Building Strong Relationships in the Outdoors

“Something I’ve been missing the most lately is building strong relationships. I think being outdoors and going through something difficult together is really the best ways to do that.” –Louisa G. (’21)

Like Louisa, Derek Wright understands the positive impact of outdoor experiences. As Riverstone’s Outdoor Education Coordinator, Derek has been responsible for evaluating the school’s existing outdoor program and determining what adaptions needed to be put in place in light of COVID-19. Besides re-thinking “how” students, faculty and staff could safely engage in activities, this process also required that Derek take a fresh look at “where” trips/activities would take place.

According to Derek, the new safety protocols that have been implemented:

• Meet CDC guidelines;
• Include social distancing, increased sanitation, and hygiene;
• Require that everyone wear masks from beginning to end, including transportation, with the exception of the times when social distancing in an outdoor setting could be achieved; and
• Require that everyone brings their own meals and water bottles.

While overnight activities have been postponed, new single day activities/destinations were introduced that mirrored the skills taught during past activities.

What were the Fall 2020 Outdoor Education program for Gr 6-12 activities?

• Gr 6: Crooked River Hike in Boise National Forest
• Gr 7: Weiser River Trail Bike Ride
• Gr 8: Main Payette River Rafting
• Gr 9: Station Creek Hike in Garden Valley
• Gr 10: Perjue Canyon Hike in Owyhee Mountains
• Gr 11: Perjue Canyon Hike in Owyhee Mountains
• Gr 12: Black Cliffs Rock Climbing

Although the activities are different from pre-COVID activities, it has been clear from our students’ reactions that the school’s efforts to find ways to safely explore the outdoors with classmates, and teachers as guides, is critical for their connections to each other and overall wellbeing.

According to Louisa G. (’21): “Getting to climb with the people in my class not only gave me the chance to see people that I might not have seen for the last six months, but also helped me to exercise and build that comradery that I need right now for my mental health and to contribute to the overall experience of my senior year.”

Reflecting on Fall 2020, Derek Wright shared, “Each day trip has had its own stories of adventure. There were seniors who experienced their first-time rock climbing and 7th graders who rode a bike nearly 25 miles in a single day. Our 8th graders were able to get a late season float on the Payette River, and our 6th graders had an adventurous ‘off-trail’ hiking experience to the Crooked River. Lastly, our 9th graders were challenged by a hike with a lot of elevation, and our 10th and 11th graders experienced a relatively undiscovered hike in the Owhyees.”