

PE Points

Are you ready to explore the Bay Area beyond Marin? In Bay Curious, we’ll take you on an adventure through some of the most diverse and unexpected corners of the Bay Area, from the East Bay to the Peninsula, and Napa to Sonoma.

Led by Yinshun and Caroline, you’ll:

• Glamp overnight in a yurt in Napa Valley, surrounded by vineyards and redwoods.

• Explore the Peninsula’s vibrant culinary scene, sampling diverse cuisines.

• End the week with a visit to a vibrant neighborhood in San Francisco, where we’ll soak in the city’s unique charm and atmosphere.

Expect a mix of walking, eating, driving and wandering as we explore these incredible locations. There will be one night of glamping in a yurt, so be sure your schedule and comfort allows for that. Along the way, you’ll learn about the region’s history, cultures, and landscapes—and of course, enjoy delicious food and great company.

Come with an open mind, an open heart, and a sense of adventure. Whether you’re discovering new places or reconnecting with old favorites, we’d love for you to join us!

Leaders: Caroline Bunnell Harris and Yinshun Wang

Number of students: 14 (3-4 per class)

Estimated cost: $400

PE Points

We live in a golden era of board games. Cooperative, competitive, solo, and with a wide variety of mechanics, themes, and challenge levels — there are fantastic games for all kinds of players! If you have ever thought about making your own board game, this minicourse is for you!  We will start by exploring different types of board games by sharing our favorites and playing together to get our creative juices flowing.  Then, we will work with professionals to help us edit our ideas into prototypes through guided planning and development. Through playtesting, we will refine our ideas and discover potential pitfalls or challenges. On our final day, we plan to share our board game enthusiasm with the community.  Who knows, maybe in a couple of years your prototype will be on the shelves as the next great game!

Leaders: Steven Spangenberg and Jason LaBau

Number of Students: 14

Estimated Cost: $150

Do you enjoy a fun craft? Do you enjoy learning something new? Are you looking for a calm fun week with some yoga too? If yes, this is the minicourse for you!

In this minicourse, we will spend the morning doing one craft project, then we will do a yoga class (no experience necessary) Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and a low-key neighborhood walk Tuesday and Thursday before lunch, then a new craft project in the afternoon. You will be so chill and crafty! Examples of our crafts are making 3D star garlands, making a mini fold-up journal, decorating notebooks with paint pens, decoupaging votive candle holders, learning hand lettering techniques to make cute greeting cards or bookmarks, learning basic crochet techniques to crochet granny squares and/or coasters, cross stitching key chains, pin loom and tapestry weaving, and punch needling. You will walk away from this week with so many new skills and little masterpieces!

No previous experience is required, just a little patience and a positive attitude! All of your crafting supplies are included for you to keep!

Leaders: Molly Tomforde and Annelise Morris

Number of students:  18

Estimated cost:  $375

PE Points

Location: Corte Madera, CA
Class Focus: Culinary techniques, knife skills, flavor combinations, fresh ingredients and FUN!
Skill Levels: Beginner to advanced

Course Highlights:

• Hands-on Learning: Students will actively prepare meals, gaining confidence and proficiency in the kitchen.

• Skill Development: Focus on foundational techniques and advanced refinements.

• International Menus: Classes often feature themed menus, such as Asian, Italian, Latin and/or Mediterranean cuisines.

• Collaborative Cooking: Students work together, making dishes like appetizers, mains, and desserts.

Daily Schedule:

1. Morning Session: Students start with preparing lunch under the guidance of the instructors, focusing on the day's menu.

2. Lunch: After cooking, participants enjoy the meal together, discussing techniques and flavor pairings.

3. Afternoon Session: Students will learn to make a dessert, which they can take home to share with their family.

Example: Thai-Themed Day

• Appetizer: Fresh Spring Rolls

• Main Course: Coconut Rice, Pad Thai, Chicken Curry

• Dessert: Mango Sticky Rice (students take this home)

Example: Italian-Themed Day

• Appetizer: Caesar Salad, Focaccia Bread

• Main Course: Homemade Pasta, with Bolognese,  Pizza

• Dessert: Classic Ricotta Cheesecake, Biscotti

Instructor: Lizzie Love, Owner, Operator and Professional Chef (and parent of MA Alum)

Number of students: 12

Estimated cost: $650

Join us to express yourself differently, from crafting jewelry to cupcake decorating. This week, we will explore how we can create something with our hands and minds. Each day, we will learn a new craft. Our focus will be jewelry making, ceramics, painting, sewing, and cookie/cupcake decorating. This will be a time to connect, relax, be creative, and feel grounded in building new skills while slowing down and appreciating the wonder of creative expression. 

Leaders: Maribel Albarran and Chris Meng

Number of Students: 14

Estimated Cost:  $275

The average American has been estimated to throw away around 81.5 pounds of clothes every year. An estimated 11.3 million tonnes of textiles waste is created each year.  The global fashion industry accounts for about one fifth of the 300 million tons of plastic produced globally each year, and it is responsible for 20% of global waste water. 

Let's be part of the change! We will swap, upcycle and repair existing garments to create unique fashion statements. We will go to thrift stores, alter clothes and make new ones. Students will learn to read sewing patterns and create from repurposed fabrics. Basic hand sewing and sewing machine techniques, as well as embroidery will be taught. All levels are welcome; no previous sewing experience is needed. Advanced students can work on independent projects. At the end of the week, students will have created items that are repurposed and sustainable.  

Leaders: Katharine Boyd and Carinne Lemaire

Number of students: 12

Estimated Cost: $200

Do you wish you had more time to write all the things you imagine? Or, do you have notebooks filled with half-finished stories or poems? This minicourse is a chance for you to try your hand at writing poetry, flash fiction, short stories, and comics. You will receive instruction in a variety of genres and participate in writing exercises that focus on the writing craft, such as technique, voice, and character development. Independently and in writing groups, you will have a chance to draft your first thoughts and then dive into the pieces that most grab your attention. We will watch interviews with working writers to hear their tips and techniques. And for inspiration, we will leave the MA campus to write in other spaces. 

Leaders: Marisa Gomez and Emily Willingham

Number of Students: 14

Cost: $150

Join us for an unforgettable week as we explore the urban landscapes of the Bay Area! We will embark on a journey via the SMART train each day, connecting to iconic destinations like San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, the Civic Center, and/or Novato. The week will include urban walks, engaging activities, and good food.

Highlights of the week might include:

• San Francisco Excursion: Travel by SMART and ferry to the Ferry Building, then explore raised gardens at the Salesforce Tower and take in breathtaking views from the observation deck. Cap the day with ice skating at Yerba Buena Gardens.

• Ocean Beach to Golden Gate Park: Take MUNI from the Ferry Building to Ocean Beach, then enjoy a scenic walk back through the lush trails and cultural landmarks of Golden Gate Park.

• Santa Rosa: Take SMART to its northernmost stops to explore the Charles Schulz Museum, historic downtown, the Luther Burbank House and gardens, and other unique landmarks.

This week promises an engaging mix of outdoor activity, urban discovery, and opportunities to connect with peers while exploring the diverse and dynamic Bay Area. Prepare to ride, walk, learn, and eat your way through an incredible experience!

Meets every day from 8:45 am to 3:15 pm

Leaders:  Josh Cherner and Kevin Rees

Number of students: 14

Estimated Cost: $200

PE Points

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. If you feel like staying on campus, working with your hands towards making a gift for a person (or people) you care about, please join us for five lovely days of creativity, thoughtfulness, and making mirth through the art of card-making! We’ll begin by identifying possible themes and people to inspire our paper creations, observing a few examples of personal cards made for others, and follow through with drafting, designing, and dedicating our gifts to folx who hold a special place in our hearts (Valentine's Day is around the corner). We will also investigate making cards for folx around our community, like elders in Nursing Care, etc.

There will be ample time to brainstorm and independently concentrate on bringing our concepts to completion–there will also be plenty of time to chat, assist, and review each other’s lovely works. Have a willingness to test your hand-to-eye coordination, bloom forth your imagination, and the confidence to make happy mistakes–and the wisdom to clean up after yourselves!

Construction paper, glue sticks, glitter, scissors, and other tools will be available for you, though you are free to bring your own resources as you see fit.

Leader: Maximiliano Villicaña

Number of students: 10

Estimated cost: $65

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the cultural history of San Francisco? Would you like to travel around the city learning about the hidden histories of some of SF’s marginalized communities? If so, please consider joining our minicourse. Here are some of the things we may do: take a historical tour of Chinatown; learn about the campaign to save the Mission from gentrification; tour the Castro; visit the SFMOMA, and much more. Students will meet the leaders at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal or at the SF Ferry Building at the Embarcadero, and we will utilize public transportation to and from our destinations throughout the city. For lunch, we will dine out together. Most days will begin around 8:30 am and end by 3 pm. Cultural history lovers, get ready to have some fun and learn a lot along the way about our city by the Bay.

Sanjai Moses and Nicole Stanton

Number of Students: 14

Estimated cost: $400

PE points

HOT YOGA MARATHON (And more) … DETOX, DECOMPRESS, DISCONNECT

Looking for a RESTORATIVE week? Looking to CHALLENGE yourself? This minicourse is guaranteed to make you sweat every minute!

Participants will learn and practice BIKRAM YOGA, POWER YOGA, and BABY GOAT YOGA. Bikram yoga is an intensive yoga practice (60-minute class) that relies on high temperatures to increase flexibility, focus, and cleansing. Power yoga, practiced with music at lower room temperatures, improves spinal flexibility and overall strength. Participants should expect to begin (or end) some days with a hike and mindfulness practices to enhance our weeklong focus, centering our body and mind. This minicourse is appropriate for beginning to advanced yoga students and requires students to commit to a physical challenge. Students are required to attend ALL yoga classes and daily activities.

Certified instructors teach all sessions off-campus at the Red Dragon studios in San Rafael and Mill Valley. 

Lunch & snacks are provided every day. Students provide their yoga mat (or ask to borrow one from MA), towels, and water.

Leaders: Aïda Schäfer & Abby French

Number of students: max 14 (11th and 12th grade)

Estimated cost: $285 (all yoga classes & lunches, including a 10-day pass at Red Dragon studio in San Rafael or Mill Valley; enjoy an extra week free for any yoga class after Minicourse!). 

PE Points

Whether you’re an expert or a total beginner, come explore the hobby of indoor rock climbing at a local gym with Char and Devon. All equipment rentals for climbing shoes, harnesses, and chalk bags are included in the cost. We will spend some days at an indoor rock climbing gym and some days resting and viewing climbing films. We will try out bouldering, learn how to belay top rope climbing, watch movies about climbing, and generally rock out.  

Cost: $250

Leaders: Char Engle and Devon Magaña

Number of Students: 16

PE Points

Join us for five intensive days of creativity, fun, and dancing. This mini-course is for lovers of Latin dance (beginner levels) who want to learn and practice interacting with Latin Culture by learning various Latin dances like Salsa, bachata, merengue, etc. We’ll work with Pablo Dinamico, a professional dancer and dance instructor from Matanzas, Cuba. He began dancing at the age of eight and has since developed a deep expertise in salsa, cha cha cha, mambo, and folkloric Yoruba dances.

The week will be filled with exercises and challenges that teach various dancing skills and independent work in designing and creating a presentation for the school. Each day, students will learn and practice a new dance in the mornings and research its impact and influence on the USA

A minimum of passion for dancing is required. Other requirements: a cheerful heart, a willingness to take risks and to give and receive constructive feedback, a sense of humor, time management skills, and a respect for the community and the environment — which includes prep and cleaning duties. We will finish the week making dance presentations for teachers and friends.

Leaders: Edinson López Flores and Tierra Peguero

Estimated Cost: $300

Number of students: 16

PE Points

Ever wanted to photograph with color film??? Well, this is the minicourse for you! Over the course of the week, you’ll learn how to photograph with multiple types of color film while using 35mm and medium format cameras. Heck, we might even bust out the 4x5 cameras! 

No prior photography experience or camera gear needed. We’ll set you up for success and we have all of the equipment that you need. 

We’ll study the work of some of the pioneers in color film photography and midweek we’ll venture into San Francisco to photograph in multiple neighborhoods including Chinatown, North Beach, The Embarcadero and more. 

You’ll also learn how to edit and print the images that you’ve created. By the end of the week, you’ll have prints of your work and even get to take home digital scans for posting your pics to the ol Instagrammy Gram. 

It wouldn’t be a true outing with Joe and Noah unless you ate delicious food too. We’ll find somewhere good to grub while we’re out and about each day.  

Leaders: Joe Cornett and Noah Orgish

Number of Students:  14

Estimated Cost: $300

Professional musician and M.A. alumnus Jim Reitzel invites students to learn the modern science and art of recording in a San Rafael studio.  Students will operate Jim’s 24-track and learn about all the out-board gear—reverbs, delays, compressors, etc.—as well as gain knowledge on mic techniques, overdub strategies, mix-down procedures and more.  What’s to learn besides the technical skills and the gear?  First, you’ll find that working with others on a demanding schedule in tight quarters requires humility, cooperation and teamwork.  And because students act as producers, engineers, arrangers, musicians and go-fers, there is a tremendous amount to learn and do.  But there are also, by necessity, moments when nothing can happen—because something else must happen first. Patience and self-discipline are therefore important additional qualities to possess and refine during the week.  The course will meet for the five days of minicourse from 9 AM to at least 3 PM. Later in the week sessions may be extended to meet the goals of the group. The final product will be a tape of the songs you record, which you will take home as a souvenir of this amazing week.  Singers, players, and those who are strictly interested in the technical aspect of recording are welcome. 

Note: You will need to bring your own lunch for this outing, or plan to get lunch in San Rafael. If you receive TA and want to get a bag lunch from MA, you'll hear from us about how to proceed!

Leader: Jim Reitzel 

Number of Students: 14

Estimated Cost: $500

Get ready to leave the classroom behind and immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world! Join us for an unforgettable week of exploration, creativity, and adventure as we travel to stunning outdoor locations and museums, where nature and art collide. You'll hike through breathtaking landscapes, sketch in peaceful gardens, and discover how to capture the world around you with paint, pencil, and digital art. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just discovering your creative side, this hands-on experience will inspire you to see nature through a new lens and bring your imagination to life. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to unplug, explore, and create!

Leader: Peter Walker

Number of students: 8

Estimated Cost: $275

Do you love noodles? This course will explore this favorite food by building an understanding of the ingredients that go into noodles, the history of noodle traditions, and the ways that Bay Area eateries approach this fun food shape. We will eat a wide variety of noodles, including pasta, ramen, soup noodles, hand-pulled and stir-fried noodles, discuss what a noodle really is, and make some noodles and pasta ourselves. Cost includes lunch each day, as well as supplies and transportation to different eateries around the Bay Area.

Every student in this course is expected to be an engaged, respectful, and active participant, who will represent our school well when interacting with those in the broader Bay Area. This minicourse is best suited for people who are open to trying different kinds of foods and willing to honor multiple perspectives. Note: given the subject of this minicourse, we cannot guarantee a gluten-free experience.

Leaders: Candace Chen and Christine Loui

Number of students: 14

Estimated Cost: $375

In the middle of the last century, the electrification of the guitar changed the course of music.  The process of electric amplification of the guitar—as well as the organ, bass, and piano—made it possible for a single musical instrument to be heard by a crowd of 100,000 people or more.  

Over the course of the week, you will learn basic woodworking and wood finishing, hand and power tool use, and electronics soldering by assembling a Fender Stratocaster-style electric guitar and constructing a small amplifier to accompany it.

In addition to the hands-on work, you will learn a great deal about the scientific and engineering principles underlying the electric instruments that continue to drive much of today’s music, as well as the history of how these instruments and technologies were invented and developed.

This will be a rewarding Minicourse in which you will learn much about music, culture, history, science, and engineering in addition to learning and practicing mechanical, electrical, and woodworking craft skills.  You will also have playable musical instruments at the end of the week.  No prerequisite experience is necessary, and we will work from 9am to 3pm each day with a break from 12-1 for lunch.  This is an on-campus Minicourse.

Leaders: Jon Bretan & Chris Detrick

Number of students: 14 

Cost: $250

Do you like to play Four Square? Read to little kids? Play handball? Help kids learn to tie their shoes? Teach 1st graders math skills with dice? Organize posters in a classroom?

If you like any of these activities and many others involving Preschool through 5th graders, this minicourse is for you!

We will work with children on reading, art, math, music, and go outside for P.E. AND RECESS! at San Rafael Elementary Schools and the Early Learning Center (3 & 4 year olds!) The teachers will ask you to lead small group work, help with art and classroom projects, organize materials, lead games on the field, and more. This minicourse is for you if you enjoy being with kids and you’d like to learn about public school funding. If you speak any Spanish, we will try to place you with kids who speak Spanish.  

Bonus: elementary school children LOVE being around High School students, and you may become their new best friend or idol.

NOTE #1: Light physical activity is required; we will be walking to and from the schools, approximately 1 mile each way. (2 miles per day)

NOTE #2: There is a dress code for this Minicourse, as requested by the schools where we will work: “Students must avoid clothes that are too revealing or that contain offensive graphics.” You must be willing to add layers or change your clothing if we ask you to do so. If you will not be able to adhere to this dress code for 5 days, please do not sign up for this minicourse. If you have questions, please talk to the adult leaders.  

Leaders: Pilar Góngora, Ana Anderson, and María Guadalupe Muñoz

Number of students: 30

Estimated cost: $150 

PE Points

This is an opportunity to take a break from all of the stressful demands of your busy schedule and focus on wellness. This week we will take a moment to pause and attend to our physical and mental well-being. We'll take advantage of the bounty of Marin with a restorative week to refresh, rejuvenate, and learn some strategies for self-care.  The week will be filled with a variety of activities for you to intentionally unplug and lean into centering yourself, such as hiking, tasting good food, kayaking, exploring beaches, art, visiting a farm, mindfulness and energy work, service work, or yoga. Our days will have an intentional balance of physical activity, time for introspection and intentional time away from our devices.  We will meet Monday through Friday from 9:00-3 and have adventures within an hour's driving distance.  We hope you will be feeling inspired and rejuvenated by Friday afternoon with tools to mitigate stress!

Leaders: Betsy Muir & Randi Bakken

Number of students: 14

Estimated cost: $500

Join us for an exciting week dedicated to learning the art of bike care and maintenance! Not only will you gain valuable skills to keep your own bike in top shape, but we may also have the chance to partner with an organization to repair donated bikes and give them a second life—an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while having fun. Don’t miss out on this hands-on, rewarding experience!

Leader: Verónica Ruiz

Number of students: 10

Estimated cost: 500

Ever look out at the bay and wonder what it would feel like to be out there on a sailboat, wind in your hair, not a care in the world? Well, here’s your chance to find out. Spend 5 days in the capable hands of the experts at a local sailing club and learn to sail in our very own San Francisco Bay. We’ll start with an introduction to boating and onland drills of basic sailing skills, then move onto maneuvering a 2-person sailboat through the water, learning how to work the mainsail and jib, tack, and move the boat upwind. From there, the sky (more like the Bay)’s the limit. We may cap off the week with a sail out on the Bay on a much larger sailboat where we can put our new skills and knowledge to the test. Additionally, we will be participating in environmentally-focused community service work, to be determined later. No previous sailing experience is necessary. Experienced sailors are welcome, too.

Leaders: John Hutchinson and Jon Haveman

Number of Students: 14

Estimated Cost: $500

Join us for five days and four nights of creative work, fun, songwriting, and performing with Jared (with Will Zesiger MA ‘13, and Gabriela De La Cruz of Portland-based Presidio) at Stinson Beach. This minicourse is for singers and musicians (intermediate to advanced) who want to learn or hone the craft of songwriting. 

The week will be filled with exercises that teach basic song structures, lyric writing, and music composition. Each day, students will practice working alone and with others. We will have jam sessions or watch films focusing on songwriters, concert footage, or other related material in the evenings. Between sessions, we’ll take breaks along the seaside for inspiration and reflection and share the making (and cleaning up of) delicious home-cooked meals.

A minimum of intermediate instrumental or singing skills is required; instrumentalists must be able to play chords. Other requirements include a cheerful heart, a willingness to take risks and give and receive constructive criticism, and respect for the community and the environment — including prep and cleaning duties. We will leave campus on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and return on Thursday late morning. We will also have a concert showcasing your new songs (location TBD), so be prepared to perform live! We will have a great house with 5 bedrooms, but sharing queen-sized beds or bringing an air mattress will be necessary to accommodate all.

Leaders: Jared Baird, Will Zesiger ‘13, Gabby De La Cruz

Number of spots: 11

Estimated Cost: $325

Dates of course: Sunday, February 23rd–Thursday February 28th

Why do people go to the cinema? What takes them into a darkened room where, for two hours, they watch the play of shadows on a sheet? The search for entertainment? The need for a kind of drug? ...cinema, like no other art, widens, enhances and concentrates a person’s experience—makes it significantly longer. That is the power of cinema.  - Andrei Tarkovsky, Legendary Russian Filmmaker

Do you love movies of all genres and periods?  Are you intrigued by visual storytelling?  Are you a practicing or aspiring student of film? Then this minicourse is for you - providing an opportunity to watch a plethora of incredible movies that are considered among the finest of their kind ever made. You may not have seen them - you may have never even heard of them - but they’re masterpieces in their own way, stretching and innovating the form.

This year we will be screening films from that eternal favorite of genres the THRILLER. What is it that we humans love about experiencing the tension, excitement, and adrenaline rush of a great screen thriller? We flock to theaters to experience cliffhangers, near-misses, conspiracies discovered and uncovered, and impossible escapes. Why are we so keen to have our heart-rates raised? We’ll screen films famous for their uncanny ability to have us at the edge of our seats, and ready to scream to the characters: “No! Don’t open that door!”.

What films will we watch exactly? It depends a bit upon the composition and interests of our group, but you can be assured that you will be surprised by the variety -- running the gamut of genres from drama, to comedy, to science fiction and, best of all, the unclassifiable.  We may see very old and very new films. We may see films in black and white and glorious technicolor.  We may see silent films and sound films, films made with lavish budgets and films produced on a shoestring. We will see actors we know in surprising roles and places, and marvel at the performances of actors you have never seen in anything before. 

Two things are guaranteed:

• Every film will offer something exceptional -- striking visual technique, unusual sound design or score, unforgettable performances -- and will challenge you to see, hear, and feel in new ways as we watch and discuss.

• None of the films we see would be found on a screen at a multiplex in a mall.  You may not love every film, but there will be much to appreciate in all that we watch, and hopefully you will understand more of what Andrei Tarkovsky means in the quote above about the power of cinema to widen, enhance, and concentrate a person’s experience.

Logistics:  This course will run from Monday -Friday from 9am-3pm, though we may stay a bit later on some days depending on programming. We’re working on having screenings at the Rafael Theater in downtown San Rafael to have as authentic a filmgoing experience as possible. We screen a film in the morning, eat lunch together to discuss it, and return in the afternoon to watch a second feature.

Leaders:  David Sinaiko & Pamela Wong-Shoebottom

Students: 18

Estimated Cost:  $400 per person

Join Moriah Buckley, Liz Gottlieb & Anya Sturm for this backpacking trip of a lifetime. You may have backpacked before (or maybe not!), but how many times have you had the chance to backpack in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Our adventure will take place on Catalina Island. Join us for amazing beachfront camping, non-stop views, and even a couple of restaurants along the 38.5 mile Trans Catalina Trail.

The route is no walk in the park! For this backpacking adventure, there will be a lot of climbing, with up to 8,500 feet in elevation gain/loss. Those who are up for the challenge, positive in attitude, and willing to be an honest and open member of our group are most welcome. Join our adventure; a journey full of beauty, outdoor challenges, laughs, reflection, and camaraderie awaits!

•  Prior backpacking experience is recommended (not required)

• You MUST be physically fit (i.e. you do a sport, exercise regularly, etc). Days will be very physically strenuous, hiking a hard 8-11 miles 4 days in a row with a pack!

• We will be in beautiful and REMOTE areas. You must have good judgment, communicate well with the leaders, and be willing to work as a team.

*This Minicourse will begin Saturday, Feb 22 and run through Wednesday, Feb 26

Leaders: Liz Gottlieb, Moriah Buckley, and Anya Sturm

Number of Students: 9

Estimated Cost: $720

PE Points

Wilderness Quest offers a rare opportunity to press pause on the rhythm of life and (re)connect with self, nature, and community. Engaging with geologic time and the plants and animals who dwell in the wild world, participants will be supported in reflection and reconnection. This 7-day trip begins with creating base camp with the group, peaks with embarking on a 3-day solo, and concludes with returning to the group, providing a journey of deepening relationships inside and out. At MA, Wilderness Quest offers time and space to mark transition, with many students honoring the shift from childhood towards adulthood.

Moving from the known to the unknown isn’t easy, but therein lies its power. When questers leave base camp, they enter the threshold of wildness — in the ecosystem and in their own body, heart, and mind. The solo is designed to help us each find our edge and remember what it feels like to be fully alive. The return is a celebration of our lives, our experiences, and our stories, giving space to find meaning in the experiences that emerged on solos.

The gatherings for this minicourse begin three weeks before departure with one day-long and two two-hour meetings. These meetings are MANDATORY. The pre-trip meetings will give us a sense of who, what, where, when, why, and how we’ll make this journey. We will discuss gear, group dynamics, safety, minimum-impact camping, individual intentions, and providing context for modern-day rites of passage to help students feel capable and confident heading into the wilderness.

Interested students should use careful and honest discernment about whether this is a good time for them to quest. Applications are due to Leslie electronically on Friday, December 6th.

Meeting Times: you must make these meetings; check your calendars for conflicts before signing up.

Tuesday, February 4th 6:30-8:30 - Prep meeting

Tuesday, February 11th 12-8:30 - Day Long Preparatory Outing; parents are invited to join from 6:30-7:30

Tuesday, February 18th 6:30-8:30 - Prep meeting

Sunday, Feb 23, 6:00 am - meet at the circle, leave

Saturday, March 1 - return home; arrive at MA sometime late evening
DATE TBA - Reunion Dinner and Final Check-in Meeting

Due to the physical, emotional, and psychological demands of the program, students are selected for this program based on an application with an essay as well as the ways that they have exhibited their ability to be a responsible member of the MA community. Interested students should use careful and honest discernment about whether this is a good time for them to quest. Applications are due to Leslie electronically on Monday, December 9th by 9am.

 
Special Note: this minicourse necessitates a vacation from your technology for several days. There is no reception in the desert area where we will be.

Leaders: Leslie Beach, Taylor Tan, Tania Bettis, and Juliet Dana

Number of students: 12, open to 11th and 12th graders only

Dates: leave MA on Sunday, Feb 23; return to MA on Saturday, March 1. 

PE Points

Estimated cost: $550

Spend the week with Frank and Ian learning about woodworking techniques both on campus and in San Francisco. This year, we plan to attend sessions at Wood Thumb Woodworking in SF to work with a professional woodworker. At the end of the three sessions, students will leave with a piece they created. On campus, we will make skateboard decks! Making skateboards is a great way to be introduced to woodworking because we can use hand tools and power tools. We will purchase blank veneers and accessories, then you can customize the board to your liking.

Leaders: Frank Cassano and Ian Hodges

Number of Students: 14

Estimated Cost: $450

Immerse yourself in the Bay Area’s rich maritime traditions through a journey into rowing and boatbuilding. Mornings will be spent on the water with the Marine Rowing Association, learning the techniques and teamwork of rowing while experiencing the sport firsthand. Afternoons will shift to the Design Lab, where we'll take on the role of boatbuilder - experimenting with designs, woodworking, and maritime engineering. Together, we'll build a wooden boat that blends traditional craft with modern innovation.

Through this course, we will explore the art, science, and sport of boating, connect with the Bay’s maritime history and create our own contributions to its legacy.

Leader: Richard Masland

Number of students: 6

Estimated cost: $375