For the 11th consecutive year, organizations have collaborated to offer an outdoor educational experience for students and teachers in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District. The snowshoe trek provides an opportunity for participants to learn outside the traditional classroom setting.
Jonah E., a student who took part in this year’s event, expressed his enjoyment: “It’s really nice to learn outside, breathing fresh, Tahoe air.” Event organizers noted that the weather was ideal, with clear skies and enthusiastic students.
The two-day trek involved South Tahoe Middle School eighth graders taking the Heavenly aerial tram to explore various interactive stations. These included winter animal adaptations, tree species identification, ski resort operations, and snow science and safety.
The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science educated students on how animals adapt to winter conditions and allowed them to handle animal pelts from the Tahoe Basin. Meanwhile, the Sugar Pine Foundation taught students tree species identification and forestry measurement techniques.
Heavenly Operations and Ski Patrol, along with Sierra Avalanche Center, demonstrated ski run maintenance and avalanche rescue procedures. Asher, a rescue puppy, helped teach basic snow safety and avalanche terrain rescue skills.
Eighth-grade science teacher Mr. Clark highlighted the significance of this experience: “Our kids don’t often get the opportunity to come outside and learn about their beautiful home, especially the chance to come to Heavenly. This is a great way for students to apply the skills they use in the classroom to a real-world setting.”
Avery Sigarroa from the Sugar Pine Foundation emphasized the trek’s role in connecting students with nature while fostering critical thinking skills. “Students gain a deeper curiosity and respect for the natural world around them,” Sigarroa said. “We are so glad to have the opportunity to provide this experience again for students in the basin, and we are excited to see how this collaboration grows and evolves in the future.”
