Rudolf Steiner School Hosts Eigth Grade Portfolio Exhibit

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School will host a portfolio exhibit by this year's eighth-grade graduating class, a free event taking place Tuesday, June 6, at 4 p.m. and Wednesday, June 7, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the school, 35 West Plain Road.

The Class of 2017's 22 soon-to-be graduates have journeyed together from first through eighth grade and will present their handmade books in core academic subjects including history, mathematics, biology, chemistry, botany, language arts and foreign language, and portfolios of work in handwork, woodwork, geometry, 2D and 3D art. Eighth-graders will be on hand to discuss their work, as well as team and character-building experiences in outdoor education, the performing arts, sports and community service, with plenty of time for visitors to ask questions and learn more about Waldorf education in the Berkshires.

"Steiner's portfolio exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore both the work produced throughout the Waldorf lower school curriculum, and to meet the extraordinary students this work develops," said Faculty Administrator Michael Junkins. "Steiner students are poised, articulate and engaged. We believe this genuine self-motivation is key to their future success, both in high school and in life. In the coming era when all work is likely to be portfolio-based, these graduates are well-prepared to succeed."

The Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School Class of 2017 has achieved a 100 percent acceptance rate to the high schools of their choice, including Berkshire School (Sheffield), Berkshire Waldorf High School (Stockbridge), Concord Academy (Concord, Mass.), Doane Stuart (Rensselaer, N.Y.), Emma Willard (Troy, N.Y.), The Harley School (Rochester, N.Y.), Millbrook School (Millbrook, N.Y.), Miss Hall's School (Pittsfield), Monument Mountain Regional High School, Mount Everett High School, Putney School (Putney, Vt.) and Simon's Rock Bard Academy, as well as summer arts programs at Interlochen Arts Academy (Interlochen, Mich.) and Walnut Hill School for the Arts (Natick, Mass.).

Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School’s curriculum of academic excellence activated with movement, music, outdoor learning and the arts has been preparing students to achieve their full potential for 45 years, and earned Steiner "Best School in the Berkshires" accolades for five consecutive years, including 2016. The school offers rolling admissions and sliding scale tuition, and is now welcoming new applications. Email Admissions Director Robyn Coe at admissions@gbrss.org or call 413-528-4015, ext. 106.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.