Project Location/Destination: Out of town - Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Faculty Leaders: Kate Lorber-Crittenden & Kailey Cole
Dates: Saturday, March 11 - Friday, March 17 (Please note project begins on Saturday, March 11 and ends on Friday, March 17)
Cost: $2230
Special Considerations:
See below.
Objective
Outdoor experiential education designed to introduce students to rock climbing.
Description
Come explore Oregon, from the Pacific coast to the high desert climate and topography of Central Oregon! The main event of the week is the three-days of climbing, but that’s after we dip our toes in the Pacific, explore Portland, and drive through Mt. Hood National Forest. Schedule overview: Students will fly into Portland, OR on Saturday, where we'll spend two nights: we'll drive west on Sunday for a short coastal hike and return to explore Portland in the late afternoon. Monday morning, we'll travel east across the state, through Mt. Hood National Forest, to Bend or Redmond, where we'll stay for the week. A house will serve as our home base as we spend the remaining days at Smith Rock State Park, learning to climb, belay and rappel. On our last day at the park, we'll test our skills and our nerves by completing a Tyrolean Traverse across Monkey's mouth--nearly 300 ft off the ground! Students will be able to challenge themselves during the days and return to the house at the end of each day for home cooked meals by student groups and down time with their peers!
Student Requirements and Expectations
Evenings will be spent taking turns cooking family-style meals for the group and then unwinding by debriefing the day and discussing some literature inspired by the trip or watching a movie.
Students do not need prior rock climbing or gym climbing experience to go on this trip, but students must be able to walk up to five miles in a day, be outdoors all day (rain or shine), and be willing to work as a member of a team while climbing. Students will be able to monitor and have control over their own level of challenge and exertion, but they will be expected to participate fully in the days’ activities. Students will take turns climbing as well as learn how to belay and rappel.
Lastly, some nervousness about heights are to be expected when climbing, but anyone who has a strong fear of heights is counseled against signing up for this trip. The Tyrolean traverse is high up! We encourage you to challenge yourself, but we WILL be HIGH UP! IN THE MONKEY’S MOUTH!
About the Faculty
Ms. LC has loved Smith Rock ever since she first visited when she was twenty years old. While she's not the BEST climber, she does enjoy it, and hopes she can introduce some Latin students to this beautiful place and have a little fun while learning to climb!
Ms. Cole is a big fan of the Pacific Northwest, road trips, and hiking, so she is very excited to chaperone this trip. She is looking forward to facilitating discussions around some local Oregon literature and cheering budding Latin climbers on from the ground!
Special Considerations
Accommodation considerations - Students will be expected to sleep in shared accommodations.
COVID related information - Some venues may require proof of COVID vaccination or negative test. Students are encouraged to travel with this information and provide it, if required. Please contact the project leaders or School Nurse with any questions or concerns.
Equipment requirements: hiking gear - Students will be responsible for bringing and carrying their own backpack, large enough to hold their own rain gear, water bottles, additional attire for layering, depending on the weather.
Expectation for physical activity - This project will require a significant amount of physical exertion and possibly some physical discomfort. Students on this project should be willing to deal with discomfort, at times, in inclement weather. Students are expected to be able to participate fully in all these daily activities.
Scheduling (Out-of-Town) - This project will have time commitment outside of the M-F (8-4) typical school week. Please note that there is an expectation that students are able to attend the whole time the project is running.
Supervision while sleeping - Students might be unsupervised for extended periods of time during sleeping hours (hotel, hostels, etc.).
Transportation considerations: Latin faculty - Students will be transported by Latin School faculty chaperones drivers.