"The flaw with educational research is that it is based on the idea that a classroom with four walls is the best environment for students to learn." -Bryce Passey 

River Rats: Summer Discovery was a summer learning program available for 12 summers, from 2004 to 2015, to incoming sixth graders at Mount Logan Middle School.  Our experience taught us that for summer school to be successful, couldn't look or smell anything like a classroom. Summer Discovery was based on the Bringing Literature to Life model dreamed up by Dave Anderson and Bryce Passey in 1999--the basic idea is that you read a book with students and simultaneously engage them in physical activities that bring the book to life. We've read a variety of books for Summer Discovery over the years. 

Dave Anderson, John Gregory, Bryce Passey, & Eric Newell 

You can view photos and videos of Summer Discovery/River Rats by clicking here.

River Rats: 2015 Summer Discovery Description

Spend a some time with us and you’ll never look at moving water in the same way again—just don’t expect to sit around like a delinquent Huck Finn. We’ll listen to various excerpts from the best literature about rivers, write and sketch in field journals, learn how to paddle a canoe, row a boat, and make first-hand observations of the way rivers sort rocks, pebbles, and sand meticulously by size. Understand the math behind figuring the volume and velocity of rivers. Come prepared to hike and camp and work hard and be ready to hang onto your hat!

We'll spend three days in Grand Teton National Park, rafting mild whitewater (class II+ rapids--on a scale of I to VI) in Alpine Canyon, floating the scenic flat water stretch of the Snake River with the towering Teton summits in view, and canoeing on String Lake. Short hikes, good food, plentiful wildlife, and starry nights cap off a perfect trip.  Moose and Bison occasionally wander past our group campsite in the Gros Ventre campground. We pack the days full of learning and fun.

You can view a sample schedule and packing list for the Teton trip below.