A striking irony of the current moment is that deep relationships to nature and community are needed now more than ever, just as these connections seem increasingly out of reach for many families. Outdoor education providers and boarding schools alike are grappling with enrollment pressures and shifting family priorities. HMI is not immune to these challenges, and while our mission remains as vital as ever, the landscape in which we operate has changed.
Outdoor education providers have reported a “post-COVID slump” in demand, combined with a growing preference toward shorter programming. The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) reported that last year’s total student expedition days was their lowest in 25 years, apart from 2020. Both NOLS and Outward Bound have recently had to close branches and reduce their workforces. In the summer camp industry, demand for shorter sessions has surged.
Independent boarding schools are facing similar headwinds. Last year, while many day schools grew, 63% of boarding schools reported decreased enrollment. Several of our peer semester schools have closed in recent years, most recently the Oxbow School in California. These data points signal a broader decline in demand for immersive and residential programs.
HMI has felt these pressures firsthand. Our recent HMI Semester cohorts have settled closer to thirty students, compared to the fifty we welcomed as recently as three or four years ago. Some of this decline reflects changes at our sending schools: lowered caps on study-away participation, stricter tuition remission policies, and less enthusiastic support for semester programs. Some stems from broader cultural currents: heightened anxiety, a post-pandemic craving for comfort and belonging at home, and the rising pull of sports specialization and extracurricular demands.
Yet, even amid these challenges, HMI’s foundation is solid. We continue to attract students who have dreamed of HMI for years (often inspired by a sibling, teacher, or camp counselor), and who arrive eager to immerse themselves fully. Our endowment, currently valued at nearly $13 million, and the generous ongoing support of donors in this community have allowed us to maintain our commitment to financial aid and diverse student cohorts. My fellow semester school heads and I believe we are at or nearing an “enrollment floor:” a stable baseline of students who reliably seek out semester-long experiences each year. Our top priority is reaching those students who could be convinced about the value of a semester away, but who face doubts or other barriers to enrollment.
Make no mistake: the value of what HMI offers is greater than ever. In an era of mounting political, technological, and environmental uncertainty, our students gain resilience, adaptability, and confidence from the lessons hard-earned through wilderness expeditions and communal living. These outcomes cannot be replicated in shorter bursts of programming, nor in virtual formats. As our alumni can attest, a four-month immersive program like the HMI Semester fosters a different type and depth of growth, one that cannot be gained through shorter programs, nor on the straight-and-narrow typical school trajectory.
While our commitment to our mission and core values does not waver, we are adapting our communications and outreach strategy to better convey the value of our programs. In the coming pages, you will hear from Director of Admissions Jill Gardiner about these changes, and how you can help us get the word out. Thank you for being part of this community, and helping to make HMI possible for the next generation of young people who seek to be inspired by the natural world.
This article first appeared in the Fall 2025 Newsletter.