Discovery Northeast 2025

“A string of solar Christmas lights and a little lantern would really give this place a vibe!” Discovery staff member Joaquin Sosa tells a “family” group of students as they relax in their tent after learning to set it up during tent night on the EMS fields.  “Now you’ll only be setting it up and taking it down ten more times when we are on the road!” adds Julianne Ross, Discovery co-coordinator.

Nineteen high school students and nine staff are prepping to embark on a ten day trek of the Northeast section of the United States as soon as graduation weekend is completed.  EMS has a long history of Discovery trips exploring the midwest and western areas of the country but the trip to the Northeast is a first for the program! 

“The great part of this trip is that it’s never been done before!” says Jennifer Young, co-coordinator. “And yet, the challenging part is also that it’s never been done before.  We really don’t know what to expect!” 

The northeast will offer hiking and geology experiences in upstate New York, overnight canoe trip in the finger lakes, a floating classroom on Lake George, a look at eco-spirituality with Taftsville Chapel Mennonite Fellowship in Vermont, a morning visiting a CSA farm in Essex NY, hiking and biking in Acadia National Park and lobster boat tour in Bar Harbour and much more!  

“Discovery really gets us into experiential learning at its best!” says Julianne Ross. “American writer Wendell Berry talks about how when we get to know a place, we come to love it and when we love something, we take care of it.  All these places and people we interact with shapes how we advocate for the health and well-being of our earth and communities.”

The Discovery bus will be a home base for the 3000 miles and will have curriculum binders, chromebooks, and a library for learning as well as games, art supplies, frisbees, snacks, and instant pots for cooking while driving down the road!  A truck and trailer pull the camping and cooking gear needed for stopping to camp every night along the way.  Karla Tierney, EMS head of dining hall, will be along to feed the crowd with camp food and instant pot meals. Also joining as trip leaders are Mike Stoltzfus, Ben Bixler, Malea Gascho, Mary Jo Veurink and Diego Torres. 

You are invited to follow along on the adventures and keep up to date with the daily student reports on social media! 

Follow us on instagram (@EMS.Discovery) and Facebook (EMS Discovery).  Trip dates:  June 3-June 12, 2025