Walsenburg Outdoor Education Program

Walsenburg Jr/Sr High School

Walsenburg, CO

Amount Requested: $2,500

Donation Amount: $250

At WJSHS, we believe Outdoor Education is essential to the wellbeing of children. Our Outdoor Ed. Program strives to connect students with outdoor recreation, career, and conservation opportunities.

Last year, my administration empowered me to begin creating an Outdoor Education Program. This is an elective opportunity for students by which we partner with our community garden liaison, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Lathrop State Park, Panadero Ski Corporation, and many more outdoor-focused non-profit organizations to provide educational, recreational, and career opportunities for our students. It is my hope to take students on several trips this year, including a trip to Cuchara Mountain Park for fall hiking, an indoor rock climbing trip in Colorado Springs, a ski trip to Wolf Creek Ski Resort and a visit to Salida's Colorado Mountain College. Additionally, we will be partnering with CPW to bring students archery instruction, hunter safety, and wildlife management career opportunities. Though many of these partnerships are free, several of our trips require significant funds for transportation, appropriate outdoor gear, and food. For example, our annual ski trip costs approximately $1000 for tickets, rentals, and transport. As an under-resourced district and a community that struggles with poverty, I never want money to be a barrier between my students and outdoor adventure, so supplemental grants are much needed. Unfortunately, CDE did not grant my district 21st Century Solars funding this school year, so we find ourselves scrambling to fill the financial gap.