Dear Buxton Community,

I have just returned from Oaxaca, where I was laying the groundwork for our all-school trip this year, and I could not be more excited. I met with travel guides, Spanish teachers, and a few generous locals, all of whom helped me put together itineraries for each of our four study groups– Arts, Politics, Architecture/Archaeology, and Ecology. The Arts group will tour workshops and studios in Oaxaca and the surrounding villages, viewing both ancestral crafts and contemporary street art in search of what gives Oaxaca its distinctive identity. Architecture/Archaeology will spend the week touring archaeological sites and churches, delving into the syncretism through which Oaxaca manages to be at once deeply Catholic and deeply indigenous. The Ecology group will learn about the water system that sustains this city, as well as the ancestral practices by which indigenous people continue to draw their craft and their livelihood from the land. Politics will dive deep into the histories of indigenous resistance to colonialism, looking at the struggle to protect indigenous lifeways and languages from the colonial monoculture, as well as the rich and challenging history of labor unions in the region.

Of course, there are a few things about Oaxaca that we don’t want any of our students to miss. So we’ll be taking everybody up to see Monte Alban, the ruins of the magnificent capital of the Zapotec culture. We will also take everyone through Teotitlán del Valle, where the indigenous weaving tradition is thriving. There, we’ll visit the workshop of Isaac Vasquez Gutierrez, the latest of generations of master weavers, and meet Doña Viviana, a 97 year old indigenous woman who makes breathtaking candles from beeswax. I am also in the process of organizing a soccer game and celebratory dinner with some Oaxacan high school students, which will give Buxton kids an opportunity to practice their Spanish and their footwork. While we’re there, everyone will be taking Spanish lessons. Finally, I am hoping we can raise money to pay for our students to attend the Guelaguetza Dinner at Quinta Real. It is reputed to be a wonderful experience.

This trip to Oaxaca will be the farthest Buxton has traveled since before the pandemic. My hope is that it signals a reinvigoration of Buxton’s tradition of pulling students all the way out of their comfort zone to experience something deep and true about humanity. This kind of trip can be life changing, as I’m sure many Buxton alums can attest. I hope we can count on your support to help make it a success.

Warmly,

Scott Hunter
Associate Director of Academics and Programming

Your gift to the All-School Trip impacts every Buxton student’s experience. Gifts of every size are incredibly important to ensure that our Trip to Oaxaca is as accessible, enriching, and transformative as possible for every member of our community.

Support the Journey

$2,500 – One student’s entire All-School Trip experience

$2,000 – An evening of traditional Oaxacan food and culture at The Dance Dinner at Quinta Real, hosted by Amado Bolaños.

$1,500 — Spanish lessons for the entire week

$1,000 – Transportation to and from the airport

$750 – One round-trip plane ticket to Oaxaca

$500 – A celebratory meal for our students and our Oaxacan friends after a soccer game

$250 – Transportation to Teotitlan del Valle

$100 – An afternoon swim at a local pool

$50 – One student’s lunch for the week

$25 –Admission for two students to the archaeological site at Monte Alban

With your support, students are able to fully participate in this shared experience—exploring a new culture, building lasting relationships, and engaging in meaningful learning beyond the classroom. Your generosity helps remove financial barriers and ensures that each student can take part in all aspects of the trip, from travel and accommodations to cultural activities and local partnerships.

Together, we can make this journey possible for all Buxton students. Thank you for being an essential part of this experience.

With appreciation,

Kade McCorvy
Director of Development