The Shrub Oak International School Photography Club members had an amazing experience practicing their photography skills outdoors recently, enjoying beautiful springtime weather and scenery at Croton Gorge Park, a picturesque location in Westchester County that offers breathtaking views of the Croton Dam and lush woodlands just beginning to show their early spring colors. Our students and staff spent the day immersed in the natural environment, using their cameras and telephones to capture the textures, light, and colors of the landscape around them.
Croton Gorge Park provided a rich variety of subjects for our student photographers. Some students were drawn to the massive cascading water of the dam, experimenting with shutter speed to blur or freeze the motion. Others focused on the small details—moss growing on rocks, sunlight filtering through branches, and reflections in the river below. The park’s trails gave us the opportunity to explore different vantage points and discover hidden spots that sparked students’ creativity and curiosity.
For many of our students, photography is more than just a hobby—it’s a meaningful form of self-expression. Our education and recreation teams work closely with each student to support individual learning goals, and the Photography Club is one way we integrate creativity, communication, and social development into real-world experiences. While at the park, students practiced not only technical photography skills, but also engaged in turn-taking, shared storytelling, and spontaneous collaboration. One student helped another adjust the angle of a photo to capture the dam in the background, while another shared ideas for editing during our post-trip reflection.
We encourage our students to see the world through multiple perspectives, and photography provides a powerful lens for that. The ability to slow down and observe the world in detail supports emotional regulation and mindfulness, especially in natural settings. Walking along the trails at Croton Gorge Park, Shrub Oak students used photography to connect with the environment and with each other. For some, it was their first time visiting the park, and they expressed joy and pride in capturing its beauty through their own eyes.
The images taken during the trip will be featured in our student gallery on campus, and select photos will be considered for inclusion in this year’s Shrub Oak International School yearbook. As always, we’re proud to showcase student work and celebrate their accomplishments. Photography Club continues to be a favorite among many students, offering a structured but flexible environment to explore visual storytelling while developing independence and confidence.
We are grateful for the opportunity to explore local landmarks like Croton Gorge Park and to integrate these outings into our holistic programming. With spring in full swing, we look forward to more outdoor adventures where students can practice their photography skills and continue building community through creativity.
