Outdoor blazes new trails

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

School programs that teach kids about the great outdoors are beginning to take off in Strathmore.
As of this fall, Strathmore High School will offer class credit to join the outdoor education program, which will piggyback the program that just finished its third year at Crowther Memorial Junior High School.
Stephanie Aitken, a teacher wrapping up her second year at the high school, wanted to provide her students a chance to enjoy activities in the mountains the same way she did when she was a kid.
“My main vision is to educate students so they can have lifelong enjoyment with outdoor adventures and learn about the challenges that come with spending time in the wild. And hopefully they can build a deeper level of perseverance from it,” said Aitken.
This past year, the outdoor education program was an after-school club that went on day hikes, a two-night backpacking trip and a two-night cross-country ski trip.
But as of this fall, students can earn credit toward their high school diploma and the program will take place within school hours.
“Next year, we are going to have in-school lessons educating students on the activities they are about to go out and experience, instead of learning about everything out in the mountains,” said Aitken.
Like some sports programs with the high school and junior high, the high school will use Crowther as a building block for their outdoor education program.
Scott Sackett just finished his third year running the outdoor education program at the junior high. Like Aitken’s inaugural year, it was a club option for students after school. Now it is an option for students just like other classes. Sackett has seen his program go from three classes up to seven over the years.
“I think the outdoors is a great place for kids. It’s pretty crucial for kids to get out to the mountains when you live this close to a world-class environment like that,” said Sackett. “In this tech age, I think it’s important to get the kids out into nature.”
Sackett’s programs are open to Grade 8 and 9 students. For the Grade 8 kids, the class goes on a day hike in the fall, a winter camping trip in February and another camping trip in June. The Grade 9 students go on camping trips in the fall and spring, along with one trip in the winter.
All trips for the high school and junior high take place in Kananaskis Country, which includes five provincial parks, four wildland provincial parks, one ecological reserve and several provincial recreation areas. The location changes each time so the students get to experience a different part of Kananaskis.
Having the proper gear can be an issue for kids in the program. Things like personal sleeping bags, a warm sweater, rain jacket and a solid pair of boots are mandatory for each kid, while other things like tents, stoves and water filters can be shared.
The schools do provide some gear for students, but there is not enough to go around. But as the program continues to grow, Sackett says so does his collection of gear.
Both teachers are already planning next year’s trips, as they continue to receive positive feedback about their programs in the early stages. Interested students can sign up for the courses just like they would for any other class.
With school out for the summer, Sackett and Aitken are hoping the students can take the things they learned this year into fun summer activities.