Imagine history class spent canoeing on a lake or an English class consisting of climbing trees and reading poetry. That is exactly what Rochelle Township High School junior Maggie Craven experienced at Conserve School.

Craven had the opportunity to enroll in the semester-long school, which focuses primarily on environmental studies and outdoor activities. Along with the required courses, opportunities for learning didn’t stop at the end of the school day.

“After school we could help take care of the bees, garden, kayak, go on runs on the trails, hammock, rock climb, play soccer, swim, sled, ski, hike, bake and so much more,” Craven said.

There were plenty of out-of-school activities Craven said that were part of the regular school day. Physical Education class was spent in the great outdoors on the 1,200-acre campus, which includes four lakes and 22 miles of trails.

“We never knew exactly what we were going to do on any given day,” Craven said when asked what a typical day consisted of. “We played soccer during history class, or we sledded during photography class, canoed for four hours during English class, or had impromptu debates during Stewardship class.”

Over 60 students enrolled in the fall semester, each required to study five core courses in AP environmental science, American Literature and the Land, History of Exploration in America, Stewardship, and Outdoor Skills (physical education). Students select their electives based on their individual needs.

Craven said the Stewardship class was a favorite.

“The nine of us would sit around talking about everything from current events to what we were planning on doing after school,” Craven said. “It was a discussion-based class that needed everyone’s participation to run smoothly, and it always did.”

Students also select electives based on their individual needs. Along with math, Craven chose photography taught by Jeff Reinncke, who is an award-winning landscape writer and photographer with National Geographic Magazine.

“He knew what he was doing. I learned so much about digital photography and had the chance to take pictures outdoors on the amazing campus,” Craven said. It was a great class.”

Interest

After learning about Conserve from a neighbor who has a summer home near there, and after researching the school online, Craven applied and was accepted. After a visit to the campus, she knew attending the school was certain.

“I was always interested in animals when I was little, and I slowly realized that without a healthy environment, many of the animals that inhabit the earth won’t be here in a hundred years or so,” Craven said. “I was also excited about the idea of trying something different. It kind of grew from there.”

Similar to college life, Craven lived in a dorm-style setting with her own room and a shared bath. Part of the hands-on experiences of living at Conserve involved preparing meals using food grown on campus. Staff and students ground their own peanuts to make peanut butter and harvested wild rice.

During the final week, Craven participated in a five night, six-day camping trip, hiking the Lake Superior Trail in the Porcupine Mountains with eight other students, a teacher and teaching fellow. The group followed the Leave No Trace rule, which consisted of keeping noise levels down, cleaning up carefully, and leaving items where they belong.

“I’d never hiked that far or long before with such a heavy pack,” Craven said. “Spending that week with my friends in such a beautiful part of the country made all of the challenges worth it. Now I have plans for a hiking trip this spring break with a group of friends from Wisconsin and Minnesota. I’ve really grown to love it.”

Impact

Although the classes were not easy, Craven said she enjoyed the close relationships formed with teachers and teaching fellows. Along with making memories to last a lifetime, the school also made an impact on Craven, who now encourages her family to read product labels before purchases.

“I care so much more about things I didn’t really know or care about before. Ingredients like palm oil in shampoos are bad for our environment,” Craven said. Craven also said she is limiting meat consumption and choosing foods that are in season. She also looks for foods that do not need to be shipped long distances.

Craven said she plans to major in environmental studies and minor in journalism and plans on taking a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) trip before college.

“I don’t know if any description will ever do this place justice,” Craven said. “It was a wonderful experience and if I could stay for another semester, I would. I left there with no regrets and will cherish the memories and all of my new friends forever.”

About Conserve School

Conserve School's founder, James R. Lowenstine wanted students to benefit from the experience regardless of their financial means. Through a competitive application process, students accepted are awarded a Lowenstine Honors Scholarship valued at $25,000 and covers full tuition, room, and board.

In lieu of tuition revenue, the school relies on tax deductible donations from the families of students, alumni, and friends to the annual funds each year.

Conserve School is focused on environmental stewardship, designed primarily for high school juniors. Conserve School’s challenging, college preparatory curriculum immerses students in environmental history, nature literature, and the science of conservation.

Located west of Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin, the school boasts an expansive campus with several different types of ecosystems such as bogs, lakes, forests, meadows — ideal for students to study various ecosystems of the Northwoods — and roughly 22 miles of trails on Conserve’s grounds for students to hike, bike, snowshoe and ski.

The campus is adjacent to the Sylvania Wilderness and recreation area.

“I don’t know if any description will ever do this place justice,” Craven said. “It was a wonderful experience and if I could stay for another semester, I would. I left there with no regrets and will cherish the memories and all of my new friends forever.”