Spring Break 2026 Recap
Middle School STEAM Trip to Iceland
Read reflections from Middle School students and faculty who attended this STEAM-focused trip to Iceland over spring break.
Day 1: Overnight Flight to Iceland (Reykjavik)
Despite some unexpected travel delays, we were all impressed with the boys' positive attitudes and patience. It was a joy to see them connect with their classmates without the distractions of screens and technology. It was a long night with little sleep, but the smiles were plenty.
Day 2: Hallo Reykjavik
Our Iceland adventure officially began this morning when we stepped off our plane at Keflavik International Airport. As we walked toward the exit, we were eagerly welcomed by our tour guide, Ingi. After a quick bite to eat (and some much-needed coffee for the adults), we climbed aboard our bus and set off toward Reykjavik, the Northernmost capital of the world. Through tired eyes, we all looked eagerly out the window and began to take in the stunning landscape. In the distance, we began to make out a small town of colorful metal houses built atop a 2000-year-old lava field, set against a backdrop of freshly snow-covered mountains. We learned that Reykjavik is home to more than two-thirds of Iceland’s residents, and in recent years, tourism has become Iceland’s #1 industry. Once in the city, we enjoyed the Lava Show, ate a filling lunch, and did some quick sightseeing. Visit our SmugMug album to check out some other sites we saw, including Hallgrimskirkja, Rainbow Street, and the Harpa Concert Hall.
Day 3: Exploring Reykjavik with Arts and Crafts Workshop
Today's blog post is brought to you by Mr. Buchanan's group!
Today, we learned how to felt Icelandic sheep's wool. This wool's special properties make it an essential facet of Icelandic lives. Closer to the sheep, the wool is hard, waterproof, and resilient, protecting them from the elements. Farther out, the wool softens, fashioning a more comfortable texture. When combined, the wool forms an optimal blend, comfortable and protective. Through its shielding attributes, the wool became a core element of the country's history. Additionally, we visited the Icelandic Saga Museum. Walking through the museum with headphones, we listened to a brief history of the Land of Fire and Ice. Along with the audio, the museum provided an immersive experience in realistic wax figures, some of which were moving—check out our SmugMug for photos of us dressed as Vikings. In addition to experiencing Icelandic history, we engaged in its economy. Strolling across Reykjavik's famous Rainbow Street, Skólavörðustígur in Icelandic, we popped into numerous local shops. Although we had blown through our funds, we walked away satisfied, backpacks as stuffed as the shop registers. After filling our suitcases, we quickly moved to doing so to our stomachs. Carpaccio, lamb, and apple tart went down swiftly, capping off our night.
Day 4: Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Walk
Today's blog post is brought to you by Mr. Welch's group!
As we woke on our fourth day of the trip, we headed to the southern shores of Iceland. Along the way, we stopped at the Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnels. These tunnels are similar to caves in the states, but they are formed by runny, loose lava called pahoehoe. Legend has it that these tunnels were once inhabited by trolls. In addition, these tunnels contained gargantuan ice stalagmites. After the lava tunnels, we stopped for lunch at the N1, rest stop where we had lunch. Next, we enjoyed the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This was amusing for us all. In addition to its natural beauty, Iceland has much to offer in terms of history. Wanting to further explore this, we visited the Skogar Folk Museum, where we had the opportunity to witness historical items from many eras of Iceland’s past. Most of us are simply here because we want to take quality flix. This is why we especially enjoyed our time at one of Iceland’s many black sand beaches. The environment’s unique colorscape and surreal towering waves make it an ideal place for an amateur photoshoot. To end the day, we retreated to our new hotel, the Laki.
Day 5: Skaftafell National Park Visit
Today's blog post was brought to you by Ms. Brenner's group:
As Ser Finn and his friends were traversing through the Southern Coast of the Land of Fire and Ice, the amount of adventures they came across was plentiful. They arose in the frigid land of Laki, and broke their fast with quality food. They traveled across the breathtaking landscape of the South, and took sight of Skaftafell, the magical glacier within mountains of immense altitude. They came across Orken, the Gas Station of Pink, where they feasted upon cuisine like chicken nugs and lamb sandwiches. For their next adventure, they conquered the Sands of Black, where frozen ice and violent water waged battle. They observed serene seals among the glacier lagoon adjacent to the Sands of Black. On the journey back, they witness the magic and mystery of ancient Elves and Trolls, the supernatural creatures who take home near the House of the Invisible People, otherwise known as basalt. The worthy travelers were met with a bountiful meal at the Laki, consisting of chicken, potaters, salad, and skyr. The Caravan of Conquerers eagerly await their next quest set for the morrow, purchasing trinkets and doo-dads in the Great City of Vik.
Day 6: Fjaðrárgljúfur, Skógafoss , and Glugganfoss (Window Falls)
Today's blog post is brought to you by Mrs. Schmick’s group!
To start day six, we went to Fjaðrárgljúfur, a canyon made famous by Justin Bieber's visit. Afterwards, we continued our road trip and stopped by the information center. This new building was an interactive museum about Vatnajökull National Park and gave everybody time to unwind and shop. Our next stop was back at Vík, where we visited the largest store in Iceland and had lunch at a bistro, once again getting time to shop at both clothing and grocery stores. After Vík, we took a quick stop at another black-sand beach called Reynisfjara, but this one was unique. Large hexagonal basalt columns formed a nearby cave, a site so beautiful that it was used in the series Game of Thrones. Leaving the beach, Skógafoss waterfall was next. Being the largest waterfall we had visited yet, we saw rainbows form in the mist, making it the perfect photo op. The fifth stop was another waterfall called Glugganfoss, also known as the Window Falls. This nickname was given because the stone formations look like a waterfall falling behind a window! Finally, we reached our last destination–Hotel Ork. This hotel was a great place to rest after a long and eventful day of travel.
Day 7: The Golden Circle
We started our last full day in Iceland with some downtime in the rec room at Hotel Ork. Laughter filled the room as the boys played pool and ping-pong after eating a hearty breakfast. Then, we set off on the road back to Reykjavik with plenty of stops planned along the way. Our first stop was at Fridheimar Tomato Eco-farm, where we learned about how Icelanders have had to adapt traditional farming techniques to create a suitable growing environment in the harsh landscape. While eco-farms have enabled Icelanders to produce fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, most fruits still need to be imported. After the eco-farm visit, we got our first taste of Icelandic weather, and, as many locals reminded us, "We cannot control nature." The boys braved the wind and the rain to see Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur geyser, and Thingvellir National Park, the famous sights that make up the Golden Circle. At Thingvellir, we walked between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and learned that they drift apart at approximately 1 inch per year. The rugged landscape was the site of Iceland's first Althing in 930 AD. The Althing was an open-air assembly where Icelanders set laws and developed Europe's first parliamentary system. We ended our last night with a farewell dinner back in Reykjavik, where our adventure began almost one week ago. Back at the hotel, our new friend Ingi played guitar and sang a few Icelandic folk songs as the boys clapped and sang along. It was the perfect way to say goodbye. Tomorrow, we will make one final stop at Rainbow Street before beginning the long journey home. It has been the adventure of a lifetime, but we are ready to reunite with our loved ones and the comforts of home. Photos from today can be found on Smugmug along with videos of Ingi's performance.
Day 8: Feeling Great! / Bonus Adventure
Today was the beginning of our "bonus adventure," as we have taken to calling it. This morning, we returned to Rainbow Street to grab some last-minute souvenirs and gifts for loved ones. The record store and handknitter's association were popular choices. When we shared the news with the boys that our flight home was cancelled, we saw a few fist bumps of approval. Rather than heading to the airport, we stopped by a food hall for lunch and then visited The Perlan, an interactive nature museum. Our favorite exhibits were the aurora lights show and the glacier tunnel walkthrough made of real ice. Back on the bus, the boys shared laughs as they played games like Crocodile Dentist and Celebrity First and Last. They have been demonstrating admirable patience and adaptability, and we know you would be proud of their maturity. After checking into our new hotel, we ran into a familiar face at dinner. Some of you might remember Cannon (Former Class of 2030) and Bart Griffith (Former Assistant Head of School) from the boys' Lower School days. After dinner, we regrouped in the hotel lounge for our nightly routine. You may be surprised to hear that the boys have been completing reflective journals each night. Tonight, we asked them to rank their top five favorites from the trip.
