Curriculum
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Environmental Science Options
Science here is hands-on, immersive, and outside—where students wade into rivers, crack open rocks, dig into snow layers, and experience science in the real world. It’s messy, exciting, and unforgettable.
Teachers choose one of the following science options for their school’s trip to KSS. Our instructors will take students to a trail that is relevant to the selected science option.
Aquatic Ecology
Available May to October
Students may perform water quality assessments, and survey aquatic macroinvertebrates in order to better understand the health and interconnectedness of aquatic ecosystems in Colorado.
Forest Ecology
Available May to October
Students may explore the Colorado forest ecosystem and discover the interdependent relationships between living and nonliving components.
Watersheds & Water Management
Available Year-round
Students may explore how water collects into watersheds and how humans manage and conserve water resources in Colorado.
Geology
Available May to October
Students may investigate rocks and minerals, weathering and erosion, the transformation of mountain landforms, tectonic plates, and the rich mining history of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.
Snow & Avalanche Science
Available January-April
(Snow Required)
Students may dig snow pits in order to collect scientific data and observe mountainous terrain to explore how snowpack, weather, and terrain contribute to avalanches
Winter Ecology & Adaptations
Available January-April
(Snow Required)
While focusing on animal adaptations, winter forest ecology and the insulative properties of snow, students may learn about the many different strategies organisms use to conserve energy and survive over winter.
Activities
KSS provides gear for all activities that we offer. We also have other gear for students to borrow such as boots, backpacks, and jackets.
Hiking
From April to August, our instructors take students to hiking trails that are relevant to the selected science option.
Snow Travel
From January to March, teachers can choose whether their students learn how to cross country ski or snowshoe. Our instructors will teach students basic skills, so no experience is necessary. On the middle day of their trip to KSS, instructors take students to a trail to practice their new skiing or snowshoeing skills while learning about the selected science option.
Evening Programs
Teachers choose one of the following options for each night that they will be at KSS.
Campfire
Available Year Round
Students will watch KSS instructors perform a series of engaging and silly skits and songs for the students. Throughout the performances, students will be tapped out to go roast their own s’more. Don’t worry, in cold or blizzardy weather, the performance will happen inside and oven baked s’mores will be provided instead! Please let us know during your pre-program call if you have students who need vegan marshmallows or chocolate, or gluten free graham crackers.
Night Hike
Available August – October
Students will do a walk about campus learning how nocturnal and crepuscular animals have heightened senses to survive in low light settings. During this program, students will be encouraged not to use white lights so that we can do an activity demonstrating how the rods and cones in our retinas help us see in both white light and in the dark!
Astronomy
Available September – April
Students will be split into 3-4 groups and rotate to different stations where they will learn about constellations, listen to or make up their own stories about constellations, and peer through a telescope at a distant star or the moon’s craters. If the weather doesn’t work out, we can still provide an alternative astronomy rotation where students get to see a telescope but instead learn about how it works.
Line Dancing
Available Year Round
Students will learn from KSS instructors how to line dance. Instructors will start with the basics of each dance, then practice it a few times, and then dance with the music. For younger students, we offer a silly freeze dance break in the middle of the session.
Team Building
Available Year Round
Students will do a series of team builders over the course of this hour long program. Depending on the group size, they may be split into smaller groups and then rotate to different stations with different team builders. This evening program can be customized for what your students need. During your pre-program call, let us know what kind of social and emotional skills you want your students to work on and also what activities may be too challenging.
Trivia
Available Year Round
Students will split into groups to answer 4-6 rounds of questions. Each round will have a different theme, and at least one round will be based on the selected science option of the trip.
Variety Show
Available Year Round
Students will perform their own acts in front of classmates. We like to allow more creativity than just a talent show and encourage students to perform skits or dances that they can create during their flex time at KSS. Signups will happen during dinner. At the end of the show we surprise students with a spontaneous dance party.