户外教育
Making Boys Better Men
The 户外教育 program at Blue Ridge School is designed to teach respect for the natural world, 为他人, and for one’s self. Comprised of seven academic electives, boys learn 技能 like outdoor survival, 急救, 定向越野比赛, ecosystem research and management, outdoor program development, and environmental service. 事实上, the boys have contributed to a variety of projects on the mountain, building trails and bridges for future use. 和, 一路走来, they develop strength, 独立, and leadership that will guide them through their lives.
户外 Leadership I
This class introduces boys to information, 资源, and the experience needed for leadership in the outdoor education field. The boys build the soft 技能 needed to facilitate group exercises and participate in various leadership models, focusing primarily on developing elements of group dynamics, 比如信任, 沟通, 和团队合作. A major project in this class is developing a biographical sketch of a leader in the education, 保护, or recreation field.
户外 Leadership II
This class builds on 户外 Leadership I and focuses primarily on program planning. Boys gain hands-on, practical experience in the development, 实现, and evaluation of recreational programs. Class topics include needs assessments, logistics, risk management, and debriefing. Major projects in this class include developing actual recreational programs for student body participation and creating a proposal for a four-day backcountry expedition. We recommend boys complete 户外 Leadership I prior to registering for this class.
户外 Living Skills
This course introduces boys who appreciate the challenge of wilderness pursuits to the principles of recreation and leisure, as well as the fundamentals of backcountry travel. Boys will develop the hard 技能 essential to outdoor recreation pursuits, including mountain travel, 野营, 烹饪, 生存技能, ecosystem management, 和越野识途比赛. Major projects include overnight 野营 in a primitive hut on campus and a research paper on a 保护 issue impacting wilderness areas.
户外 Service Learning
This fall course examines the act of service and its impact on our world. Boys will engage in a service project on the campus while exploring a variety of issues in the service field. Both local and global non-profit organizations will be studied. Through reading and discussion, boys will examine their personal impact on the environment.
户外 Appreciation
This course is offered in the spring trimester and examines our personal and societal relationship to nature. The avenues of learning in this class include the history of the 保护 movement, the National Park System, and weekly experiences on the Blue Ridge campus. A project that involves sustainability is a major component of this course.
Appalachian Experiences
This winter course examines a variety of topics and issues in and around the Appalachian Mountain Chain. The boys will research and discuss Cherokee culture, the Appalachian Trail, environmental issues, 山文化, 以及其他话题. We also spend some time studying Blue Ridge School, including an exploration of our archives. A major hands-on activity is the painting of a Cherokee gourd mask that will appear in the art shop the following spring.
荒野 & 远程急救
在这个课堂上, boys will gain the knowledge, 技能, and abilities to respond and provide care in an emergency situation, specifically in a wilderness environment. Numerous hands-on scenarios with classmates will help ingrain this important information. Upon completion of the course, students will earn certifications in Adult CPR, 成人AED, 和荒野 & 远程急救. We offer this unique elective in conjunction with the American Red Cross.
“We have the opportunity here at Blue Ridge, to disconnect from the internet and have real meaningful experiences in the outdoors.”
—Cory Woods, 户外 program assistant director
Reuben took on new challenges and found his strengths in the outdoor program.
