Wildfire
The Week That Shapes Our Year
More than a retreat, Wildfire is where our community is forged.
It’s a place where we set the tone for the semester, where deep friendships are formed and where learning becomes a joyful, creative journey.

What is Wildfire?
At the beginning of each semester, our students and staff leave the classroom behind and gather together at Wildfire Lodge, an outdoor education center. This one-week experiential learning program is a unique and essential part of the NCA experience, designed to bond our community and build a theme that will be carried throughout the year.
Choose Your Focus, Find Your Voice
Wildfire is an immersive experience in the arts. Each student chooses one of five creative groups to join for the week, using that medium to explore the semester’s theme and create meaningful art.
Photography
Capture the beauty of nature and the spirit of our community through the lens.
Film
Tell a compelling story, from script to screen, that explores our theme.
Dance
Express powerful ideas through movement, choreography, and performance.
Music
Write, record, and perform original songs with inspiring lyrics and memorable melodies.
Visual Arts
Use your hands and your imagination to bring complex concepts to life.

Where Students Become Teachers
At Wildfire, learning is collaborative. In a safe and non-judgmental environment, students are not passive listeners; they learn to facilitate and teach the material to their peers.
Guided by the central question, “How does this advance understanding?” students tackle huge and worthy topics, such as a past theme of “Working Towards a Better World” and exploring the Oneness of Mankind.
This process empowers students to become protagonists of their own learning and of positive change.
The Impact of an Unforgettable Week
The Wildfire experience is designed to nurture the whole person. By taking learning beyond the classroom, we help students grow in ways that will last a lifetime.
The benefits are clear:
It builds trusted friendships
and a powerful sense of community.
It improves resilience to stress
and supports creative and cognitive functioning.
It helps build self-esteem
by encouraging active participation and exploration.
It inspires good stewardship,
espect, and responsibility for our planet.
It motivates students
to be active agents in their own lives.
Build a Foundation for a Meaningful Future.
Learn how our curriculum nurtures the whole person, and see how you can start your transformative journey at NCA today.