S. W., Class of '85: "The Estabrook Woods became my retreat and reward during the long winters....In the Woods, I could hear the rhythm of the skis in the white silence. In the Woods, I learned how to listen and, gradually, I learned how to ski....In the fall, running for the cross-country team, I'd watch for rocks and holes under the cover of red-golden leaves. In the spring, Sisyphus' plight took on new meaning, when we trudged endlessly up and down the same steep hill that edged Bateman's Pond."

P.A.C., Class of '52: "[K. B.] and I spent several winters in that wild area while we were there cutting primarily birch fir use in masters' and common room fireplaces. Monk regarded us as the best woodcutters the school had ever had. We became best friends and that friendship was bonded in part by the most satisfying work we did so well together in the 'wild' woods near school which we grew to respect."

D.M., Class of '95: "As a student in Jim Beaton's "Walden" class, it was so amazing to be able to ramble in the same wild places as Thoreau himself did. Also, the woods opened me up to a world of science.... On a personal level, Estabrook was a place of solitude, meditation, journaling, reflection... and wonder. Middlesex was difficult at times and the woods were a refuge. The woods made sense when, oftentimes during those high school years, other things did not."

T. J. B., Estabrook neighbor and Class of '72: "As a young, inquisitive child, I enjoyed an idyllic life in this rural community--wondering [sic] off each morning into Easterbrook Woods--setting out daily in an arbitrary direction, searching for adventure and always returning home in the late afternoon fulfilled by my exploratory sojourn. I learned about nature (God), by feeling the cool wet mud between my toes at the edges of the small pond in the woods behind my house. There I would adeptly stalk the giant bullfrog or the painted turtle or the milk snake.... Surely this was paradise. At least once a week in the summer, with my fishing rod in hand, I would hike up the old dirt road that led from my house to Bateman's Pond and fish for pickerel or perch--seldom returning home empty-handed. Dare I say never has a young boy ever had a more delightful childhood than I experienced here in Henry David's and my hometown."

R. B., Class of '42: "In my day, 'Walk East' was an accepted afternoon activity when one was not on an active sports team of the season. I 'walked east' many times....I loved these woods and was more familiar with second-growth woodlands than with striped grass fields.....I did a biological survey of Estabrook Woods as an assignment for biology class I took from W. J. R. 'Foggy' Taylor."

J. C., Class of '85?: "In the spring of my junior year..., I was attacked by a pair of Goshawks that were nesting in a White pine stand in the Esterbrook woods. Goshawks are extremely aggressive at the nest and both the male and the female took turns bombing me as I lay on the ground. The experience made a lasting impression."

C. J. P., Class of'28: "I have fond memories of this area and about much time roaming around the area, which may account for my failure to graduate!...I certainly would hate to see it go, because to this day those memories still exist."

H. S., Class of'61: "I do know that it was in the woods (and Loring Coleman's art classes) that I was happiest. Almost every Sunday I would head to the woods and purposely get lost, find a beautiful place to eat a picnic lunch and come back to the School a lot healthier in spirit. I banded birds with Peter Mott in those woods and learned from him about the science of 'ecology', fifteen years before the word became common parlance and a world movement."

H. J., Class of '96: "The fact that I can sit on the [Olmstead] circle with my friends and retreat into the woods is amazing. How many other schools have acres of woods for hiking, walks, cross country skiing and running, meditation and exploration? Now, how many schools have soccer fields? It was these woods which drew me to this school and it was the woods which drew many of my friends. Can you imagine being from a city and having the chance to lose yourself among trees, wetlands, and nature! It must be breathtaking."