“The river has great wisdom and whispers its secrets to the hearts of men.”
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
The Colorado River provides a spectacular environment for the Aspen Middle School seventh-grade program. Students float for a five day rafting trip on a section of the Colorado River in Utah. This is a self-supported trip with emphasis on developing wilderness safety and ethics, camping skills, knowledge of the riparian and desert environments, and skills in working together as a team.
A seventh-grader can expect to be on one of two trips in early to mid-May. Each trip is divided into “pods” of 18-20 students. Each pod is composed of three student rafts and one gear raft. All camping gear and food is carried on the rafts and all rafts are manned by a certified river guide. The Aspen Middle School and the state of Utah require river guides to go through an intensive training program before leading trips.
While on the trip, students will raft four days, assist with all aspects of camping, maintain the rafting equipment, and have one layover day for hiking. As with all of the Aspen Middle School trips, there is an emphasis on responsibility for oneself in the wilderness, discovery of self through challenging experiences, and development of interpersonal skills.
A seventh-grader can expect to be on one of two trips in early to mid-May. Each trip is divided into “pods” of 18-20 students. Each pod is composed of three student rafts and one gear raft. All camping gear and food is carried on the rafts and all rafts are manned by a certified river guide. The Aspen Middle School and the state of Utah require river guides to go through an intensive training program before leading trips.
While on the trip, students will raft four days, assist with all aspects of camping, maintain the rafting equipment, and have one layover day for hiking. As with all of the Aspen Middle School trips, there is an emphasis on responsibility for oneself in the wilderness, discovery of self through challenging experiences, and development of interpersonal skills.
The light, colors, and moods of the river are constantly changing.
The variety of life in the desert is always surprising.
Students have the opportunity to explore, work together, play, and discover an exciting environment.