Realms Outdoor Program provides a powerful opportunity for students to experience an interdisciplinary education. On any outdoor adventure, whether it be a one-day field trip or a month-long excursion, students can engage in activities that bring meaning to their study of nature, art, science, literature, music, history, and culture. Some of our recent outdoor experiences include:

• Hiking with Save Our Canyons and learning about the watershed and public land protection, ski area projects, land use planning, and recreation access and transportation.

• Volunteering at Wasatch Community Gardens and learning about composting, trellising, and garden features.

• Attending a Between the Rivers primitive engineering workshop and learning about flint knapping, basket making, blacksmithing, archery and bow making.

• Researching Utah air quality and learning how pollution effects the snow layers while being taught about avalanche control and search and rescue .

• Volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT and learning to take action for animals.

In addition to the interdisciplinary aspect of the outdoor program, students have opportunities to mature socially and emotionally, develop a sense of self, and learn valuable leadership skills through other aspects of our outdoor program. These are some of our most frequent outdoor activities:

• Rock climbing in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.

• Mountain Biking at Trailside Bike Park.

• Skiing and snowboarding at Solitude.

• Hiking the Wasatch Front.

• Cross country skiing while playing Capture the Flag.

These integrated and enriching activities round out growth opportunities of every student. As a result, talents otherwise hidden become strengths that add richness and direction to their lives.

Realms outdoor experiences generally incorporate several different components. A backpacking trip, for example, challenges the student’s physical strength and endurance; teaches the importance of being positive with oneself and others; requires an “I won’t give up” attitude; reveals to the students their own deep sources of inner strength; develops cooperation and leadership in those who are able to think beyond themselves; teaches outdoor skills that build confidence and competence; encourages responsibility as the students learn to take care of themselves, their equipment, and their food; and creates a wonderful opportunity to extend their classroom work into the world.

Whether experienced in seventh grade or twelfth grade, our Outdoor Program is a unique application of gifted and whole-brained learning. The powerful effect it has on students lasts a lifetime.