Riverstone Blog » Outdoor Education http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog Musing from the Head of the School Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:53:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Geology of Landforms http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/the-geology-of-landforms/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/the-geology-of-landforms/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:39:31 +0000 ris_blog http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=4107 Recently, our Grade 4 students went to the Foothills Learning Center to continue their studies of the geology of landforms. They spent an hour in the classroom experimenting with sedimentary and igneous rocks, then hit the trails to find Old Lake Idaho, or at least the traces of what used to be a gigantic lake here in southern Idaho. Thanks to Carolyn Volk and the two BSU grad students, Emerald and Bryant, who led us on this informative and fun field trip!

To learn more about the Foothills Learning Center, visit the Boise Environmental Education website.

]]> http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/the-geology-of-landforms/feed/ 0 Grades 4 & 5 at McCall Outdoor Science School http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/grades-4-5-at-mccall-outdoor-science-school/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/grades-4-5-at-mccall-outdoor-science-school/#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:11:55 +0000 ris_blog http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=3791 Students in Grades 4 & 5 are at the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) this week. Grade 4 students are experiencing MOSS’ “Geology Rocks!” and “Go With the Flow” modules, which are taught in conjunction with their Riverstone “How the World Works – Ever Changing Earth” transdisciplinary PYP unit. Grade 5 students are exploring MOSS’ “Exploring Ecosystems” and “Awesome Adaptations” modules which will enhance their Riverstone “Sharing the Planet – Survivor Island” PYP transdisciplinary unit.

Students are also designing and conduct their own field ecology “Capstone Project” that will tie their experiences together.

We can’t wait to hear of their adventures! In the meantime, enjoy the photos of our Grade 4 students: everything from searching for macro-invertebrates to checking out bear scratches on a tree to Ms. Fitz telling ghost stories to classroom time! And…a favorite tradition of all MOSS trips…the discovery of bear scat!

Thanks to Heather Webster for sharing! And thanks to MOSS for hosting our students this week.

]]> http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/grades-4-5-at-mccall-outdoor-science-school/feed/ 0 Fly Fishing Fall Trip http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/fly-fishing-fall-trip/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/fly-fishing-fall-trip/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:59:37 +0000 ris_blog http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=3321 Another inaugural Fall Trip gave fly fishing aficionados a chance to spend time in the Dagger Falls area along the upper end of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Trip leader Jim Harper reported that it was a “great trip with lots of flies lost in willows along the bank. We caught Native Cutthroat Wild Rainbow and Salmon smolt.”

Thanks to Idaho Angler for supplying some of the gear! Check out their website.

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]]> http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/fly-fishing-fall-trip/feed/ 0 Yoga in the Sawtooths http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/yoga-in-the-sawtooths/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/yoga-in-the-sawtooths/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 01:42:13 +0000 admin http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=3273 Riverstone’s inaugural yoga trip was a great success! Eleven students from grades 7-12 traveled to Stanley with our High School English (and yoga!) teacher, Gretchen Arguedas. The students spent time practicing yoga, hiking, playing outside, and camping with unobstructed views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Yoga classes covered basic fundamental postures, breathing exercises, stress management techniques, and even some more advanced postures like headstands and arm balances.

Here are a few quotes from the participants:

“I felt rejuvenated after the trip.”

“I really enjoyed combining outdoor education with an activity I am interested in.”

“My favorite part was going upside-down and doing headstands!”

If you’re interested in taking yoga classes from Gretchen outside of school, check out her teaching schedule at Sage Yoga and Wellness.

]]> http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/yoga-in-the-sawtooths/feed/ 0 Bench Lakes 2011 http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/bench-lakes-2011/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/bench-lakes-2011/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:44:05 +0000 admin http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=3233 The weather and scenery for the Fall Trips was spectacular. While other groups headed off to their destinations, our group of ten strapped on our packs at Redfish Lake and made our way into the Sawtooth Mountains. We basked in the sunshine and admired the views of Redfish as we wound our way up the rocky trail. After a couple of hours, we were rewarded with the beautiful blue-green of the first of four lakes that make up the Bench Lakes. After much debate and several reviews of our map, we decided to camp at the second lake, where temperatures at night were chilly but stayed above the mid-20’s. There was more sunshine with a touch of wind during our day hike to the base of Mount Heyburn and the fourth lake. This lake was a stunning shade of deep blue and had patches of snow along the rim, making this single location perfect for a “refreshing” swim or a snowball fight. Both nights, we gathered on our log benches at camp, swapped stories, and reveled in the clear, star-filled night sky.

However, regardless of the vast number of stars that were overhead, it was the eight students in grades 7-12 and my co-leader were the true stars of this trip. When we arrived at the trailhead, the kids divided group supplies like tents, cook stoves, food, and water filters. After an hour or so on the trail, they willingly re-distributed the weight as needed, and the faster hikers kept those of us bringing up the rear in sight. The kids took turns preparing dinners and cleaning the dirty pots afterward, hung out together, laughed about the rain and snow during the infamous Fall Trip of 2010, and offered a hand to each other when needed. They scrambled up rock fields, crossed streams, and cheered for our first student brave enough to dive into the icy waters of an alpine lake. Alex, my co-leader, offered guidance and outdoor expertise, made sure we were all safe, and set the tone for a fantastic trip.

Throughout the three days, Alex and I would find ourselves smiling as we watched the camaraderie develop between the students whose interests and backgrounds were quite varied. These friendships and shared experiences will carry into the classrooms and contribute to our unique Riverstone community. Whether they are on an outdoor trip figuring out how to cross a stream safely or inside the classroom analyzing the results of their scientific experiments, in the words of our new Head of School, Bob Carignan, “our students are becoming the young adults that they are meant to be.”

I can’t imagine it any other way.

]]> http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/bench-lakes-2011/feed/ 0 Fall Trips for Middle and High School Underway http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/fall-trips-for-middle-and-high-school-underway/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/fall-trips-for-middle-and-high-school-underway/#comments Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:39:59 +0000 admin http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=3223 Thanks to a hard-working crew of dedicated staff members led by Ben Brock, our students in Grades 7 – 12 hit the road this morning for the annual three day backpacking trips in which groups head to lakes in the Sawtooth, White Cloud, and Salmon River Mountains.

Whether the kids and adults are rafting or backpacking, there are wonderful benefits of these outdoor adventure:

* First hand experience with outdoor ethics associated with Leave No Trace
* Boosts in self-confidence gained from overcoming challenges of paddling white water rapids, crossing a log bridge, or carrying a backpack for more miles than thought possible
* Experiencing teamwork as a result of sharing the responsibilities of cooking, carrying group supplies, paddling through rapids, and encouraging classmates
* Building community across grade levels, amongst staff, and amongst parents.

All of this enhances their daily classroom setting in which students support each other, are comfortable learning alongside and working with classmates, and take risks while learning.

This year, students were given the option to choose a traditional trip format or a themed trip. The themed trips include practicing yoga, mountain biking, “the long walk” in which the groups will follow a looping route and travel 20-25 miles over the three days, and fly fishing. We will be sure to share feedback from the students and leaders on these new type of trips.

Our Grade 6 Fall trip will be taking place Sept 12-16 in which they will travel to Yellowstone National Park. Their trip, which was moved to the fall last year in order to allow for better access to scientific inquiry and better weather at Yellowstone than in the spring, relates to their classroom curriculum. We look forward to sharing more about the trips soon – stay tuned!

]]> http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/fall-trips-for-middle-and-high-school-underway/feed/ 0 Preschool Students Take to the River http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/preschoolers-take-to-the-river/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/preschoolers-take-to-the-river/#comments Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:53:33 +0000 ris_blog http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=3212 From all accounts, Riverstone’s first Preschool river rafting trip was a huge success! Thanks again to Cascade Raft and Kayak for taking such good care of our students, teachers, and families!

]]> http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/preschoolers-take-to-the-river/feed/ 0 Kindergarten through Grade 2 Rafting Trip http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/kindergarten-through-grade-2-rafting-trip/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/kindergarten-through-grade-2-rafting-trip/#comments Sun, 28 Aug 2011 16:25:09 +0000 ris_blog http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=3188 Thanks to Heather Webster for sharing photos from the Kindergarten through Grade 2 rafting trip on Friday! And special thanks to Cascade Raft and Kayak for taking such good care of our students and families.

Check back Tuesday for photos of our youngest students, the Preschool class, as they start their own tradition of rafting.

]]> http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/kindergarten-through-grade-2-rafting-trip/feed/ 0 Grades 3 – 5 on Back to School Raft Trip http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/grades-3-5-on-back-to-school-raft-trip/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/grades-3-5-on-back-to-school-raft-trip/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 21:10:27 +0000 ris_blog http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=3166 Riverstone’s oldest outdoor education tradition, rafting the Payette River, is taking place today. Students in Grades 3-5, parents, and teachers are floating under the care of Cascade Raft and Kayak Company, with whom Riverstone has partnered since our float trip tradition began. Riverstone alumnus, Andrew R., is a crew member for the rafting company (he heads to college soon) and several older Riverstone students with extensive river experience are helping as well. The trip takes place on the upper section of the Main Payette River, which has several exciting Class III rapids and plenty of opportunities for swimming and playing in the water. Cascade’s guides will ensure that everyone has a safe and fun experience, and parents can be assured that the trip is age-appropriate.

Kindergarten through Grade 2 will raft tomorrow. Our youngest students in Preschool will also take the first Preschool raft trip ever from Riverstone next week!

Thanks to PYP Coordinator, Kari Boazman, for taking advantage of technology and emailing pictures back to the school so we can watch the fun from a distance!

]]> http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/grades-3-5-on-back-to-school-raft-trip/feed/ 0 Wildnerness First Aid Training http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/wildnerness-first-aid-training/ http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/wildnerness-first-aid-training/#comments Sat, 20 Aug 2011 02:41:11 +0000 ris_blog http://www.riverstoneschool.org/blog/?p=3114 Ben Brock, Riverstone’s Outdoor Education Program Coordinator, is responsible for the successful outcome of all of Riverstone’s outdoor adventures, whether they are short half day rafting trips, two nights of snow cave camping, or five day backpacking trips through Hells Canyon. Not an easy job. The logistics of planning Riverstone’s outdoor trips involves evaluating everything from transportation, weather conditions, terrain, food, students’ health, students’ equipment, group assignments, and more. But the most important aspect of our outdoor education is ensuring the safety of all involved. Should a situation arise that requires medical attention, we need to know that trip leaders are prepared.

To that point, earlier this week, Ben arranged for sixteen staff members to spend two days on Wilderness First Aid training led by Experiential Adventures, LLC. Not only did the coursework include online computer testing but hands on simulations. Congratulations to our staff who passed their certifications and many thanks to Mat Erpelding from Experiential Adventures for making this tough course so enjoyable.

Without a doubt, we are sending our students outdoors with prepared leaders!

Mat has written about his training session with Riverstone on his blog at http://experientialadventures.com/blog/. Check it out!

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