Class Trips are HERE!!
Every spring, while most of the seniors are on senior projects, the 9th through 11th graders have trips. These trips include: birding in Harriman, the acting/theater experience in Ashland, and the solo trip down in the Canyon Lands. When the seniors return from various parts of the globe they will embark on senior quest.
Birding in Harriman: 9th Grade
Second semester biology is all about the birds (well, some genetics are involved as well). The students are required to pick a bird that they may encounter while frolicking about in West Yellowstone and create a comic depicting information about that bird in an informative - but humorous - way. Be careful to stick to the exact guidelines! If Harry suggests something, it’s in your best interest to comply. The worst phrase in the history of trips is “add five more birds to your list.” Upon arriving at the dorm in Harriman, the birding adventure begins. Students are forced to present information on their birds, share their comic, and do an embarrassingly public imitation of their bird’s call. Throughout the day the 9th graders explore the facilities and search for birds to write down on the notorious “bird lists”. The freshmen also have the opportunity to bird within Yellowstone National Park.
Theater in Ashland: 10th Grade
As second semester rolls around for the sophomores, Phil begins to teach romantic poetry and Fritz teaches the history of the Industrial Revolution, the Romantic Era, and the World Wars. The actual trip consists of driving to Ashland in a charter bus (don’t forget Fritz again at a gas station in Eastern Oregon!), staying in a quaint motel (try to avoid clogging the toilet), and attending various plays and acting activities (do NOT fall asleep during the Shakespeare play. I repeat: The wrath of Willie Felton will slay your soul if you doze off during “As You Like It”). While in Ashland, students have time to explore Lithia “Hippie” Park and the various shops as well as play tennis (mandatory) and soccer (not so much). The Ashland experience is an excellent one for the 10th grade: it provides freedom of exploration and a rewarding cultural experience.
Canyon Lands Solo: 11th Grade
Junior year is a strenuous time for many students because it involves college searches, junior thesis writing, and ridiculously taxing and difficult schoolwork. Before embarking on the backpacking and soloing adventure in the desert, Ryan requires her American Literature class to read Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire (hint: try to get an old copy from someone who actually read the book and took excellent notes in the margins. Like Sparknotes, but better!). Although the trip has remained fairly ambiguous so far, a few things are certain: juniors drive down to Moab in a big charter bus, camp by themselves for two nights with no human contact, backpack together for two nights in very small groups, eat dinner in Moab again, and finally drive home the following day. While on solo, students are required to keep a journal and are provided with nothing but a small packet of “food”, a tent, and the sweet, sweet comforting words of Mr. Abbey in Desert Solitaire. Teachers are keeping the trip a secret in order to preserve the mystery of the trip and provide a tantalizing yet slightly unnerving element of surprise.