The Colorado Trip class is an elective summer course/trip offered to 8th grade students who complete the school year in good standing.  Students meet for a classroom session in April/May and then participate in a fourteen-day sightseeing and backpacking trip to Colorado in early July.  Those who complete the classroom experience are able to earn one high school Physical Education credit.

The trip portion of the course includes visits to Colorado Springs (Garden of the Gods), Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Telluride, the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area, the Ouray Hot Springs & whitewater rafting.  Students tent camp along the way, sharing a tent and camping equipment with a partner they have selected from the group.  The trip culminates in a four-day wilderness experience during which students hike (both with and without packs), explore and put into practice the wilderness skills they have learned in the classroom.  These students will also hike summit Mt. Sneffels (elev. 14,150ft) and stay the night in the mountains.  A high level of physical fitness, excellent teamwork skills and the ability to follow directions are three criteria for participating in this adventure.

To participate in the course, interested students must apply in the spring.  The process includes an application form that the student completes and three recommendations from teachers and other adults who can vouch for the student’s academic, physical and social skills.  A maximum of 20 students are then selected from the applications.  Those who are not accepted initially are placed on a waiting list and invited to join should any of the initial 20 opt out of the course.

View the Course Syllabus

Timeframe:
Application Process:  February/March
Parent Meeting: After Spring Break
3 Saturday classroom sessions: April/May
14 day Trip: Early July (right after the 4th)