Outdoor Education
The Outdoor Education Program for Adams 12 Five Star Schools meets several district and statewide standards in a setting most natural for them to be taught. The Resident Outdoor Education Program for sixth grade students is perfect for integrating several subjects while tapping into the student's natural sense of wonder and desire for adventure. Our program is designed to focus on both the natural history and lifelong skills necessary to safely participate in recreational activities found in Colorado.
Surveys
Mission Statement
The Outdoor Education Program provides all Sixth grade students the opportunity to experientially learn in an outdoor setting the concepts, skills and behaviors that correspond to classroom goals and District standards.
We hope our students learn basic knowledge in such areas as map and compass reading, survival skills, and astronomy. In addition to the basic knowledge, Outdoor Education aims at developing:
Personal responsibility - Positive group interaction
- Critical thinking skills
- Respect for others and the environment
- Healthy outdoor interests
- Long and short term goal development
The Importance of Outdoor Education
Throughout the school year, all sixth grade students are given the opportunity to study our natural world and use the environment to enrich their traditional subject matter. Much time is spent in the classroom in preparation for this experience. Students are given personal handbooks to fill out during the course of their experience, regarding what they have learned and done.
The Outdoor Education experience offers a GREAT way to take advantage of helping students transfer what they learn in the classroom into a "real world" setting. It can act as both a foundation for future studies, and as the capstone of much learning that has already taken place in the classroom.
In addition to hard skills students will learn, the experience will also help them to interact with each other in a positive way that will build self-esteem and encourage teamwork to reach common goals. New horizons are often found here as the students arrive and realize that Mom and Dad won't always be available to give instruction and encouragement. During the resident Outdoor Education Program we expect students to rise to the occasion and make responsible decisions and accept consequences of poor ones. All students are closely supervised to provide a safe and educational experience.
Who gains something from Outdoor Education?
Every sixth grade student is encouraged to attend the resident program where they can learn the values of teamwork, preparation, safety consciousness, goal setting, self confidence, and enthusiasm.
High School Students who perform the role as "High School Leader" are given opportunities to further develop communication, planning and evaluation skills, leadership qualities and a focus on following through with personal responsibilities.
Teachers in the sixth grade are given a platform for introduction, research & experience, and follow up on content standards that will tie directly into their resident outdoor education experience. It is our hope that families also benefit from their son or daughter's experience. By allowing students to accept greater responsibility for their own actions, experiencing some autonomy, and developing skills in teamwork, we believe families will be strengthened.