Activities at Hawk Hill are determined by the interests of the kids. Sometimes activities are organized and scheduled for a particular time but most of what happens is more informal and emergent. Kids will invite other kids, and adults, into activities they are wanting to do. An adult might suggest an activity, or initiate an activity, and kids will decide if they want to participate. We might sample an activity so kids can decide if it’s something they want to engage in.

We have access to various indoor and outdoor spaces, and resources - arts and crafts supplies, games, puzzles, books, cooking tools and supplies, sports and outdoor games equipment, etc. - that support a wide variety of activities. 

We don’t have anything that happens every day, other than kids choosing what activities they engage in, and each day is unique. There are no required activities, like morning circles or daily small groups.  There are, however, expectations and agreements around how we are together and treat each other.

If kids are learning skills, it’s because it connects to personal curiosity and passion, or because they have recognized the skill will help them move more effectively through the world, rather than being directed to learn certain things based on some societal idea of what is important for them to learn.

For the activities described below, we have facilitators available to lead them and can bring in other adults in when there is sufficient interest in other activities.

THEATER

The play’s the thing. We create plays with the intent of performing it publicly. The process involves hearing what story the kids want to tell, what the setting is, who the characters are and what their relationships are to each other. The kids then help create scenes with each other. These scenes are woven into the play, dialogue is written and the play is performed. This type of ensemble work embodies true collaboration from beginning to end. 

There are many other theater-related activity options, particularly for kids who will only be participating some of the sessions, including:

• Monologue work: Involves one person at a time conveying a want, need or reflection from a shorter piece of text. Monologues can be created by the kids or taken from more known sources. 

• Scene work: involves two or more kids engaging in dialogue created by the kids.

• Improv games

ARTS & CRAFTS

In general, we offer short sessions in different media, e.g., half-day projects available to and adapted for all age groups. More about the creative process and the experience of it than the finished product. Some of the possible media:

Painting 

• Collaborative pieces/large scale

• Abstract/Action painting

• Watercolor

Printmaking

• Collagraphs

• Gelatin printing

• Nature monoprinting

Mixed Media

• Portraits

• Oversized art

• Decorative wares

Fiber Arts

• Weaving 

• Embroidery 

• Finger knitting 

• Macrame

MUSIC

Hawk Hill music involves plugging in and playing. We can offer a setup so the kids can experience playing music together and rocking out. We have drums, guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion and microphones for vocals. We offer beginners the chance to get a feel for playing, and we offer more advanced playing, which involves creating songs or playing covers of songs to be performed at various points during the year. We will also offer bucket drumming, singing, and karaoke.

GARDENING, COOKING, FOOD & THE FOOD SYSTEM

Depending on the interests and experience of our kids, this concentration area can cover any aspect of food from the micro (e.g., how it is grown, prepared and eaten, how it affects our individual lives) - to the macro (how it impacts and is impacted by the natural world, society).

We started several gardens on our campus Spring 2025, so there are opportunities for hands-on (pun intended) learning, including seed starting, compost, succession planting, overall care, harvesting, preservation, seed saving, and floral arranging.

Planning meals and preparing and eating food together are a core part of our culture. These activities happen almost every day during the school year and happen as part of Summer Camp on a regular basis.

ADVENTURE PLAY

Adventure Playgrounds introduce themes of freedom and risk by welcoming kids of all ages and abilities to unstructured play together. Our campus is home to the Asheville Adventure Play trailer where we store Adventure Play loose parts and materials. We will be scheduling time for this activity as there is interest.

SPORTS & FIELD GAMES

Our campus playground (fenced in) offers space for a wide variety of physical activities, including soccer, basketball, flag football, pickleball, bike rodeos and field games like capture the flag. The playground includes two playground/swing sets.

3D/Sculpture/Clay

• Found object dolls

• Air-dry clay project 

• Mobiles

• Nicho/Shrine art

Wearable Art

• Jewelry

• Upcycled fashion/costumes

Home Crafts

• Soapmaking

• Birdhouses/Insect Hotels 

• Mending Clothes 

Collage/Assemblage