why darrow admissions academics arts athletics community sustainability alumni support darrow
Visiting Darrow's
Samson Environmental Center

Darrow welcomes visitors who wish to learn more about sustainability and our Living Machine™. Your visit to the Samson Environmental Center can be tailored to meet your group's needs. Our Outreach Program is designed to engage students and visitors from diverse age groups and interests. Groups ranging in size from 4-30 people are welcome to visit for an hour or half-day, with accommodations for lunch available. Additionally, our Outreach Team of students and faculty can come to your school or organization to share the workings of the Living Machine and engage your group in a defined curriculum.

Choose from one of our programs... or build your own!
Topics include:

Tours of the Living Machine™

  • Microorganism evolution throughout the treatment process
  • Watersheds
  • Water quality testing
  • Environmental sustainability

Please call Craig Westcott, Director of the Samson Environmental Center, at 518-794-6011 for more information or click here to contact Craig via e-mail.
SEEDs for Kids

Darrow shares sustainability expertise with school children through SEEDs, Sustainability Experience and Education Days.

For example, one SEEDs group was composed of middle school students and teachers from the Bethlehem Children's School of Slingerlands, NY. The visiting students enjoyed an introduction to the Samson Environmental Center (SEC), to Shaker history, and to Darrow School culture. They also participated in a mini Hands-to-Work (HTW), helping to collect and sort recyclables from center campus, and used materials gathered during their HTW experience to create their own recycled journals. They then practiced journal writing on sustainability, and shared their reflections in a special afternoon session.