Final field trip for sixth-grade students in Clear Creek County promises to be a memorable one with Mountain Youth Network picking up the tab for three days camping, hiking and rafting.
On May 20 many sixth-graders and their teachers from Carlson Elementary, King-Murphy and Georgetown Community schools will board a school bus not to class but rather the Angel of Shavano Group Campground near Salida.
“When snow starts to melt in the canyon above the camp site the remaining snow looks like an angel,” youth involvement coordinator Nico Guzman said.
Once there, the students will be divided into groups to set up camp, build a campfire and prepare dinner along with team building exercises organized by MYN.
As these students from three individual elementary schools prepare for the melting pot of middle school next school year MYN Youth Programs Coordinator Luci Perez said it’s important and ideal that they can get to know each other and possibly form bonds before becoming small fish in the large pond of middle and high school.
“This annual camping trip is designed to provide youth in Clear Creek County with outdoor education, adventure and alternatives as these students prepare to transition into middle school in August,” Perez said.
As a largely grant funded organization MYN states a mission that includes: “Implementing prevention science to support local youth in healthier choices and lifestyles,” which includes avoiding drugs, according to Guzman.
“Outdoor skills; preparing meals, setting up shelter and teaching to overcome everyday challenges through outdoor education can be used through-out life with building a greater sense of self confidence,” Guzman said.
Day two of the trip includes a half-day of white water rafting with Independent White Water where the students will experience up to Class-3 rapids on the Arkansas River followed by dinner at the rafting outfit, according to the group itinerary.
Well known local outdoor survival specialist Roary Archibald will also join the group, according to organizers, to provide kids with the basics of outdoor survival skills including; building shelter, starting fire and finding food and water.
The transportation, food, camping and rafting are all offered free of charge to local sixth-graders through MYN use of grants received from several public entities, according to Guzman.
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) and Communities that Care are just two organizations using ongoing funding from the marijuana tax cash fund for youth substance abuse prevention, according to information provided by the state.
Day three of the outing will include breakfast, reflection and striking camp in preparation of boarding school buses again to arrive in time for normal release from the three schools.
Organizers say there are still slots available for parents and students to sign-up for the trip.
More information about signing up for the execution and what supplies and equipment students will be expected to bring can be found at hisawyer.com or by contacting MYN.
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