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Project: Pomfret concluded on Friday, bringing to a close two weeks of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on exploration. Students chose from more than twenty offerings, each designed to ignite passions, challenge skills, and foster collaboration. 

Some students ventured beyond campus to explore global cultures firsthand. After studying the work of Japanese author Haruki Murakami in Advanced English, they traveled to Japan to trace the post–World War II landscapes reflected in his writing. In Tokyo, they navigated bustling streets, sampled traditional meals, and visited landmarks like Asakusa Temple, Meiji Shrine, and the Tokyo National Museum. Vibrant districts like Harajuku, Shibuya, and Akihabara offered a blend of history, modern city life, and everyday cultural immersion.

Back on campus, other groups focused on making tangible spaces and objects that would leave a lasting impact. The Shelter Building group constructed an outdoor structure using only natural materials in the Pomfret Woods. Built on eastside of the Hilltop, the nearby stream provided the group with excellent river rocks and standing deadwood to construct their shelter. Despite more than a foot of snow, the students worked together to build a functional refuge, affectionately known as “The Bungalow,” for trail users.

Meanwhile, students in KindArt tapped into their creativity through crafting T-shirts, slime, ceramics, bracelets, and greeting cards. “My favorite activity was making watercolor greeting cards,” said Tinker Koh ’28. “I used to love to paint when I was a child, and I enjoyed the opportunity to do it again.” Beyond reconnecting with childhood joy, the crafts also served as stress relievers and screen-free ways to spend time. The items were sold at the Project Fair, and the group raised $1,400 for All Paws on Deck, a local dog shelter.

The STEM group applied creativity to problem-solving through innovation and experimentation. Projects ranged from a mechanical marionette and an automatic Zamboni to a working telescope and a low-cost heart rate monitor. Ava Chen ’28 and Mika Ha ’28 developed a prototype to simplify on-campus food deliveries — a secure, key-accessible box that could be used by all students. Across projects, STEM students combined engineering, ingenuity, and practical thinking to address real-world challenges.

This year, the introduction of Project: Pomfret minors allowed a third of the school to explore two areas of interest in two weeks. In Cooking for Comfort, students studied food as a source of nourishment, connection, and comfort. They learned knife skills while preparing pico de gallo, explored meal planning and budgeting, and crafted dishes ranging from omelets and pizza to sushi and street tacos, under the guidance of guest chef Kellen Corrigan and Flik Dining staff.

In the Project Champion minor, students engaged with individuals with intellectual disabilities, volunteering at bingo nights, karaoke, and art classes at local organizations, including Woodstock Academy’s STRIVE program. Both minor groups converged at the Special Olympics Connecticut Winter Games, where the students helped run cross-country skiing and snowshoeing events, assisted athletes with equipment, and formed meaningful connections while serving as athlete escorts.

Project: Pomfret culminated in three celebrations of learning. Students in minor and select major projects reflected on their experiences through essays, artistic groups showcased their work in exhibitions, and the remaining projects were highlighted at the Project Fair. Across disciplines — from global travel to building, crafting, STEM innovation, and community service — students embraced curiosity and collaboration, leaving campus enriched with new skills, memories, and perspectives.
 

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