Outdoor Education | Whole Child | St. Anne's Episcopal | Denver

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Outdoor Education

 

Outdoor Education at St. Anne’s

Outdoor education is an integral part of child development at St. Anne’s. Starting in Kindergarten, students regularly visit our 16-acre foothills campus, St. Anne’s in the Hills (SAITH), located in Indian Hills, Colorado. This beautiful setting provides a unique backdrop for students to connect with one another and the natural world. At SAITH, students engage in team building and environmental education, fostering cooperation, problem-solving, and community building.

SAITH-Based Outdoor Education Program

The SAITH-based outdoor education program builds upon itself as students progress through their St. Anne’s careers. This scaffolded approach focuses on various topics, including:

  • Leadership
  • Environmental Science
  • Community Building
  • Leave No Trace
  • Outdoor Skills
Grade-Specific Outdoor Education Experiences

Third Grade

  • Hike Chief Mountain
  • Explore the ecology of mountain life zones
  • Learn self-care in the outdoors

Fourth and Fifth Grades

  • Participate in an overnight trip to SAITH in the spring
  • Spend a day at Bear Creek Lake learning to kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, bike, and climb
  • Experience overnight programming at SAITH, connecting with community and founding values
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Sixth Grade

  • Multiple overnight trips to SAITH
  • Participate in programs with Colorado Outward Bound School
  • Focus on developing a sense of belonging and leadership within the community

Seventh Grade

  • Continue building leadership skills
  • Develop self-efficacy and step out of comfort zones
  • Participate in The Great Sand Dunes adventure: camping and white-water rafting

Eighth Grade

  • Colorado Outward Bound experience with high ropes and rock climbing
  • Focus on leadership development, with the aim to bring skills back to school
Environmental Stewardship and Connection with Nature

Throughout their time at St. Anne’s, all students have the opportunity to learn environmental stewardship and deepen their connection with nature.

 

Goals of Outdoor Education at St. Anne’s:
  • Foster a kind and compassionate student community
  • Cultivate environmental stewardship and appreciation for nature
  • Teach skills that allow students to feel at home in the outdoors
  • Enhance the school’s science curriculum
  • Explore themes of interconnectedness, life cycles, adaptation, biodiversity, and change
  • Provide opportunities for team building and student leadership training
  • Develop a deeper appreciation for the legacy of the Founding Sisters

 

Why We Value Outdoor Education:
  • Research has shown that student achievement is strengthened by opportunities to use the environment as an integrating context for learning.
  • Children who spend more time outdoors have proven to be more resilient.
  • Nature provides challenges that enable children to find new successes, develop a sense of competency, and build self-confidence.
  • Relationships with teachers are further strengthened and enhanced outside of the traditional classroom.
  • Developing connections to the natural world and strengthening interpersonal skills are vital for children growing up in a digital age.