Student Life

Weekends

Weekends at Westminster Time for Fun, Friends, and Fellowship

Weekends at Westminster are an extension of the educational experience—filled with opportunities to explore interests, build friendships, support classmates, serve others, and enjoy all that comes with living in a vibrant boarding school community.

Whether competing on the playing fields, performing on stage, attending a campus event, exploring New England, gathering with friends in a dorm, or participating in a cherished Westminster tradition, weekends offer students the freedom to choose how they engage with community life. Each weekend is different but reflects the same spirit of community, character, balance, involvement, and fun.

A Campus Alive with Activity

There is always something happening on Williams Hill. Whether a student wants an energetic evening with friends or a quieter opportunity to relax and recharge, there are venues and activities for everyone (and always lots of snacks). At Westminster, weekends are not simply time away from class—they are an essential part of how students grow, connect, and make the most of every day.

List of 2 items.

  • Annual Community Events

    • Opening Carnival
    • Third Form Day Student Sleepover
    • Blacklight Dance
    • Advisory Trivia
    • Faculty-Student Soccer
    • Sixth Form Haunted House
    • Halloween Dance
    • Powder Puff Football Game
    • Fall Play
    • Friendsgiving
    • Dorm competitions
    • Winter Formal
    • Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Holiday Party
    • New Year’s Skating Party
    • Valentine’s Day Dance
    • Winter Musical
    • Westy Royale
    • Yards for Yeardley
    • International Foodfest
    • Student Activities Committee (SAC) Weekend (inflatables, climbing wall, petting zoo, bungee trampoline, segways, capture the flag, concert, food trucks)
    • Student-Faculty Basketball
    • Spring Formal

  • A Sampling of Weekend Activities

    • Grillin’ N Chillin’
    • Fire pits and s'mores
    • Dorm Open Houses
    • Athletic contests
    • Food trucks
    • Coffeehouse performances
    • Movie screenings
    • Student-organized dances
    • Spikeball and Cornhole on the Baxter Lawn
    • Slip ’N Slides
    • Paddle Tennis
    • Open hockey and skating
    • Ping Pong
    • Knee Hockey
    • Open gym
    • 3v3 tournaments
    • Manhunt in Armour Academic Center
    • Pickleball
    • Holiday crafts
    • Baking
    • Slime and bracelet making

Exploring Beyond Campus

Part of what makes Westminster distinctive is its location. Set atop Williams Hill on more than 200 wooded acres, Westminster overlooks the Farmington Valley and the vibrant New England town of Simsbury, Connecticut—a community where students have room to explore, learn, and grow. Students are able to walk downtown after completing their school commitments; weekend activities often include van trips to nearby attractions; and there are occasional trips further afield.

List of 3 items.

  • Things to Do in Simsbury

    • Walk into town after class
    • Enjoy a coffee, tea, or cocoa at Starbucks
    • Grab a pizza, burrito, wings, wontons, sushi, burgers, a smoothie, tenders, sandwich, or ice cream
    • Pick up groceries, snacks, and sundries
    • Get your hair cut or nails done
    • Shop for a card or gift
    • Stop by the public library
    • Enjoy a meal with family and friends

  • Nearby Options (Under 40 minutes away)

    • Westfarms Mall and The Shops at Farmington Valley
    • Whole Foods, Big Y, Trader Joe’s
    • Target, Walmart
    • West Hartford restaurants and Parkville Market
    • Simsbury Apple Cinemas
    • Bushnell Performing Arts Center
    • Escape rooms, mini golf, laser tag, ropes courses, and bowling
    • Wadsworth Atheneum
    • Mark Twain House and Stowe Center for Literary Activism
    • Ski Sundown
    • Professional sporting events at PeoplesBank Arena, Dunkin’ Park, and Trinity Health Stadium
    • Hiking at Talcott Mountain and West Mountain Trail
    • Canoeing and fly fishing
    • Apple picking
    • Fright Fest at Lake Compounce
    • The Big E

  • Further Afield (2.5 hours away)

    • Skiing at Stratton Mountain
    • Boston and New York City
Whether students stay on Williams Hill, walk into Simsbury, or venture farther afield, weekends offer the freedom to recharge, explore new interests, and strengthen the friendships that make Westminster feel like home.

Connect

995 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT 06070

Explore

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students

In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. 
© Copyright Westminster School | Privacy Policy
AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.