Follow us:
Ruch Outdoor Community School
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Model
    • In The News
    • Applegate Outdoor School
    • Yosemite 2018
    • PCT 2023
    • Our Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Best Practices
    • Project-based learning
    • Place-based Education
    • Professional Development
    • AmeriCorps
  • Food
    • Apiary Studies
    • School Garden
  • Water
    • Salmon Watch
  • Forests
    • Applegate Stewards
  • Waste
    • Composting
    • Recycling
  • Energy
    • Solar Project
    • Lightbulb Brigade

The Ascent to Yosemite National Park

6/19/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture

“The mountains are calling, and I must go.” 
― John Muir, The Mountains of California

What started as a bold idea in October became a memorable reality this June for 8th grade students at Ruch Outdoor Community School: a multi-day excursion to Yosemite National Park and northern California.  

Students were responsible for a bulk of trip preparations.  In addition to learning about natural history and current land use practices, students planned the food menu, researched hiking routes, set the itinerary for the trip, completed the Educational Fee Waiver form, and conducted multiple fundraising activities to cover over three-quarters of the trip's expenses.  This promoted a natural "buy in" and sense of agency.  Students walked away from this experience with a greater appreciation for public wild areas and the recreation activities made available by them.  

Highlights from the trip include:
  • Warm-up morning hike to Lower Yosemite Falls;
  • Guided tour of the riparian valley adjacent to Merced River from the Parks as Classroom Ranger Program;
  • 6.4 mile hike on the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall Trails;
  • Views of Liberty Cap and Emerald Pool from the John Muir Trail;
  • Scouting for rock climbers with binoculars on El Capitan - we saw three!
  • Birdwatching and nature sketching in Hodgdon Meadows;
  • Swimming in glacial Tioga Lake in Tuolome Meadows at 9,639' elevation!
  • Waterfall hikes on the McCloud River.

Please enjoy this video of memories and moments:

0 Comments

    In the News

    Keep up to date with the latest and greatest at Ruch Community School.

    Archives

    December 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    August 2021
    October 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    June 2018
    March 2018
    September 2017
    February 2017
    June 2016
    June 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.