Upper School

Salmon River Trip

The fall 9th grade fall trip begins with a seven-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.

Intro to Backcountry Travel + Winter Camping
Students will travel on snowshoes, nordic, or backcountry skis up Anderson Creek in the Smoky Mountains north of Ketchum. We will build snow shelters, build winter kitchens, and explore the slopes around Boulder Yurt. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to focus on navigation, winter travel, and emergency response in a winter mountain environment Tuesday preceding the three-day expedition, students will work with trip staff to prepare snow shelter piles, plan and buy food, organize equipment, and learn about winter camping systems.

The 9th grade class travels to Salt Lake City, Utah for a service learning trip. During this trip, students have the opportunity to work on various projects to support the greater SLC community.

The seven-day tenth grade fall trip backpacking on the Washington Coastline exposes students to a unique wilderness coast and an “ancient forest” habitat. The Coast Trip is one of the most rugged and remote wilderness trips we do in the Outdoor Program. The trip is 7 days long with two days of travel and 5 days of backpacking. The class breaks into four groups for the five day backpacking expedition. Each group traverses about 20-25 miles of wilderness coastline. The North section is from Ozette to Rialto Beach and the Southern section is from Third Beach to Oil City. The Northern section is a little longer and rockier while the Southern section features longer sections through old growth forest and more ladders. Objectives for this trip:

• Introduce students to a beautiful and vanishing coastal environment
• Learn about the natural history and ancient cultures unique to the area
• Make connection between the coastal experience and the central themes of David James Duncan's "The River Why"
• Learn how to prepare for and camp well in challenging weather conditions
• Learn navigation and route planning using a map and tide chart

Backcountry Skiing + Winter Camping
In the 10th grade, students will have the opportunity to explore backcountry skiing and winter camping during their trip to Galena Summit. Students will travel on backcountry skis to a set location high in the mountains. Once they arrive at the campsite, students will construct a full “expedition style” winter camp that includes: shelters, kitchens, and sitting areas. Groups will ski tour on ridges, bowls, and slopes around the high camp on Galena Summit during the daylight hours, practicing their avalanche safety skills, route planning and snow stability analysis. Tuesday preceding the three-day expedition, students will work with trip staff to build snow shelters, plan and buy food, organize gear, and learn about winter camping systems.   

Students and two teachers will fly to L.A. and spend five days visiting colleges in the Los Angeles area. We will visit a variety of types of schools, from small, liberal arts schools to large, public universities. Visits will include student-led tours and information sessions with admissions representatives. In all, we will visit five to six schools. The final itinerary will be solidified once the group is set, but possible stops include: Cal Poly SLO, UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, USC, Pomona, Pitzer, Chapman, Loyola Marymount, and Occidental. Juniors will have priority for this trip.
 

This trip will start with a three day Model United Nations (MUN) Conference in Washington, D.C. You will need to participate in the conference as well as attend MUN meetings in advance of the conference so you are prepared to be a delegate. 

After the conference the trip will  remain in D.C, and tour for 2-3 days with a focus on the Civil War period in U.S. History. In addition to visiting sites and museums within D.C, the plan is to go out to Antietam National Battlefield, Fredericksburg, VA, and other significant sites. 

Students will embark on a five-night and four-day service learning trip to work with the homeless population of Portland, Oregon. Our time in Portland will be spent with an organization called Because People Matter. The “Transformation Trip” with Because People Matter offers students the chance to “peel back layers of stereotypes, judgements, and fear as we build relationships with some of Portland’s most marginalized populations and delve into a series of interactive learning activities that are designed to break down the barriers between us, teach radical love, and inspire intentional living. Afterwards, teams RETURN home and RESPOND creatively to the unique cry of their own city.” Community School students will have the opportunity to work first hand with people living in situations very different from their own. They will partake in city observation walks, hand out food to people on the streets, provide food and other services on “Night Strike” under the Burnside Bridge, and participate in service projects around the city.

*Up to 40 student-athletes; for SVSA student-athletes only

Academic support, with a focus on math and science will be offered daily for student-athletes to catch up on schoolwork during their busy travel season. SVSA athletes have the option to miss their competition-related travel and opt to participate in a winter trip option. However, SVSA athletes who do not want to miss competition and need time to catch up on their school work, this option affords them the opportunity to do so with faculty members on campus. 

The 10th grade class journeys to Red Rocks National Conservation Area for four days of rock climbing and day hiking. Rock climbing takes trust and teamwork. Objectives for this trip:

• Teach and practice rock climbing skills expanding on their work as 6th graders
• Through rock climbing, hiking, and camping together, build class unity, trust, and teamwork
• Explore and learn about the natural history of the area and the dichotomy of conservation and development in the desert southwest
• Have fun!

Sawtooth Adventure

This five-day fall trip sends juniors out to explore our local Sawtooth and Boulder White Cloud Wilderness. This adventure that involves backpacking, a service project, and a solo experience.

For their winter trip, juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to choose between backcountry skiing/boarding, or Nordic skiing on the Harriman trail. Each day trip will focus on skill development and intensive field time. 

Students will spend the week in New York City going to museums (MOMA, The Met, etc.), seeing a show (possibly two, one would be Off-Broadway) and visiting some of the colleges that focus on the creative arts in the city (Pace, The New School, FIT). A visit with CS Alumni who are focusing on the creative arts either in college or as a career may be arranged when we go look at one of the colleges. 

 SVSA student-athletes only

Academic support, with a focus on math and science will be offered daily for student-athletes to catch up on schoolwork during their busy travel season. SVSA athletes have the option to miss their competition-related travel and opt to participate in a winter trip option. However, SVSA athletes who do not want to miss competition and need time to catch up on their school work, this option affords them the opportunity to do so with faculty members on campus. 

*In order to accommodate the size of our junior class, Solo functions in two waves, each with its own unique departure and return date. 

In the spring the eleventh grade students embark on challenging and unique trip. Students immerse in a supported 48 hour solo in the Southern Utah desert to experience solitude first hand. The solo is a formative trip for many.

For their winter trip, juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to choose between backcountry skiing/boarding, or Nordic skiing on the Harriman trail. Each day trip will focus on skill development and intensive field time.

The Youth Purpose Summit is a 3-day virtual journey that creates a space for students to explore their natural gifts, share stories, listen deeply, reflect, and ultimately set action goals as they build a “Purpose Map.” Along the way, students hear from purpose-driven alumni from their own school and understand how inspirational leaders connect with purpose in order to increase impact. Students will meet in person at school and participate in this virtual experience.

 SVSA student-athletes only

Academic support, with a focus on math and science will be offered daily for student-athletes to catch up on schoolwork during their busy travel season. SVSA athletes have the option to miss their competition-related travel and opt to participate in a winter trip option. However, SVSA athletes who do not want to miss competition and need time to catch up on their school work, this option affords them the opportunity to do so with faculty members on campus. 

Seniors culminate their Community School experience with the 10-day Senior Quest. The quest is based out of Southern Utah and combines a six-day wilderness experience with three days of whole class activities.