Outdoor learning adventures ‘create relationships for the rest of the year’
By Amy M. Peters Telluride Daily Planet Contributor
Telluride Mountain School (TMS) completed its 26th round of outdoor education trips this fall, honoring its founders’ commitment to experiential learning.
Each fall, students in grades 1-12 travel to locations across the Four Corners region, building relationships among students and faculty and enriching class curriculum with context and connection for learning.
“These trips create authentic living and learning experiences for students,” said TMS Head of School Andy Shoff. “After these trips, TMS students have a profound sense of place in the Four Corners region and a commitment to save it, share it and care for it for generations to come.”
During the first week of school, 12 first and second graders hiked the Keystone Gorge to learn about the local ecosystem. A few weeks later, they traveled to Camel Valley Ranch in Ridgway to learn about local farming. Students asked questions and drew conclusions about animals and crops grown for food and subsequently built interview questions for vendors at the Telluride Farmers Market.
“We learn about each other on different levels than in the classroom and see parts of students that shine in the outdoors,” said first/second grade teacher and Lower School Director Tiffany Lyga. “We thrive on the relationships built outside of the classroom and are lucky to have these opportunities to watch students shine in another light.”
On their first full-immersion trip, 13 third and fourth graders hiked three miles to High Camp Hut near Lizard Head Pass.
“I was surprised at how eager students were to get off the grid for a few days and how well they responded to High Camp Hut’s isolation,” recounted new TMS third/fourth grade teacher Will Clark. “It challenged students to work hard to reach our destination which made the arrival a celebration.”
While at High Camp, students spent time building bunkers, writing, watercolor painting, engaging in compass-making activities, and helping to prepare dinner before building campfires for s’mores and fireside discussions about gratitude.
Prior to departure in late September for a 45-mile canoe expedition down the Green River in Labyrinth Canyon, Utah, 14 fifth and sixth graders learned about the history and geology of the area by studying maps and charting the expedition. They camped in Goose Island Campground in Moab before launching in Ruby Ranch for the five-day trip where students developed not only an understanding of ecology and paddling skills, but also gained a sense of teamwork as they averaged nearly 12 miles of paddling a day while filling journals with reflections, sketches, and stories.
“These kids were happy and had positive outlooks even when the going got tough,” said Lower School math teacher Brittany Perrot.
Seventh and eighth graders headed to southeast Utah, facing record heat as they descended Dark Canyon, but reveling in the clear, running creek at the canyon’s base. Students learned wilderness first aid, studied the history of Bear Ears’ National Monument and the human inhabitants in Southeast Utah, and read works by iconic desert writers Terry Tempest Williams and Edward Abbey, all while learning essential camp skills like packing, camp hygiene, water purification, and stove use.
“Students build connections with each other and with the teachers, relationships that fundamentally change the way we teach,” explained Upper School humanities teacher and Outdoor Education Coordinator Emily Shoff.
"These trips are magic,” added Upper School math teacher Angela Sprackling, who helped lead the trip. “You get to know the students for who they are outside of the classroom. It creates relationships for the rest of the year.”
“This was a place where the world around us just stopped, nothing mattered, all you were focused on was the present, and I think that was the most beautiful thing about it,” wrote seventh grader Arenal Kuzmich.
Seventh grader Colin Cabrera wrote, “Getting to the top of the scree field was one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt – like I just climbed to the top of Mount Everest.” Seventh grader Harry Manno reflected, “I feel I can be myself and express myself, and people can see the real me.”
Seven high school students spent several days paddling the Stillwater section of the Green River in Utah, a first-time trip for TMS, offering students the opportunity to take ownership of navigation, the daily itinerary, cooking, and canoeing pace while exploring various canyons. Students also participated in daily journaling and engaged in lessons on communication, leadership, and goal setting as they accessed ancestral Puebloan ruins.
“We selected this new trip because it offers students the ability to take greater ownership over the expedition,” explained Upper School science teacher and Director of Upper School Emily Durkin. “Which allowed students to exercise greater leadership, decision making, problem solving, and communication.”
“Now I get why TMS does these trips,” concluded tenth grader Seven Tudor in her first year at TMS. “After you spend time outside together, you know your teachers in a new way. And they know you.”