At the beginning of every school year, around 200 students at the Community School embark on a two-night, three-day outdoor trip. They travel in and around the Wood River Valley in groups of all ages, including students in 6th through 12th grades. The emphasis of the trip is to build teamwork and inclusiveness.
"Part of the job of the upperclassmen is to lead the way and to make the younger students feel safe and included," said Rob Landis, the school's outdoor program director.
While most private schools have some kind of outdoor program, the one at The Community School is unique in two ways. One, each student is required to participate in not one but four outdoor trips each academic year, and two, the teachers rather than outdoor professionals lead the kids on their adventures.
The trips can also be physically rigorous. Landis has witnessed students summit peaks such as Hyndman and Standhope in the Pioneers. At one point, Landis recalled seeing 35 Community School kids standing on top of Norton Peak in the Smoky Mountains.
"So many of the kids are naturally athletic and incredibly motivated," Landis said. "It is just amazing to watch them because these kids will do anything."
The Community School's outdoor program has been in effect since the school's inauguration, and it has always been a graduation requirement for each of the students. In fact, if a student misses a trip, he or she will make it up at a later date.
"Being located in the Wood River Valley, having mandatory outdoor trips is almost intuitive," Landis said. "It is also so essential for the school as the trips help them learn about each other and themselves, and to learn academically as it dramatically improves relations amongst peers and teachers."
Landis said it also gives the teachers a unique perspective on the students, especially on those who may not be the best academic performers but really blossom in the outdoors.
"It helps us as teachers to realize that being good at school is not the only thing in life," Landis said.