Bill & Ki Clough Fund
An essential part of every Gould student’s journey
The Bill and Ki Clough Fund for Experiential Learning is an annual fund that allows donors to designate their annual gift to the experiential learning programs that make the Gould educational experience unique and best in class.
Please join us in supporting Bill and Ki Clough's legacy and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to experience Gould's signature programs. This fund is named in honor of former Head of School William P. “Bill” Clough III and his wife, Marta “Ki” Clough. The Cloughs’ career at Gould began in July 1983, and the positive changes in the school and the community that are attributed to their stewardship still resonate in the years since his retirement in 2001.
Bill and Ki were visionary leaders who developed the signature outdoor educational programs that are an essential part of a Gould education.
Gould Experiential Learning Signature Programs
Forest and Trails
The Forest and Trails program began with the student construction of a traditional post and beam barn in 1998. This program offers students the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of a traditional, diverse New England Farm. Students build fences, tap trees for syrup, press apples for cider, shovel manure, shear sheep, chop wood, nurture newborn animals, construct shelters, improve soil, plant seeds, and harvest vegetables and fruit.
Orientation and Other Outdoor Adventures
From the moment a student steps foot onto campus, that student becomes a bona fide explorer and is almost immediately whisked away on an introductory three-day backpacking or canoe trip. It’s adventures like these that help our students connect with fellow classmates and faculty, and to explore firsthand Gould’s incredible location. It’s also a precursor to the many more experiential learning opportunities for exploration to come. From week/weekend service and outdoor leadership trips to travel abroad adventures, opportunities like these help shape our students into well-traveled, responsible citizens.
The Four Point Program
A signature program at Gould, Four Point, is an integral part of the curriculum that starts in 9th grade and ends upon graduation.
Becoming a World Traveler (Ninth Grade)
Students travel in small groups to immerse themselves in new cultures and ways of life. These international experiences build confidence and empathy as travelers and create global awareness at a formative time in their high school journey.
In the past year, students walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, bonded with indigenous populations in the African Savannah, sea kayaked in the Caribbean around Dominica, and explored rainforest agriculture in Costa Rica.
Artistic Expression & Community Outreach (Tenth Grade)
Through robust workshops with visiting artists, students learn to express themselves in creative ways and discover aptitudes they didn’t know they had. Through local service projects, students uncover the power of giving back and make an impact in the local community. This past year included workshops in metalworking, jewelry-making, fashion design, culinary arts, and more!
A Transformative Winter Camping Expedition (Eleventh Grade)
On an eight-night winter camping expedition in the mountains of western Maine and the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire, students learn resilience, teamwork, and that they are capable of difficult things. It’s a formative rite of passage that builds confidence that students carry for life.
Independent Research (Twelfth Grade)
Seniors create independent projects rooted in personal passion—from service initiatives, or studies in environmental science, to global exploration. Students draw from everything they have learned in their time at Gould for these capstones.
