At the luncheon, alumni, students, and faculty shared stories spanning decades, revealing remarkable common threads. While destinations and equipment may have changed over the years, the heart of the program has remained constant: creating opportunities for students to challenge themselves, depend on one another, and experience the transformative power of nature.
The luncheon also served as the unofficial launch of Giving Day, inviting the community to invest in a program that has shaped generations of Poly students—and will continue to do so for generations to come. Atticus’s closing reflection brought the afternoon full circle. The mountains, rivers, and islands he described are more than destinations; they are places where students learn to slow down, reflect, and discover a deeper connection to themselves and the world around them. We are grateful for the generosity and vision of the Grace Henley and Oak Tree Societies members, whose enduring commitment ensures that future generations of Poly students will continue to find wonder beyond the classroom.
To learn more about making a planned gift to Poly and the benefits of Grace Henley Society membership, please contact the Advancement Office at giving@polytechnic.org.
Generations of Discovery
Grace Henley and Oak Tree Societies Luncheon celebrates the enduring impact of Outdoor Education
“Among my favorite experiences at Poly is the Outdoor Education program, where I have traveled to Big Sur, Mount Whitney, and the Channel Islands,” shared Atticus Van Gundy ’26. “I developed an appreciation for the way nature calls us to pause and take in its beauty, the way it imparts a sense of awe and assurance.”
For the members of Poly’s Grace Henley and Oak Tree Societies that gathered this spring, Atticus’s words were a testament to the enduring value of the experiences their generosity has made possible.
The annual Grace Henley and Oak Tree Societies Luncheon celebrates the alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends whose long-standing support has shaped the School for generations. Members of the Grace Henley Society have demonstrated extraordinary foresight by including Poly in their estate plans, while members of the Oak Tree Society have faithfully supported the School through philanthropy for twenty years or more.
This year’s program focused on one of Poly’s most beloved traditions: Outdoor Education.
Since its start in the mid-1970s, Outdoor Education has been a defining part of a Poly education. Students have backpacked through Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite National Park, Escalante,and Mount Whitney; canoed the Colorado River; lived sustainably on a ranch in the Sequoia National Forest; sailed and kayaked through the Channel Islands; and white-water rafted the Kern River. Wherever students’ Outdoor Education experiences have taken them, they have developed resilience, confidence, and often-lifelong friendships.
This year, Poly expanded Outdoor Education into the Lower School with an inaugural trip to Santa Catalina Island for fifth graders.
