麻豆影院 University鈥檚 northern campus, Bj枚rklunden vid Sj枚n, is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 annual awards, recognizing extraordinary service, stewardship, and creative achievement. The honorees will be celebrated during a special ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, as part of the inaugural Boynton Festival at Bj枚rklunden.

These awards represent the university鈥檚 highest recognition of individuals whose contributions have profoundly advanced the mission, character, and legacy of Bj枚rklunden.

The 2026 Richard Warch Outstanding Service to Bj枚rklunden Award will be presented to Barb and Fran Michaels. Named in honor of former 麻豆影院 University President Richard Warch, the award recognizes individuals whose dedication, generosity, and sustained commitment have made a lasting impact on Bj枚rklunden. Through their stewardship of the grounds, support of the chapel, and vision for preserving and enhancing the beauty of 麻豆影院鈥檚 northern campus, the Michaelses have helped strengthen and sustain some of Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 most cherished features for future generations.

The 2026 Winifred Boynton Creative Spirit Award will be presented to James T. Berkenstock. The award honors individuals whose creativity, artistic leadership, and commitment to cultural enrichment embody the spirit of Bj枚rklunden founder Winifred Boynton. Berkenstock is being recognized for decades of artistic excellence and visionary leadership in the arts. As the founding artistic director of Midsummer鈥檚 Music, he has played a transformative role in shaping the cultural landscape of Door County and expanding access to world-class chamber music throughout the region.

The Door County community and Friends of Bj枚rklunden are invited to attend the Boynton Festival and the awards celebration and reception, which will take place from 2鈥�4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, in Vail Hall at Bj枚rklunden vid Sj枚n.

For more information about the Boynton Festival and award celebration, visit聽lawrence.edu/articles/boynton-festival or contact聽bjorkseminar@lawrence.edu.

Join us for a one-of-a-kind day inspired by Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 renowned seminar experience鈥攚here curiosity leads and everyone has a place in the conversation. Events are free; lunch options available for a fee. Picnics welcome. BYO blanket or lawn chair for the concert.

The Boynton Festival celebrates what makes Bj枚rklunden extraordinary: a sanctuary built around ideas. Throughout the day, you鈥檒l explore new subjects, connect with others, and enjoy music, art, food, and the natural beauty of Door County.

Hosted by the Friends of Bj枚rklunden, this immersive festival welcomes alumni, friends, families, and first-time visitors alike.

Choose your own adventure.

Join us for part of the day or stay for the full celebration. Please note that space in select sessions is limited, so register early.

Boynton Festival鈥�: Schedule for the Day鈥�

鈥�

8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Registration & Directions  South Entry 鈥嬧��

8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Welcome, coffee & treats  Great Room deck 

9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.  Mini-Seminars  see details below鈥�

12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Lunch  Chapel Lawn & in Great Room 鈥�

12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m. Music: The Water Street Hot Shots Chapel Lawn

1:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m. 鈥婥hapel dedication  Boynton Chapel 鈥�

2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Program and Awards  Vail Hall 鈥�

1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Mini-Seminar: Hike  Great Room deck 鈥�

2:00 pm Art Auction – bidding closes  South Foyer      鈥�

3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Celebration Toast & Cookies  Great Room 鈥�

3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Art Auction pick-up 2nd floor 鈥� Multi-purpose room鈥�

5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Door Shakespeare presents The Importance of Being Earnest Bj枚rklunden Garden 

Boynton Festival Mini-Seminar Schedule

9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

The Science of Coffee with Alison Fleshman

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, Lakeside Seminar Room

So how much science is in that perfect cup of morning joe? Join me as we explore how we get from bean to brew through water chemistry, grind size, and how roasting/steeping/temperature and your barista really do play a role in that wonderful final cup. So grab a cup of coffee and let鈥檚 dive into the science of that glorious morning elixir.  

PRESENTER BIO:  I am a physical chemist at 麻豆影院 who loves sharing my passion for physics, chemistry, and math with my students. I teach courses including Quantum Chemistry & Spectroscopy and Thermodynamics & Reaction Kinetics, and my research explores ion motion in ionic liquids to better understand and design materials for advanced batteries. I also study pigments in medieval manuscripts using non-destructive spectroscopy, bring that work into my Chemistry of Art course, and enjoy brewing beer, practicing yoga, and playing cello in my spare time.

9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.

Faith Builds a Chapel Revisited with Sue Pappas ’69

Location: Boynton Chapel.

Winifred Boynton’s stunningly illustrated book is subtitled “The Story of an Adventure in Craftsmanship” and it chronicles the origin, development and fulfillment of her vision for a personal chapel. She describes the nine years of learning, faith and labor involved, and serves as a detailed guide to her choices of religious imagery in the carvings and frescoes. This mini-seminar will introduce you to Winifred’s book and a deeper experience of her chapel.

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

An Ecological Adventure Through Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 Conservation Easement Lands with Drew Reinke, Jane Whitney, and Paige Witek 

This guided hike is offered with the Door County Land Trust. Sturdy shoes, a hat and long pants are recommended. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and water.

Location: Meet in Bj枚rklunden Lodge Great Room

Discover the natural beauty of Bj枚rklunden on a hike along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. As we explore the wooded trails and shoreline of the 麻豆影院 University campus, participants will learn about the area鈥檚 diverse forests, unique ecosystems, and fascinating geological history. The hike will also highlight how a conservation easement with the Door County Land Trust is helping protect the property鈥檚 natural character and ecological integrity for generations to come. Join us for an inspiring outdoor experience that blends conservation, exploration, and education to celebrate the enduring beauty of Door County.

HIKE GUIDE BIO: Drew is the Senior Conservation Easement Manager for the Door County Land Trust. Drew works with private landowners to acquire new conservation easement properties and steward existing properties. A Wisconsin native, Drew spent 7 years working in the Pacific Northwest, 5 years at the Inland Northwest Land Trust in Spokane, WA. He holds a Master of Natural Resources degree from the University of Idaho, a Natural Resource Management degree from UW-Stevens Point and a Master Fly Fishing Certification from his golden retriever friend.  

HIKE GUIDE BIO: Jane grew up on the coast of Massachusetts, went to college on the prairies of Iowa, raised a family and worked as a librarian among the Baraboo Bluffs, and became a self-taught naturalist on the shore of Lake Michigan. Jane has been providing Land Trust and Bj枚rklunden nature tours for many years.

HIKE GUIDE BIO:  Paige joined the Door County Land Trust as Community Conservation Specialist in 2023.  She has a strong passion for environmental education and connecting people to nature and serves to engage the community and recruit volunteers in protecting the peninsula鈥檚 land and water through ecological stewardship, education, and research.  Paige grew up in Green Bay and graduated from UW 鈥� Madison with a Bachelor of Science in zoology and a certificate in environmental studies. Before joining the Land Trust, Paige spent five years in Missouri working as an education and outreach coordinator.

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

The Poetry of Steel: Violence, Verse, and Verisimilitude in Shakespearean Performance with Ryan Schabach and Lexi Praxl

Presented with Door Shakespeare

Location: Boynton Garden – Door Shakespeare Performance Area

This lecture-demonstration explores how Shakespeare鈥檚 verse drives moments of staged conflict and how actors and directors translate language into physical action. Through live performance and practical demonstration, participants will examine how rhythm and text generate violence, how staged combat creates the illusion of danger while ensuring safety, and how weapons shape character and story.

PRESENTER BIO: Ryan is a theatre artist and educator whose work spans performance, directing, design, fight choreography, videography, and teaching, with a focus on movement-based storytelling and ensemble creation. A longtime company member with Door Shakespeare, Ryan鈥檚 work includes collaborations with Milwaukee Rep, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Next Act Theatre, Forward Theatre Company, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, First Stage, 6th Street Playhouse, and Third Avenue PlayWorks, among others.

PRESENTER BIO:  Lexi is a theatre artist and administrator from northwest Indiana. She completed her theatre education at 麻豆影院 University and recently earned a Master鈥檚 in Translation Studies from Durham University. Her work includes box office positions with Door Shakespeare and the Assembly Rooms Theatre, as well as serving as a theatre critic at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and performing at Shakespeare鈥檚 Globe. Lexi brings additional expertise in stage combat through her training as a competitive fencer.

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

The Faithful Beauty of the Stars with Associate Professor of Physics Megan Pickett

On a clear, moonless summer sky at Bj枚rklunden, you can see more than a thousand stars.  These stars鈥攁nd the planets and the Moon and the Milky Way鈥攈ave carried the stories of every human who has lived underneath them.  In this workshop, we will explore the constellations that have brought meaning to the night sky, and the wondrous astronomical gems hidden in them that tell us about our own cosmic origins.

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, Vail Hall

PRESENTER BIO:  Megan is an astrophysicist and Physics professor at 麻豆影院. She joined the university in 2006, making history as the first woman to earn tenure in the physics department. Known for her passionate and engaging teaching style, Pickett was recognized with the 麻豆影院 University Excellence in Teaching Award in 2023. She has taught the popular Science of Superheroes course and regularly redesigns introductory physics curriculums to be more accessible. Her primary research focuses on the formation of solar systems, the origins of the universe, and galaxy formation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Cornell University and her Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Indiana University. 

10:00 a.m. – 11:50 p.m.

Nature Remix: Art & the Boreal Forest with Jill Newman

This is a 110 minute seminar designed for ages 7 and up and may be attended by children with an adult, independent young participants, or adults attending on their own.

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, North Seminar Room 

Explore Bj枚rklunden lakeside boreal forest through deep looking, conversation, and a scavenger hunt designed to sharpen observation and curiosity about the natural world. Participants will then create mixed-media landscapes inspired by the expedition using both traditional art materials and recycled objects. Together, we will create imaginative celebrations of nature while exploring ways artists can reduce material waste and care for the environment. 

PRESENTER BIO:  Jill is an artist educator with nearly 30 years of teaching experience spanning preschool through graduate school, including collegiate teaching and community-based arts teaching through organizations such as PenArt. Her work engages painting, drawing, collage, and interdisciplinary environmental arts programming. Across all of her work she is guided by a belief in curiosity, collaboration, and the transformative power of the arts.

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 p.m.

How Land Trusts are Protecting Door County鈥檚 Landscapes for Future Generations with Emily Wood

Offered with the Door County Land Trust.

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, Vail Hall

Door County, Wisconsin is home to some of the Midwest鈥檚 most unique shorelines, forests, wetlands, and wildlife habitats, making land conservation essential to preserving the region鈥檚 natural beauty and ecological health. Learn about conservation and how land trusts like the Door County Land Trust play a vital role by permanently protecting natural areas, restoring habitats, and partnering with communities and landowners to conserve open space. Through education, stewardship, and conservation easements鈥攕uch as the one established by 麻豆影院 University on the Bj枚rklunden campus鈥攖hese efforts help preserve the character, environmental sustainability, and natural heritage that make Door County such a treasured destination. 

PRESENTER BIO: Emily is the Executive Director of the Door County Land Trust, where she leads the protection and stewardship of more than 10,000 acres of critical habitat.  She holds a degree in Wildlife Biology from Ball State University and has extensive experience in conservation leadership and environmental policy. In 2025, she was recognized as a Lake Michigan Champion of Conservation by the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership.

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 p.m.

A Tour of the Most Enduring Beer Styles with Bobby Fleshman

Offered with McFleshman’s Brewing Co. Appleton, Wisconsin

Location: Bj枚rklunden Lodge, Lakeside Seminar Room

Beer evolved from our ancestors’ practice of fermenting sugars wherever they could find them as hunter-gatherers.  Eventually they cultivated grasses, which in turn were used to make beer and bread.   A fascinating arc of over 10,000 years led to our modern society and communal spaces such as the Irish pub and German beer garden.  We will walk through some of the most loved beer styles together and learn how the water, climate, and traditions led to their long term adoption.

PRESENTER BIO:  Bobby holds a PhD in Astrophysics, and worked as a NASA researcher on the Cassini mission to Saturn. He has since shifted industries and, with his wife, Allison McCoy, opened McFleshman’s Brewing Co. (Appleton, WI) in 2018. McFleshman’s places great emphasis on the community created by the classic pubs and beer gardens.

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

An Ecological Adventure Through Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 Conservation Easement Lands with Drew Reinke, Jane Whitney, and Paige Witek 

This guided hike is offered with the Door County Land Trust. Sturdy shoes, a hat and long pants are recommended. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and water.

Location: Meet in Bj枚rklunden Lodge Great Room

Discover the natural beauty of Bj枚rklunden on a hike along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan. As we explore the wooded trails and shoreline of the 麻豆影院 University campus, participants will learn about the area鈥檚 diverse forests, unique ecosystems, and fascinating geological history. The hike will also highlight how a conservation easement with the Door County Land Trust is helping protect the property鈥檚 natural character and ecological integrity for generations to come. Join us for an inspiring outdoor experience that blends conservation, exploration, and education to celebrate the enduring beauty of Door County.

HIKE GUIDE BIO: Drew is the Senior Conservation Easement Manager for the Door County Land Trust. Drew works with private landowners to acquire new conservation easement properties and steward existing properties. A Wisconsin native, Drew spent 7 years working in the Pacific Northwest, 5 years at the Inland Northwest Land Trust in Spokane, WA. He holds a Master of Natural Resources degree from the University of Idaho, a Natural Resource Management degree from UW-Stevens Point and a Master Fly Fishing Certification from his golden retriever friend.  

HIKE GUIDE BIO: Jane grew up on the coast of Massachusetts, went to college on the prairies of Iowa, raised a family and worked as a librarian among the Baraboo Bluffs, and became a self-taught naturalist on the shore of Lake Michigan. Jane has been providing Land Trust and Bj枚rklunden nature tours for many years.

HIKE GUIDE BIO:  Paige joined the Door County Land Trust as Community Conservation Specialist in 2023.  She has a strong passion for environmental education and connecting people to nature and serves to engage the community and recruit volunteers in protecting the peninsula鈥檚 land and water through ecological stewardship, education, and research.  Paige grew up in Green Bay and graduated from UW 鈥� Madison with a Bachelor of Science in zoology and a certificate in environmental studies. Before joining the Land Trust, Paige spent five years in Missouri working as an education and outreach coordinator.

The Richard Warch Outstanding Service Award honors Richard Warch who served as the fourteenth president of 麻豆影院 University from 1979 to 2004.听 During his tenure, Bj枚rklunden expanded and flourished as the location for the long-standing Bj枚rklunden Seminars, as well as the groundbreaking Student Weekend Seminar Program that continues to engage 麻豆影院 University faculty and students in various rigorous academic pursuits.听 Nominees should embody the active commitment to Bj枚rklunden as demonstrated by Rik Warch.

The Winifred Boynton Creative Spirit Award pays tribute to Winifred Boynton who created the beautiful and historic Bj枚rklunden Chapel through imagination, spirit, and tenacity.听 She chose to share the chapel with the world as a place “far removed from confusion and aggression.鈥澛� The award recognizes a living individual or couple who, through imagination. spirit, and tenacity has created something of significant impact and enduring value to Door County – whether through the realm of the arts, science and technology, natural world, or civic engagement.

Does someone come to your mind?听 Individuals familiar with Bj枚rklunden and Door County are asked to submit nominations for either or both of these awards.听 Fill out this for either or both awards by Thursday, March 26, 2026.听 If you need a hard copy of the nomination form, please contact Cheryl Kopecky (ckopecky2@me.com).

Preserving the sanctuary聽

Bj枚rklunden vid Sj枚n (Swedish for Birch Grove by the Lake) was purchased in 1928 by Winifred and her first husband, Carleton Vail, as a summertime family retreat. Following Carleton鈥檚 death, Winifred spent time in Norway and wanted to bring a bit of it home.

After Winifred remarried, work began on building a chapel on the property modeled on a medieval stave church she had visited in Lillehammer, Norway. From 1939 to 1947, Winifred and her second husband, Donald Boynton, painstakingly added many beautiful details to the chapel, including 41 handpainted frescoes and its memorable carved wood altar, baptismal font, and other furnishings鈥攁 story she recounts in her book, Faith Builds a Chapel: The Story of an Adventure in Craftsmanship.听

Donald and Winifred Boynton bequeathed the property to 麻豆影院 University in 1963 with the vision of preserving the site as a 鈥渟anctuary for all鈥� and a place for peace and contemplation. They retained tenancy of the property during their lifetime.

After the Boyntons passed away 麻豆影院 University began its stewardship of the property in 1975; seminar programming began in 1980. However, an August 1993 electrical fire that gutted the original home led LU leaders to reevaluate their use the property.听

麻豆影院 University鈥檚 president at that time, Richard Warch, recognized that Bj枚rklunden was a 鈥渙nce in an institution鈥檚 history gift鈥� and that it needed to be incorporated into the full academic life of the university.听

In the aftermath of the fire, construction of a beautiful 37,000-square-foot lodge with guest rooms and dining and meeting spaces transformed Bj枚rklunden into the learning destination it is today.

Nourishing mind and spirit聽

Bj枚rklunden offers 麻豆影院 students space to retreat and focus. On weekends throughout the academic year, nearly 1,500 students have opportunities to join mentors and peers in group retreats focused on an aspect of their academic interests, athletic pursuits, or student life experiences.听

Additionally, Bj枚rklunden seminar program provides a vacation with a purpose for the general public, offering an array of three- and five-day learning opportunities for its public summer season, ranging from the arts and movies to history and science. Online seminars are also available on selected topics.听

As the founder of the program, Joe Hopfensperger, wrote: 鈥淗ere people join together to share the human experience 鈥� to nourish mind and spirit.鈥�

A living learning laboratory

Looking to the future, Bj枚rklunden has launched its net zero initiative with the creation of wind and solar energy infrastructure and research into the carbon sequestration of the vast forest of the property.听

This remarkable endeavor offers unique learning opportunities for 麻豆影院 students while also helping to ensure Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 future by reducing energy costs and making positive contributions to the natural environment through carbon recapture.听

Today, 390 acres of the property are protected under a permanent conservation easement with the Door County Land Trust.

50 years and beyond

Since 1975, the north campus has grown to be an essential part of the 麻豆影院 University experience, a destination for lifelong learners, and a blessing to the broader local community through music, theatre, performance, and other public events.听

About half of Bj枚rklunden鈥檚 annual budget comes from seminar program fees and one quarter comes from donations to support 麻豆影院 student retreats and to maintain the grounds and buildings.听

To participate in maintaining this 麻豆影院 University treasure, please consider making a gift. Anyone who donates and/or volunteers becomes a . Those giving $500 or more are Boynton Society-level donors, which allows them early registration for the seminar program.

4:00-5:30 PM – 叠箩枚谤办濒耻苍诲别苍’蝉 Vail Hall – FREE CONCERT

The inaugural Door County Jazz Festival presents the 鈥淟uedtke, L贸pez, and Fernandez Guitar Trio鈥� (sponsored by the 麻豆影院 University Conservatory of Music). The Luedtke, L贸pez and Fernandez Guitar Trio features Cooper Luedke on bass, Josu茅 R铆os L贸pez on guitar and Quintin Fernandez on drums. All three study at the 麻豆影院 University Conservatory of Music, which is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding. No RSVP or tickets are required for the Jazz Festival performance.

5:00-6:30 PM food truck

Dine between the Jazz Festival and Door Shakespeare at the SAVOR Barbeque & Taphouse food truck, providing mouth watering barbeque in a beautiful lakeside setting. 

6:00-7:00 PM   – FREE EVENT

Gathering with friends, family, and theater patrons prior to the show for a lively and interactive discussion. These events help us get closer to the theatrical traditions, techniques, and themes of the shows in the 2025 summer season. Prior to the evening’s production of Great Expectations, join a conversation with playwright Gale Childs Daly who adapted Dicken’s novel for the stage. In order to prepare for your visit, registration is required. Please call 920.854.7111 or email info@doorshakespeare.com.

7:30 PM Presents Great Expectations

Door Shakespeare celebrates their 30-year anniversary performing in the historic Boynton Garden with the presentation of Charles Dickens鈥檚 , adapted for the stage by Gale Childs Daly. A life changing encounter launches Pip鈥檚 journey in Great Expectations, where he finds love, forgiveness, and redemption. For those who attend the Jazz Festival concert, a 50% discount will be offered for your performance. Inquire at the box office, call 920.854.7111, or email info@doorshakespeare.com for further information.

Detailed information:

More About the Door County Jazz Festival Musicians:

Cooper Luedtke is a student at 麻豆影院 University, working towards a Bachelor of Music degree with majors in Double Bass Performance and Music Education. His studies include performing, composing, and analyzing various musical styles alongside talented collaborators and respected instructors, while also learning to give back the quality education he has received through teaching. He has studied with Andrew Anderson, Mark Urness, Jos茅 Encarnaci贸n, Patty Darling, and Bill Carrothers. Cooper is inspired by the rich history of the musical traditions he studies, as well as by the communities and individuals that have stewarded and developed these traditions, and seeks to spread joy and curiosity through performing and advocating for the value of the fine arts in education.

Josu茅 R铆os L贸pez is a Mexican American musician from Dallas, Texas and a graduate from 麻豆影院 University with a Bachelor of Musical Arts with a cognate in creative writing. During his time at 麻豆影院 he participated in various academic ensembles under Patty Darling, Jean Carlos, Jose Encarnaci贸n, Bill Carrothers, Matt Turner, and Steve Peplin. In 2023, he won a DownBeat Award for his work with the 麻豆影院 University Jazz Band directed by Jose Encarnacion. Josue has been an integral part of the student-lead musical community participating in over a dozen successful on-campus acts over the last four years. While at 麻豆影院, he got to study and perform various styles of music including Jazz, Rock, RnB, Salsa, Mariachi, and Contemporary Improvisation. For the past two years he has been working at the Appleton Music Academy as a private instructor in guitar and piano and will continue to teach there for the following year. Over the last year Josue has recorded various projects with bands and artists like Noir, Lyle鈥檚 Tree, Roach, Miranda Lile, and his own work under the name Red Teddy. 

Quintin Wade Fernandez is a drummer, producer, and mixing engineer whose work flows across jazz, indie, R&B, and folk. Based between Appleton and the Menominee Reservation in Wisconsin, his musical journey began before memory鈥攔ooted in a deep love for rhythm and a calling to serve the music, the listeners, and the collaborators who bring it to life. At 22, Quintin holds a dynamic career that spans national and international touring, his path has taken him from concert halls and castles to living rooms and cultural institutions, including recent work with the Smithsonian. His recordings reflect a wide-ranging versatility, having contributed to projects in genres from jazz to post-hardcore to pocket based music, always with the same attention to feel, texture, and honesty. Whether behind the drum kit, at the mixing board, or helping artists find their voice in the studio, Quintin approaches each project with care, curiosity, and respect for the art of listening.

More About Gale Fury Childs Daly:

Gale Fury Childs Daly is a playwright, director, teacher, text coach, and actor, and is the author of Door Shakespeare鈥檚 production of Great Expectations. A graduate of the Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago (now DePaul University), Daly has worked at the Goodman Theatre, the Alley Theatre, the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival, the Great River Shakespeare Festival, and the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, among others. Join Ms. Daly this evening for a conversation about her adaptation of Great Expectations.

Great Expectations Synopsis:

Pip, a young orphan living in the marshlands of Kent, is raised by his stern sister and her kind-hearted husband Joe, the village blacksmith. Life is simple and predictable鈥攗ntil one day, in the quiet of the churchyard, Pip is confronted by a terrifying escaped convict. Though the incident fades into his past, Pip鈥檚 secret act of helping the man lingers in his life for years to come.

Not long after this encounter, Pip is summoned to the decaying estate of the wealthy and reclusive Miss Havisham. At Satis House, he meets Miss Havisham鈥檚 beautiful but distant adopted daughter, Estella, and his desire for something more is ignited. Pip grows increasingly ashamed of his humble background and hopes to become a gentleman. 

Years later, when a mysterious benefactor offers Pip the opportunity to move to London to receive an education, he believes his grand future is finally unfolding. With the guidance of the formidable lawyer Mr. Jaggers, his accountant, Mr. Wopsle, tutor Matthew Pocket, and the steady friendship of Pocket鈥檚 son Herbert, Pip enters a world of refinement far greater than he ever expected. 

But as he rises in society, Pip discovers that his success is built on uneasy ground. The truth about his benefactor forces Pip to reckon with the assumptions, ambitions, and affections that have guided his path. When Pip鈥檚 social standing is threatened because of his benefactor鈥檚 past, he leans on Herbert and Mr. Wopsle to help secure his benefactor鈥檚 safety and his own. As secrets unravel, Pip confronts the complex web of identities, loyalties, and betrayals that bind him to Estella, Miss Havisham, and a past he can no longer ignore. 

Told through the lens of Pip鈥檚 memory, Great Expectations is a richly woven tale of aspiration and ultimately redemption. Dickens asks us to consider: what truly defines a life well lived?

Pencils scratch, heads nod with enlightened looks, conversations flare, and friendships rekindle in the seminar rooms at the majestic Bj枚rklunden lodge. Our 2025 season at this sanctuary of peace and contemplation kicked off appropriately with Tim Crain鈥檚聽From Conflict to Peace: Northern Ireland, Great Britain, and Ireland, Past and Present providing a powerful example of how peace can be won out of seemingly intractable conflict. Relena Ribbons鈥櫬�Adventures in Forests in Time took nature enthusiasts and advocates into the woods to peer beyond the present, into the past, and toward possible futures for these beloved and verdant environments. Nikolas Hoel鈥檚聽Saints and Sinners in the Middle Ages聽made the medieval past relatable by surfacing complex moral questions that vex people then and now.听

Satisfy your passion for learning and book your vacation with purpose today at聽!