Last November, the Wily Pack came together for Fall Community Day—an annual tradition that creates space for connection, rest, and community during one of the busiest stretches of the academic year. With midterms behind them and final exams on the horizon, Wily Scholars and staff gathered to pause, recharge, and strengthen the relationships that make the Pack so meaningful.
Community Day holds a special place on the Wily calendar. It’s one of the few moments each semester when Scholars and staff from across programs can step away from day-to-day responsibilities and simply be together. This fall, the day was made even more special by the introduction of Executive Director Kenn Elmore, who spent invaluable time meeting with Scholars and engaging with the Wily Pack—his first since joining Wily.
"I'd definitely say one of the things I loved about Wily so much was the Community Days that Wily would hold, where not just people from my school who were in the program, but people from the greater Boston area would all get together and be able to chat about their experiences or just have a casual conversation, knowing that you face similar hardships. I think it's a really strong bonding connection. And to be given the space to do that regularly really made me feel at home"
The afternoon was filled with joyful activities designed to help everyone unwind. Scholars and staff rotated through arts and crafts, puzzles, musical chairs, board games, and card games—simple moments that invited laughter, creativity, and connection. Icebreaker activities helped introduce team members and Scholars who may not often cross paths, reinforcing a sense of belonging and shared identity within the Pack.
Beyond the fun, Fall Community Day offered something deeper: a chance to unplug during what can be an overwhelming time of the semester. For many Scholars, the day provided rare breathing room—an opportunity to relax, build peer relationships, and connect with staff outside of structured meetings or academic conversations. These informal interactions are essential to how Wily builds trust, support, and community.
Community Day takes place each fall and spring, bookending the academic year with moments of togetherness that remind Scholars they are not navigating their journeys alone. Through these gatherings—and through everyday acts of care throughout the year—the Wily Pack continues to grow stronger.
To learn more about the significance of Community Day and how Wily Scholars and staff build the Pack year-round, read more here.
