The Camden Conference in the Classroom program is a high school level program funded and overseen by the Camden Conference. Currently there are 11 schools, both private and public, offering CCC courses and attending the Camden Conference: Camden Hills Regional High School, Deering High School (Portland), Edward Little High School (Auburn), Foxcroft Academy (Dover Foxcroft), Gould Academy (Bethel), Lincoln Academy (Newcastle), Maine Academy of Natural Sciences (Hinckley), Medomak Valley High School (Waldoboro), Piscataquis Community High School (Guilford), Portland High School, and Watershed School (Camden).  The following is a description of the program as developed by Peter Kalajian of the Watershed School. We hope to share the curriculum and projects of other schools in the future.

 Months before the Camden Conference convenes each year in February, Watershed School seniors begin Senior Seminar, an intensive course that focuses on the event’s topic. The students study relevant current events and important global issues through all possible media resources, they participate in community forums, they make public presentations relevant to the topic of the Conference, and finally, they attend the full Camden Conference.

Teacher Pete Kalajian has two major goals for the Senior Seminar class: to help the students continue to hone their skills as thinkers and writers, and to bolster their ability to analyze materials and draw conclusions independently. As part of the Senior Seminar curriculum, the students each select a different book from the public reading list provided by the Camden Conference, and then write a book review HERE .

“Writing a book review is a difficult skill to master,” says Kalajian. “We work extensively on writing and revisions, and these reviews ultimately provide a public service to the community. Anyone who would like to learn more about the books on the reading list can read these reviews, as well as get a rare perspective into how teenagers perceive the topics at hand.”

Watershed School has been instrumental in creating curriculum for secondary schools that would like to enhance their experience with the Camden Conference. Head of School Will Galloway served on the Board of the Camden Conference, and is now excited to be serving on the education committee.

Most importantly, Watershed School is committed to the study of international relations through the Senior Seminar. When the Camden Conference concludes, the Senior Seminar will transition into the Senior Project. The class will then use that block of time to concentrate on a project of their own choosing with the unifying theme of “making the world a better place.”

Watershed School is an independent high school located in Camden, serving students who are looking for a challenging academic program in the context of a supportive and enthusiastic school culture. Watershed is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, is a Maine State Approved High School, and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

For further information, call 207-230-7341 or visit watershed-school.org.