CURRICULUM
Elementary School
In the Elementary outdoor program students increase their appreciation for nature, explore local habitats, and build group cooperation through team building games. Students also begin to learn and practice the basic outdoor skills they will need for future trips. In the early years, trips are primarily day-long. Students embark on their first overnight in the Fourth grade. Elementary outdoor activities take place each season with each grade. Several in-class pre- and post-trip activities are planned as well.
 
Middle School
The Middle School trips focus on integration of the classroom and outdoors, self-esteem, group problem solving and decision-making, self care, and outdoor skill building. Trips become longer, more wilderness based and more challenging.  Attendance on trips is a requirement in grades six through twelve. It’s also recommended that seventh and eighth grade students attend one weekend trip per year. 6th graders are required to attend one weekend in their 6th grade year. All students’ grades six through twelve participate in our Fall Campout during the second week of school.

Sixth Grade
Fall The fall trip visits the City of Rocks for three days of team building, rock climbing, hiking and a service project.
Winter The two-day winter trip focuses on Nordic skiing, team building and winter self care.
Spring The six-day spring trip travels to Red Rocks, Nevada, for more team building, rock climbing, hiking.  

Seventh Grade
Fall The five day seventh grade fall trip explores the plight of the salmon. Students investigate salmon migration in the classroom then embark to actually experience it. The trip involves whitewater rafting, swimming like smolts in the Salmon River and visiting the lower Granite dam.  
Winter The three day winter trip to Camp Perkins in the Sawtooth Mountains introduces students to winter safety, winter camping skills, first aid, and self care.
Spring The five day spring trip visits Southern Idaho to canoe, bike, and explore the Bruneau Dunes.

Eighth Grade
Fall The seven day fall trip is part of an integrated unit exploring climate change and sustainability. The trip travels to Glacier National Park to explore vanishing glaciers. Students backpack for three days as well as visiting Grinnell glacier with climate researchers.  The trip also focuses on camping and traveling in more sustainable ways. 
Winter The three day eighth grade winter trip to the Smokey and Boulder mountains focuses on avalanche safety skills. 
Spring In the spring students spend 6 days backpacking Grand Gulch as part of a fully integrated unit on Anasazi culture and desert ecology

Middle School Weekend Trips
These popular weekend trips provide students with the opportunity to raft, rock climb, mountain bike ski and experience being homeless in an urban environment.    

Upper School
In the Upper School the outdoor program continues with wilderness skill development, offers more remote and challenging trips and emphasizes building leadership and teamwork skills.  Independence is also a key objective.  Trips continue to be a requirement, and makeup trips are scheduled to accommodate students who miss class excursions.

Ninth Grade 
Fall  Ninth grade begins with a six-day whitewater trip on the Main Salmon River.  The objectives of the trip are to teach river skills and to provide a bonding experience for the class.
Winter The three day ninth grade winter trip introduces students to winter camping and continues their avalanche safety education.
Spring  In the spring freshman go to Harriman State Park near Yellowstone for a week of birding.

Tenth Grade
Fall The seven day tenth grade fall trip backpacking on the Washington Coastline exposes students to a unique wilderness coast and an “ancient forest” habitat.
Winter In winter, students embark on their most challenging winter trip a three-day backcountry ski trip. 
Spring In the spring students travel to Ashland, Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival

Eleventh Grade
Fall The four day fall trip sends juniors on a Sawtooth Adventure that involves climbing, hiking, and biking. 
Winter For their winter trip juniors can choose between backcountry skiing or boarding from a Yurt or Nordic skiing on the Harriman trail.
Spring In the spring students embark on challenging and unique trip.  Students immerse themselves in the work of Edward Abbey and Thoreau in the classroom and then participate in a 48 hour solo in the Southern Utah desert to experience solitude first hand.  The solo is a formative trip for many.

Twelfth Grade
Fall  Seniors visit colleges
Winter For their winter trip seniors can choose between backcountry skiing or boarding from a Yurt or Nordic skiing on the Harriman trail.
Spring Seniors culminate their Community School experience with the two-week senior quest. The quest is based out of Southern Utah and combines a seven-day wilderness experience with three days of whole class activities.