Extracurricular Activities at The Family Foundation School.
Sports
The Family Foundation School offers a variety of interscholastic sports, including soccer, basketball, cheerleading, golf, and softball.
Requirements for students include passing their classes, doing work inside their families, and meeting the NYS sports requirements.
Students typically gain an understanding of how to work together as a unit and how to make a commitment and keep it.
Journalism
Journalism is a great opportunity for aspiring writers and photographers to put their talents to use.
The double-period class takes place third and fourth period every day and works as a dual credit for English and an extracurricular activity.
Out of this course, students gain a better understanding of the English language, develop people skills, grow in their program, and get a real sense of what a work ethic means.
The class requires a one-year commitment and is open to juniors and seniors.
Yearbook
Yearbook is a wonderful way to get involved in and give back to FFS.
The class is held Monday through Thursday during Activity Periods A and B. “I really enjoy the chance to be creative while contributing to the yearbook,” said Nick B., student from Family Three.
The students learn how to work with each other, as well as the basics of journalistic writing, photography, advertising, and graphic design. Because of the amount of work to be done, yearbook is a one-year commitment.
Photography
Photography is the perfect class for students looking to express their creative side in a positive way.
Photography is a double-period class that takes place on Mondays during fifth and sixth period. The class counts as a quarter of an art elective credit.
Students who sign up for photography learn how to take photographs, edit them using computer software, work with others, and build lasting relationships based on a healthy common interest.
The class is open to everyone at the school, but is limited to seven students per class.
Fly-Fishing
Fly-fishing is the ideal class for anyone who loves nature and being outside.
Fly-fishing is a block class, taking up both Activity Periods A and B.
Students in the class can gain a new skill, a personal connection to nature, programatical growth, and long-lasting relationships with fellow classmates.
All the class requires is a willingness to participate and is open to everyone at the school.
Music Theory
Music theory is a great class for anyone who loves music and is interested in gaining a better knowledge of it.
Music theory is a single-period class that occurs two days a week. It counts as a quarter of an art elective credit.
Students in the class will learn to read and understand basic music, be able to write a short composition, and will gain discipline through paying attention to detail.
The class is one full semester and is open to everyone at the school.
Boy Scouts Troop 174
The best part of joining the Boy Scouts is the chance for advancement and community service.
Students learn basic living and survival skills. Boy Scouts is open to boys, ages 13-17.
Boy Scouts are active year-round and there is no limit to how many boys can join the troop.
If students join, they need to be willing to stay until they become an Eagle Scout or until they turn 18.
Venture Crew
Venture Crew is a branch of the Boy Scout program and shares the scouting goals of improving the community.
The only major difference is that Venture Crew is coed and participants can be older than 18.
It is a year-round extracurricular. The only requirement to join is that students be at the school for a minimum of three months.
Students can go on trips if they are doing well in their families and have been here a minimum of six months.
Drama
Drama is a great way for students to break out of their comfort zone and be part of a great production for the community.
Drama puts on two performances a year. Students are committed to participating in Drama for one production.
The March play is directed by Sid Parham. Students memorize lines and go through a series of afternoon practices and all-day rehearsals.
Similarly, Tom Kovaleski produces a musical every September, where students have acting parts, singing roles, playing in the pit band and can be involved in the chorus.
Woodcarving
Commitment, the willingness to work on small tasks one at a time and follow instructions is all it takes to be in woodcarving.
Not only is woodcarving about learning what it’s like to enjoy a hobby, it’s also about relaxing, letting go of what’s going on, and being able to complete a beautiful carving.
The students choose the carving they want to do. Once they have decided, they will be asked to write an essay on the animal that they chose so that they get to know something about what they are making.
Chorus
One of the best ways to keep up your program and exercise your self-confidence is to be part of The Family Singers.
“Typically students who participate in chorus grow in areas of self-confidence, (self) respect, spiritual connectivity, self-exploration, accomplishment, success, and friendship,” says Choral Director Paul Geer.
Chorus is a semester-long commitment, and the only requirement to join is a desire to sing.
Chorus takes place three times a week during the Activity A and B periods at the end of the school day.
Debate
Debate and speech are great activities for anyone who is particularly interested in current events, politics, drama, or literature.
This activity can be done either individually or in teams of two, making it fun to do with friends.
Students can gain public speaking skills, an involvement in current events, and even scholarship opportunities from forensics.
Anyone can be on the forensics team with family leader approval.
From October to March, tournaments are held on Saturdays, and a class is available for those who wish to improve their skills, although it is not required.
Art
Art is offered to students at FFS who are aspiring artists or to students who would like to try something new.
“Art is discipline, and teaches students artistic spirituality,” said art teacher Yuri Kuchukov. Students learn a different aspect of spirituality or calmness, and are taught how to express their thoughts in a different way.
Art class is held on Monday through Fridays during 7th, 8th, and 9th periods and is a year commitment. Any student is welcome to sign up for art class.
Tap Dance
Tap Dance is a wonderful way of letting out all the feelings inside of oneself in a positive manner. Director Tom Kovaleski said, “The feeling that I get while dancing is why I do it.”
“I have found tap dance a good way to get out of myself and get involved, and it is very rewarding having all that hard work go into a good performance” said Pat M., student in tap dance.
Tap dance is offered seventh period on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Shepherd’s Knitting Circle
The Shepherd’s Knitting Circle is a great way to make something for yourself or others. The group meets every Wednesday during Activity Periods A & B.
Lessons are available. Yarn, crochet hooks, and knitting needles are provided. Students can make whatever they want and have the finished item blessed by Father Liz.
Betsey’s Craft Class
Betsey’s Craft Class meets on Sundays at 2 p.m. Students choose their own projects, and can do them at any pace they like.
Sign-ups are every Sunday morning.
Dog-Training
A fun activity for people interested in working with animals, dog training only requires a good attitude and a willingness to learn while having fun.
Students can walk dogs, practice obedience training, or help the Eagle Valley Search and Rescue Team practice with their rescue dogs.
Because it involves a lot of physical activity with dogs, dog training is not for anyone who is afraid to get a little dirty. Family leader approval is necessary, and students must have a least one month at FFS.
Student Government
Student government is a great experience for students who want to make a difference around FFS and in the local communities.
They meet on the first Wednesday of every month during lunch.
Each family elects one boy and one girl representative. The whole school votes for the 9-12 grade representatives. The members of Student Government elect a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
To be a member of Student Government, students must be here for at least six months, and be approved by their family leader.
Music Lessons
FFS is offering individualized music lessons to any student who wants to learn an instrument, further their advanced study, or pursue a career in music.
Lessons take place once a week. The students will come out of class on a rotating period-by-period basis each week.
Students who take lessons will be able to take the theory of music and put it to practical use by playing the instrument of their choice. There will also be an optional recital each semester.
Lessons are open to everyone at the school.
Garden Club
Being willing to put effort into gardening is all it takes to be a part of Gardening Club, which is led by Lindy McCarthy.
The students meet whenever they have time available during the following periods: Tuesdays ninth period, Wednesday seventh, eighth, and ninth period, and Thursdays ninth period.
Picking weeds, and watering and planting the plants as well as picking fresh fruit and vegetables is a fun activity, and enables student gardeners to spend some time outside, relax, and enjoy the warm weather.
Running Club
Running Club is for students who have a desire to stay physically fit and have fun while doing it.
Led by Tommy Cummings, students meet at 6:00 a.m. every Saturday morning. Usually the students run from the school to French Woods and back, approximately three miles.
Runners participate in an off-campus race once a month, making it a good opportunity for anyone who is interested in running when they leave The Family School.
The Running Club is open to anyone who is 18 years old or has been at FFS for one year or more.
