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Wood River Middle School Students Take Learning Outdoors
21 Wood River Middle School (WRMS) 8th grade students completed a camping, rock climbing and hiking trip at the City of Rocks in southern Idaho. All students learned rock climbing skills such as how to properly tie in to their harness, rock climbing communication cues, climbing techniques, and how to belay for one another. One student said, “The City of Rocks trip was amazing. I never knew I was capable of doing the things I did.”
Students considered for the field trip had to complete an application process as if they were applying for college or a job. Ultimately, WRMS Outdoor Education Program is designed for all 8th grade students regardless of economic standings and achievement levels to experience peer teaching, outdoor enrichment cultivating student confidence to take personal risk, and socially, how to trust, communicate, and respect peers and adults in their group. Students were involved in trip prepping, cooking and doing dishes for others. In addition, all students learned rock climbing skills such as how to properly tie in to their harness, rock climbing communication cues, climbing techniques, and how to belay for one another.
The trip would not have been possible without the enormous community support. For instance, 100 Men Who Care, a nonprofit founded by Marty Lyons, with the representation of David K. Holmes donated $7,600 towards the outdoor education program. In addition, valuable contributions were made by the following:
Backwoods Mountain Sports, Blaine County Education Foundation, Blaine County School District Transportation Department, Community School Outdoor Program,
Elephant’s Perch, Blaine County PTA, Papoose Club, Sun Valley Animal Center, Sun Valley Trekking and Wood River YMCA. Wood River YMCA received a $3,000 grant from the John William Jackson Fund which paid for guiding service and all the climbing gear.
The WRMS Outdoor Education Program is grateful for such support and hope to provide more adventures in the future including backpacking, snowshoeing, and rafting in addition to rock climbing. These trips are only possible because of the generous aid of our community. Thank you!
View more photos here.