Considered an integral part of the Lake Tahoe School curriculum, Winterim is a middle school program that includes a series of experiences and trips to introduce students to enrichment activities, topics and culture outside of the standard curriculum. Winterim allows students to choose their course of study and discover new talents and passions by providing opportunities to experience the world outside the classroom, provide service to communities in need, expand students’ world views, explore new adventures, learn about new cultures, and create memories to last a lifetime. These shared experiences lay the foundation for students who are invested in discovering the world around them. Whether in our local community or abroad, Winterim is invaluable to the social and emotional development of middle school students.

Please enjoy the following student pieces about their various trips this year.

8th Grade Travels to Costa Rica

Written by Elisabeth H., Mirabel H., and Ocean D.

It’s hard to put a trip like this into words but we will do our best. Costa Rica is a memory we are going to cherish for the rest of our lives. We’ve been on plenty of amazing adventures with LTS, but nothing compares to our time with Green Communities. From the beautiful cloud forest to the bubbling springs, Costa Rica was the craziest experience of our lives. The memories we’ve made there will last us a lifetime, such as the beautiful beaches and amazing food. This trip was an incredible, unforgettable experience that significantly changed the lives of our class and opened our eyes.

Our time in Providencia was not only fun, but extremely educational. Every day was a new opportunity to learn more about our world. Not only did we learn about new things, we also met new people. The community of Providencia welcomed our class with open arms. The fact that LTS provides 8th graders with this opportunity is truly astonishing. Costa Rica provided us with a deeper understanding of our environment, a welcoming community, beautiful scenery, and so much more.

7th Grade Experiences Washington, D.C.

Written by Elias T.

The DC Experience was outstanding for many, with lots of lessons and history learned along the way. Giving us all a preview of next year’s 8th- grade History curriculum, we explored several museums, monuments, and memorials. Students were beaming with laughter and happiness learning about our history and experiencing the trip. Some highlights included Monticello & Michie’s Tavern, visiting and playing in the National Mall, and the Capitals Game. With plenty of good meals, fun with classmates, and learning about our country, the DC Experience was joyful for all; and I would highly recommend it for future 7th Graders!

6th Grade Farms at Hidden Villa

Written by Charlotte M.

Our Winterim trip was absolutely magical. As we arrived at Hidden Villa as the wind whistled past us, greeting us to see our cabins. We were all antsy from sitting in a car, and the fresh air seemed as sweet as honey. You could see the turkeys walking around. As we got settled into our cabins, the reality snuck into all of our minds, telling us that we would be there, far away from Tahoe for a few days. That all added to the thrill of being in this land. We all went on our first hike, giving us a hint of the magic that would occur in this seemingly mystical setting. We took a second to let the air fill our lungs and let the melodies of the forest invade our ears. Over the next few days, we would take part in many kinds of service, with a dose of fun to finish it off. We took care of the garden, saw the animals, and climbed in a ropes course, enjoying all that we got to do. We got to eat food that came from the farm that we were inhabiting. We played team games, wrote in our journals, and learned more about each other than we could have ever known just from school. In a nutshell, we got to experience the magic of nature without screens, and we saw what mother nature was capable of.

We also experienced loads of gratitude during our week at Hidden Villa, doing three gratitude sessions per day. We got to learn what it was like to experience nature and take it in. We had no electronics for four days, which was nice. We bonded with our cabinmates and the whole class by building trust and working together. We even did skits and fun games inside the warm shelter of our community home, which we called the lodge. We had different groups for each thing like cooking, cleaning, cabins, and activities. We experienced a hockey game, which was most of the students’ first hockey game! We tasted different plants and leaves that were grown on the farm. We all were very excited to be there and disappointed to leave so soon, personally, I would like to stay there another week! We all learned a lot about the importance of being kind to nature. We learned how to cook and clean our own dishes. It was important to have time outside of school to learn new things that you can’t learn in a classroom. We all learned a lot about each other and the nature around us. For future generations, this would definitely be a positive trip!