Interim: Humbled and Inspired by the Outdoors

I'm halfway through an amazing Interim trip to southern Utah, guiding eleven Colorado Academy Upper School students through canyons, on cliffs, and all over the outdoors. Interim is a signature CA program that is a wonderful way to end the year. This year, there were 13 Middle and more than 30 Upper School trips – all designed by CA faculty. They ranged from scuba diving and cross country skiing to mountain guiding, adaptive sports, and canyoneering. 

 

On this trip, students are pushing themselves to their limits to see some inspiring ancestral Puebloan ruins and rock art. They have gotten to know each other better; they have been open to new learning experiences; they have been examples of resilience, and they have shown gratitude.

 

These experiences are formative for young people and equally inspiring for adults. This is a section of our country where rocks have been carved by water over millions of years, and it is home to some of the most remarkable landscapes and geologic formations in the U.S. It was also home to an ancient Puebloan culture that both teaches us about their relationship with the land, and also gives us a great deal to ponder about how they lived, and ultimately, how they survived.

 

Ending our school year with adventures that remind us of the vastness of our universe, and our place in it could not be more fitting; it will bring even more meaning to our week ahead, with graduations and continuations. I'm feeling energized and inspired by my time in the wilderness learning with my students. Enjoy the long weekend, and we look forward to celebrating with all of you.