Imagine stepping into a snow-covered forest, where every tree whispers stories of resilience, and the crunch of snowshoes underfoot is the only sound breaking the winter silence …and, oh yeah, several dozen giggling fourth graders.
This is the backdrop of a winter San Juan Mountains Association field trip, a journey that begins long before students arrive, crafted through careful preparation, teamwork and a touch of creativity. As seasons change, SJMA shifts gears to prepare for an engaging snowshoeing season, bringing science and survival skills to life for local students.
The week begins with a Monday planning day, an essential part of ensuring smooth and meaningful programs. The team gathers to debrief the previous week, share updates and plan for the days ahead. While these meetings are largely focused on logistics, they’re also an opportunity to bond. One favorite tradition is “Scrump or Dump,” (for the uninitiated, this is a game in which someone brings in an unusual snack like pickle-flavored cotton candy and the team decides if it’s scrumptious or should be dumped). This lighthearted ritual always sparks laughter and reflects the camaraderie that helps the team navigate the more demanding aspects of outdoor education.
On the field trip day, the team starts long before the students arrive, often at the office early to boil water for activities like the “baby squirrel” challenge to keep the baby squirrel (aka a tube filled with hot water) as warm as possible. They arrive at the field trip location ahead of time to lay out snowshoes, scout for tracks and assess the snowpack (or lack thereof) to adapt activities as needed. This season, the surprising absence of snow has been a constant curveball, but creativity and flexibility keep the program running smoothly. By the time students arrive bundled up, the team is ready to guide them through the winter landscape.
The day kicks off with an introduction to the topic for the day. As the students strap on their snowshoes (or, in some cases, hike through frosty trails) they’re challenged to use all their senses – listening for bird calls, spotting tracks in the snow (or mud) and feeling the cold wind on their faces to immerse themselves in the ecosystem.
These field trips don’t just teach science; they foster a connection to the land and a sense of stewardship. Teachers often share how the experience inspires students to revisit these landscapes with their families, sharing what they’ve learned. As one educator says, “I appreciate having high quality field trip programming in our area. I am grateful that SJMA helps students become stewards of the land while teaching them the academic standards they are required to learn. SJMA does an amazing job engaging students at their level while promoting a love of the landscape.”
Looking ahead, SJMA is crafting exciting new opportunities that promise to expand its reach and impact. Imagine programs connecting minority youths to agriculture and leadership roles, or a home-school curriculum that grows in both scope and vision. These initiatives, still taking shape, hint at an even brighter future for fostering stewardship and a lifelong love of nature.
Whether it’s sharing laughs about peculiar snacks or watching a student’s eyes light up as they find an animal track, every SJMA field trip showcases the magic of outdoor education. It’s a testament to the power of teamwork, thoughtful planning and the natural world to create transformative experiences that stay with participants for a lifetime.
Adriana Stimax is the education director for SJMA and is passionate about connecting youths to the natural world through hands-on outdoor experiences and environmental stewardship.
