School Partners

Shared goals to strengthen our growing community

Name: Lena Fahrenkrog

School: Garfield STEM Magnet and Community School

Role: Teacher

Lena

How has getting your students outdoors impacted their school experience?

There has been a positive impact on students who have gone on hiking and camping trips. I think that their investment in school increases when they have an opportunity to experience non-traditional

Years involved with Gulch Programs: 2 education. When we are on trek their mood, engagement, and flexibility in trying new things is much higher than in the classroom.

How do you think involvement in Gulch programs has impacted your students' sense of community?

Students are able to build community with each other and the teachers/staff on trek that are really strong. Gulch staff does excellent programming that work on trust and relationships. These students form lasting bonds with each other and the adults they are with.

Why do you think outdoor education is important for your students and your community specifically?

Not many students at Garfield have an opportunity to hike/travel/ camp with their families. It's important for them to see their community, and state on a larger scale and understand their place in its future. It's important for them to know, even if they haven't been there before, that there is a beautiful natural world just an hour (or less) from their home and they are the future stewards of that land.