5th Grade Outdoor Education Experiences

Arches National Park

5th-grade students at Aspen Middle School spend three nights at the group sites in Arches National Park.  The focus is on camp craft, self-management, independence, collaboration, reflection, and learning about subject matter connected to state standards while increasing hiking stamina (6-10 miles per day), perseverance, and camping in Arches National Park.

Objectives

Academic: Erosion and Weathering, Land forms, Desert Animal and Plant Adaptations, mathematical concepts related to travel expenses 

Physical: Hiking

Social-Emotional: Teamwork 

ODE Skills: Put up a tent, cook meals, prepare lunch and daily water supply, dress appropriately 

Overall: Preparing students to develop an appreciation and respect for the outdoors as well as learn to be independent in the wilderness.

Skier Safety Day

Students ski with Snowmass Ski Patrol in small groups to learn from experts on decision-making, avalanche avoidance, rescue demonstrations, and how and when to call for help.  In addition, ACES staff will snowshoe with non-skiers and provide a winter wildlife lesson at the Elk Camp Wildlife Station.Objectives 1.  Students will connect to lessons conducted regarding wildlife, responsible use of natural resources.2.  Students will learn and follow the skier safety responsibility code.3.  Students will practice the buddy system.4.  Students will demonstrate personal responsibility by wearing proper outdoor attire, and attending to hydration, food, and sun protection.

6th Grade Outdoor Education Experiences

10th Mtn Division Hut Trip - Telemark\ The Aspen Middle School sixth grade uses the local Aspen environment as a venue for our cross-country skiing program. These activities allow students to develop an appreciation for our winter environment, prepare for current and future outdoor experiences, build self-confidence, demonstrate leadership and responsibility, and participate in a cooperative team.Classes spend two night at the huts.  Focus is on cabincraft, self management, independence, collaboration, reflection, and learning about winter ecology in the Rockies, history of the huts, backcountry telemark and snow skill development, perseverance, and increasing backpacking stamina (2-3 mile skin with heavy pack).  Prior to the hut trip, students spend 5 days during school hours developing their telemark skills, orienteering and route selection, increasing stamina, and safe practices in the backcountry.

Tree Planting on Independence Pass Students partner with the Independence Pass Foundation in a service project to plant trees with the intention of preventing erosion, replacing diseased trees, and understanding how humans impact the earth around them. Students must demonstrate teamwork and perseverance to dig holes in the Rocky Mountains, and demonstrate personal responsibility and self-care through clothing layering, hydration, nutrition, and an awareness of nearby vehicular traffic.

7th Grade Outdoor Education Experiences

Colorado River Rafting

Each half of the grade spends a week rafting the Colorado River If the course is run in the spring, the section is Cisco to Take Out Beach (Utah desert country).  If the course is run in the fall, the section is Pumphouse to Catamount (Colorado mountains). Focus is on campcraft, self management, independence, collaboration, reflection, learning about water as a scarce resource, rafting and moving water skill development.Objectives1.  Students will learn and follow a logical swimming skills progression.2.  Students will demonstrate growth in rafting and paddling skills.3.  Students will demonstrate knowledge and growth of expedition behaviors and camping skills.4.  Students have direct experiences to assist in making connections to science, reading, and writing curriculums.5.  Students will reflect on their experience.

8th Grade Outdoor Education Experiences

Backpacking and Climbing in the Maroon Snowmass Wilderness

Students spend 3-4 nights backpacking in groups of 7-8 kids and two adults.  The focus is on showing a culminating competency of self-management, perseverance, independence, reflection, collaboration, camp craft, and hiking stamina (6-8 miles per day with a full pack).  At AVLT Marble Basecamp, the whole grade focuses on teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, campcraft, and stretching boundaries through new experiences in ground initiatives and high ropes activities.