What Do Kids Do at the Center?

At the Macomber Center, our members enjoy the freedom to choose how they spend their time—all day, every day—within the bounds of community norms. This allows them a level of autonomy and responsibility that is rarely afforded to children in our society today.

Although it is becoming increasingly common for educational programs to promote student autonomy, using words like “agency” and “empowerment,” such programs typically offer freedom only within a limited range of acceptable options. We do not impose any sort of curriculum or schedule of activities. Instead, we provide every member with the time and space they need to discover who they are, what matters to them, and how they want to develop their own unique talents and strengths. [Read more about Self-Directed Education here.] [Read more about our unique iteration of Macomber community-based Self-Directed Education here.]

The Culture of Macomber Center

While we do not have a daily schedule, regular classes, or formal requirements, over the years the staff and kids have built a strong and distinctive culture together. From that culture, certain norms, customs, and traditions have naturally emerged.

There is no “typical day” at the Center, but here are some of the things you can expect to see throughout the year at the Center:

Music

Music has been a vital part of the Macomber Center since our earliest days. One of our first staff members, Mark Bell—a lifelong professional musician—helped launch our music program alongside several founding members. From the start, they organized performances and fundraisers to support the purchase of new and improved equipment.

Over time, thanks to some generous donations, we were able to build an addition to our main building to house a dedicated music room. Today, that space is fully equipped with high-end instruments, professional-grade recording software, and a new generation of talented budding musicians. We also have a new generation of young, professional musician staff. They offer inspiration and guidance to kids of all ages and musical abilities, helping to nurture creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of music.

Our two annual music shows have become a point of pride for many of our members, as well as a huge drew for parents, friends and relatives.

Art

Our art room is a cultural hub of the Center, often filled with kids of all ages engaging in various creative endeavors. Some are building with cardboard, others are coloring, knitting, sewing, or experimenting with digital illustration and animation. Staff member James Morningstar is always on hand to help kids formulate their ideas, find appropriate materials, and learn the skills they need to bring their visions to life.

Academics

We don’t draw a hard line between academic learning and everyday life. At the Center, kids learn to read, develop basic math skills, and explore history, science, and current events—all without necessarily thinking of it as “academics.” To them, it’s simply life: following their curiosity, pursuing interests, and acquiring the skills they need to do what they want to do.

That said, there is always some interest in more formal academic learning. Whether it's learning a new language for fun, forming a small class or study group to finally answer lingering questions about biology or physics, or preparing for college, there are plenty of opportunities for academic exploration at the Center. The level of adult support varies depending on the needs of the members.

For those eager to experience a more structured academic environment, we offer a Dual Enrollment Program that allows our members to begin taking high-school and college-level courses while still at the Center. [Read more about our Dual Enrollment Program here.]

Morning Meeting

Every morning, we hold a community meeting open to anyone who wants to attend. Attendance is optional and tends to fluctuate based on the community’s needs at any given time.

Any idea or activity that requires planning, funding, or approval from the Center must be brought to the Morning Meeting—whether it comes from a staff member or a kid. The Morning Meeting can also create subcommittees or assign a point-person to lead specific organizational projects or events.

Beyond planning and logistics, the Morning Meeting is a space where members can raise any issues affecting the community, discuss shared concerns, or reflect on and update community norms.

Community Events

Each year begins with a welcome-back picnic for new and returning families, and at the end of the year, we hold a farewell potluck to celebrate the time we’ve shared. These gatherings offer a wonderful opportunity for parents to connect with staff and get to know other families in the community.

In addition, we host several parent nights throughout the year, focusing on topics relevant to parents at the time.

We also hold two music shows annually—one in winter and one in spring—that are open to the public.

For the kids, we often organize two overnights each year, where tents are set up around the Center, dinner is shared around a campfire, and games like “ghosts in the graveyard” are played until bedtime.

In recent years, several of our teen members have taken the lead in organizing two dances annually for kids of all ages.

Outings

For many years, we’ve offered a skiing program through Wachusett Mountain, providing a weekly day on the slopes for six weeks each winter.

In recent years, it has become a tradition to spend one week at the end of the school year camping on Cape Cod.

Last year, we embarked on our first international trip, with three staff members and 14 kids traveling throughout Italy.

Games

For many kids and staff, games are an essential part of life at Macomber. Popular games include Bananagrams, Scrabble, chess, Settlers of Catan, Dungeons & Dragons, and more recently, Blood on the Clocktower. This doesn’t even begin to cover the many video games that members enjoy playing.

Games play a vital role in the culture of the Center. They offer a natural way for new members to connect with the community, help build strong bonds between members and staff, and support the development of important life skills.

And of course, games are simply a lot of fun!

Projects

Most projects at the Center are informal, and we adults may only become aware of them once they’re already well underway. For example, a group of teens might spend several weeks restoring an old fort in the woods that had been abandoned years ago and reclaimed by nature. Or a group of younger children might spend a series of afternoons clearing brush to create a new path to their favorite spot along the stream. Perhaps an older kid who’s been sitting on the couch with a laptop for days is actually collaborating with someone online, recording a digital music album together.

Some projects, however, are more formalized. A great example is our annual maple syrup operation. Each year, a group of kids collects between 80 and 100 gallons of sap from the row of old sugar maples lining our property. We set up our evaporator in front of the main entrance and boil the sap down over four or five days—followed, of course, by months of enjoying pancakes topped with the finished syrup.

Another recent formal project was the construction of a new building to provide a much-needed designated quiet space. It all began with a proposal from an 8-year-old who brought the idea to the morning meeting—and now it’s a reality!

Outdoor Activities

Since our members are free to spend as much time outdoors as they like, they end up doing just about anything you can imagine kids doing outside—riding bikes, skateboarding, climbing trees, building forts, hiking in the woods, playing in the stream, playing tag, or shooting hoops on the basketball court. They also like to simply hang out in the grass, eat lunch in the sun, and enjoy the simple pleasure of being outside.

When the weather is nice, it's common to see large games of capture the flag or ultimate frisbee taking over the close field. These games regularly draw big groups of kids—young and old alike—as well as staff members. Gaga ball and Four Square are also much-loved outdoor games at the Center.

In winter, kids build snow forts, have snowball fights, and spend hours sledding on the hill right outside our front door.

It’s also worth noting that nearly anything kids enjoy doing indoors, they can do outside too. So you’ll often see them reading, playing cards, watching a youtube video, making art, or creating music—all while getting plenty of fresh air and sunlight.