Winters offer a chance to learn!
Kids from Washington Elementary School gather during a recent Winter Tracks event
(Courtesy photo)
Every winter, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness teams up with Idaho and Montana schools to make sure kids have the chance to learn and explore in their wild backyard.
These outdoor adventures, which are called Winter Tracks days, get students out in the wintertime to learn about local ecosystems. The days are led by some of the region’s most dedicated and knowledgeable volunteer outdoor educators. Running for the last several years, Winter Tracks makes learning about wilderness fun. And local teachers can’t get enough.
“The Clark Fork students and I had a great time with FSPW on each of our days with them,” said Clark Fork Junior and Senior High School teacher Rebecca Haag. “I was impressed with the high quality volunteers willing to donate their time and share their expertise to enrich my student's understanding of the natural world around them, from tree ID and silviculture, mammalogy using an extensive collection of specimens for hands on learning, and safe use of tools to build and retread trails found right at the virtual doorstep to our school!”
This year, FSPW will offer 14 days of outdoor adventure to schools in Bonner, Lincoln, Sanders and Spokane counties. That’s a lot of classes that will be getting into nature, learning about the trees, plants, animals and natural systems that make wild places wild.
Each Winter Tracks session is led by volunteer experts who care about getting kids into nature. They answer questions, provide individual attention and do their best to make sure everyone has a great time.
“The day flows beautifully with a variety of stations, each being taught by knowledgeable volunteers,” Haag said. “I have enjoyed the program so much that when I retire I hope to be able to participate in the program as a volunteer! I have also brought students up Scotchman Peak each year for trail maintenance and as goat ambassadors, and it has become a cherished tradition for our school.”
Keep an eye out for a Winter Tracks session at your child’s school, or ask a classroom to participate! And if you’re interested in teaching students outside about our local plants or animals, please contact Cori at cori@scotchmanpeaks.org.