08/19/2026
The week began at Penn Station, where students and trip leaders met in person for the first time after only knowing one another through a virtual pre-trip meeting. From there, they traveled to Round the Bend, where a week of learning, working, eating, playing, and connecting unfolded.
Throughout the week, students took part in immersive, hands-on experiences rooted in the rhythms of the farm. They fed and watered pigs and chickens each morning, harvested garlic, made pasta from scratch, shucked quahogs with Wampanoag educator Annawon Weeden, walked Mass Audubon trails, spent time at the beach, joined Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) on a bike ride (led by the incredible YOU Executive Director, and RTB board member, Bernadette Souza), shared farm-fresh meals prepared by our Executive Chef Shaun and Sous Chef Sophie, and, of course, made time for ice cream and sâmores around the fire.
Perhaps most impactful, though, were the conversations that happened along the wayâover meals, in the wetu, on the beach, during games in the yurt, at a âtea partyâ in the kitchen, while getting to know new friends, and simply having the time and space to be present with one another, with the animals, and with the land.
One of the most striking reflections from the students was how different a week without their phones felt. They described a deeper understanding of themselves and their environment, and a surprise at how much could happen when screens were no longer filling every moment.
When asked what they would miss most, their responses varied somewhatâshared meals, time with the animals, conversations and laughter, new friendships, being outdoors, the unexpected freedom of not having a device begging for their attention, etc. But all of their responses boiled down to one word: community.
Some reflected that, at home, they would have spent much of their time watching videos or playing games on their phones. Here, they were immersed in a place, engaged with one another, learning new skills, asking questions, and imagining new possibilities.
These kinds of partnerships and experiences invite us to redefine wealth. We donât need more things or more technology, but more time together, more connection, more shared meals, and more opportunities to learn from one another and from the land.
This isnât about Round the Bend Farm. Itâs about the deep longing to connect, even when our everyday lives donât always leave room for it. At RTB, we are humbled to create that space: bringing people together around good food and conversation, and exploring what it means to live with, rather than simply on, the land.
We are grateful to Students Shoulder to Shoulder, Summer Search NYC, Annawon Weeden, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, our amazing students and trip leaders, and everyone on the RTB team who made this week possible.
