Athletics

ATHLETICS

Athletics is an essential component of Marvelwood's overall educational curriculum. The program seeks to teach and instruct students in the rules, fundamentals, and skills necessary to participate in various team and individual sports. Athletic participation provides both physical training and a suitable outlet for youthful energy. Competition within and between schools encourages principles of good sportsmanship and fair play, and fosters the spirit of amateur competition as well as school pride.

Marvelwood students participate in a sport or an activity each of the three terms of the academic year. There are a total of seventeen teams in eleven different sports, including soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, wrestling, alpine skiing, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, golf, and ultimate frisbee. In addition, there are a number of non-competitive athletic options in the Outdoor Adventure Program, which includes mountain biking, hiking, recreational skiing/snowboarding, rock climbing, and canoeing.

Spectators

• Spectators are welcome at all Marvelwood athletics events.
• All spectators must be masked indoors regardless of vaccination status.

EQUESTRIAN

The Marvelwood School partners with Brook Run Farm to offer horseback riding as an afternoon activity.

The program is designed for the beginner to the most advanced rider in both English and Western disciplines with a focus on Hunter/Jumper, Reining, and Horse Management. Students are also given the opportunity to show at local and A-rated horse shows, as well as participate in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. Students can either bring their own horses or ride one of Brook Run Farm’s seasoned competition horses.

Brook Run Farm is an all-weather facility with a 60x120 foot lit indoor riding arena with a viewing room and a 100x200 foot outdoor riding ring with horse show quality jumps. It is a safe environment for students to master the fundamentals of equestrian disciplines throughout the school year – fall, winter, and spring terms.

Mount Snow Academy Partnership Program

Marvelwood is pleased to partner with Mount Snow Academy to offer this unique opportunity for student-athletes looking to cultivate their passion for skiing or snowboarding while maintaining a consistent academic program.

For Marvelwood students wanting to pursue their passion for winter sports amongst like-minded student-athletes (with elite coaching & training opportunities), and for Mount Snow Academy (MSA) student-athletes seeking a customized academic experience, the Marvelwood-MSA partnership program–The Pterodactyl Session–provides the best of both worlds. Individualized learning and a rich variety of courses and extracurricular activities in a warm and welcoming community make Marvelwood’s approach a stand-out in the world of boarding schools. Thanks to a generous donation from the Carpenter family (yes, Jake Burton Carpenter, founder of Burton Snowboards, is a Marvelwood Alum!), Marvelwood has a world-class gym where student-athletes can keep their strength and conditioning primed to hit the slopes at the end of November. And, in case winter comes early, Marvelwood’s ski and snowboard teams train at Mohawk Mountain.

At MSA, Pterodactyl Session student-athletes participate in small-group training programs in alpine, freeskiing, and snowboarding. With access to impressive training facilities, elite coaching, and a highly individualized learning environment designed to accommodate training and competition schedules, participants benefit from a program that is completely customized to each student-athlete. MSA instructors follow the Marvelwood curriculum and maintain close communication with Marvelwood teachers.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

The Outdoor Adventure (OA) Program includes all non-competitive outdoor activities available to students during the course of the year. OA offers students the opportunity for physical activity without the competition of traditional varsity and junior varsity sports. Students discover a love for the outdoors via the OA Program, build friendships, learn teamwork, and enjoy a great workout.

Outdoor Adventure Activities:

• Biking

• Hiking

• Canoeing

• Rock Climbing

• Skiing & Snowboarding

During the fall term the mountain bikers ride in, around and over Skiff Mountain here in Kent. The hiking program utilizes the nearby Appalachian Trail as well as Macedonia Brook State Park and Kent Falls State Park.

In the winter term the school offers students the opportunity to ski or snowboard at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall, only a short twenty minutes from campus.

During the spring term the School offers students the opportunity for rock climbing at St. John's Ledges and area ropes courses. The canoers utilize the nearby Housatonic River and its tributaries, and compete in local races.