San Juan Field School: Outdoor Education

DYNAMIC MT. GEOLOGY
Geology Talk
Learn about Telluride's dynamic geological history from 140 million years ago till present through an interactive workshop with local guide/instructor Sylvie Fadrhonc. Highlights of Sylvie's workshop will include creative analogies for volcanic processes and map skills to put to use in her upcoming walk!

Geology Tour with Sylvie Fadrhonc
Explore the geology of the San Juan Mountains through a hands-on field trip led by Colorado geologist and guide/instructor Sylvie Fadrhonc. Starting with volcanism through to glacial and mining history, join Sylvie for a geological tour from Lizard Head Wilderness to Ophir and beyond.

PRIMITIVE SURVIVAL SKILLS
Have you ever wondered how people made fire before lighters? Do you think YOU could build a fire without one? Well, you CAN! Join local Telluride guide/instructor Jon Miller on Sep. 2nd and or 8th, 2007 for a Walk & Talk as we explore the art, the science, and the mystery

WALKS & TALKS - PLEASE CALL (970) 708-7736 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

These programs are made possible through generous Donations and Grants..
The San Juan Field School is sponsored by the Telluride Foundation, TSG Ski and
Golf, LLC, the San Juan Outdoor School, Telluride mountain Village Owners
Association, and the Town of Telluride.

contact@sanjuanfieldschool.com

CLASSROOM EXTENSION PROGRAMS
Each year, the San Juan Field School works with Telluride area classroom teachers to create experiential education programs that enhance the educational curricula of their classes. Whether students are studying the sciences, humanities or outdoor education, the San Juan Field School is able to create programs that meet the needs of each student group. Our programs take students to outdoor classrooms so that they may explore the natural and cultural history of the Telluride region. The San Juan Field School successfully works with a variety of local teachers to create specialized curricular experiences that meet their academic goals.

To this end, the San Juan Field School has an extensive Avalanche Education program that reaches students in all area schools. A survey conducted in the Telluride Middle/High School in 2000, revealed that many students considered themselves expert skiers/riders with adequate knowledge to travel in Telluride's backcountry, specifically through the Ski Area's Backcountry Access Points. And yet, when asked how to recognize avalanche terrain, use avalanche rescue gear, or what to do in case of an emergency, most students exhibited a profound ignorance about proper protocols. The Telluride Ski Area has no way of controlling who may leave the ski area and enter the dangerous avalanche terrain of Bear Creek. It thus becomes the responsibility of local educational organizations to provide our youth with an adequate understanding of the profound dangers associated with skiing/riding Telluride's Backcountry.

EDUCATOR COURSES
The focus of these programs is to give educators the opportunity to become intimately familiar with the natural and cultural resources found within the wild places of the San Juan Mountain Range. Upon completion of these courses, participants have the knowledge and curricular tools necessary to implement successful place-based education programs. Participants are eligible to receive two hours of Graduate Credit from Adams State College for all San Juan Field School Educator Seminars for an additional $35 per credit fee. Some scholarships may be available.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
These programs offer educational opportunities to people who have the desire have to participate in field-based programs that not only provide them with first-hand encounters with the natural world, but also teach them about the natural and cultural history of these wild places. Single and multi-day excursions are available throughout the year and offer guests and a chance to learn about our unique region. Please contact us to find out more information about setting up an educational program for your family or group.

AVALANCHE EDUCATION
FREE Community Programs, Open to the Public
Ongoing: Monday Night Avalanche Awareness Forum Series
Join the San Juan Field School and Telluride Ski Patrol on select Monday nights to hear a variety of guest speakers. This series is designed to encourage avalanche safety and awareness. These evening discussions take place 5-6 times throughout the winter season. Our programs involve a variety of guest speakers and are designed to stimulate thought about avalanche safety. Free to the public.

Avalanche Beacon Rescue Clinics
January - Actual Clinic Dates TBA
Our free Avalanche Beacon Rescue Clinics are offered 4-6 times each season. In these 2-3 hour sessions, you will have the opportunity to meet with a variety of avalanche professionals to learn the latest techniques in avalanche beacon rescue while engaging in supervised practice in the field. Specific clinic dates to be announced.

Living In Avalanche Country - An 8th Grade Science Unit
In conjunction with the Telluride School District 's Outdoor Education Program, The San Juan Field School works each year with local teacher, Colin Hubbard to create a two-week 8th Grade Mini-Unit in Avalanche Education. Students in this program devote their science classes to learning about the geo-dynamics of avalanches and how weather, terrain, and snowpack all play significant roles in creation of avalanches. They gain an understanding of the basic physics of snow science and how the metamorphism of individual snow crystals results in a recipe for disaster. The program culminates in an in-depth field trip to Lizard Head Pass in which students join a variety of avalanche professionals to dig snowpits, learn avalanche rescue techniques and practice route-finding skills.

Other Youth Avalanche Programs
Throughout the winter season, The San Juan Field School also works with a variety of other youth-based entities including the Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club to educate local children and teens about the avalanche phenomenon In the past, we have done school-wide assemblies on the dangers of traveling in Avalanche Terrain and made additional Avalanche Awareness programs available to individual classes as desired by teachers. We hope to continue to offer programs of this kind in the future so that we may more effectively reach the young people of the region. If you are interested in creating a course for your group please contact us!

All of these programs are made possible by the generous support of the Telluride Foundation, San Miguel County, CASE, the Mountain Village Owner's Association, and the Telluride Ski and Golf Company.

Avalanche Awareness Clinic
Date's: December 29th - 30th
Price: $95/person
Registration Limit: 25 people

Sponsored by the San Juan Field School and the San Juan Outdoor School/Telluride Alpinism. This one and a half day clinic is intended for people of all disciplines (Alpine, Snowboard, Telemark) who want to educate themselves about avalanche protocol and hazard evaluation. This workshop provides an excellent simplified introduction to the avalanche phenomenon in a supportive and nurturing environment. Topics include avalanche awareness, beacon and rescue techniques, terrain analysis and snow stability evaluation. Students will spend the night of the 29th in the classroom learning about the ways in which snowpack, terrain, and weather contribute to avalanche conditions. The next day, will be spent entirely in the field to study the basics of terrain evaluation and avalanche rescue skills.The morning is spent in a classroom environment and the rest of the day on a tour in the Lizard Head Pass backcountry. This clinic is sponsored by San Juan Field School , San Juan Outdoor School/Telluride Alpinism. No prior experience in necessary.

*New Course*
Telluride Avalanche School Backcountry Skiing/Snowboarding Avalanche Refresher & Hut Trip
Dates: January 12th-13th
Price: $200.00/person
Registration Limit: 15 people
Registration fee includes food, lodging and outfitting fees.

Sponsored by San Juan Field School and the San Juan Outdoor School/Telluride Alpinism, this refresher course provides a review of the basics to evaluate avalanche conditions. Students will be reintroduced to the avalanche phenomenon in a complete field environment. In reviewing the relationship that exists between mountain weather, snowpack stability and terrain features, students will practice how to evaluate avalanche conditions. Field sessions make up 90% of course content and are conducted in a variety of settings. This course is a must for anyone who even considers venturing into the backcountry of the San Juan Mountains.

17th Annual Telluride Avalanche School Level I
Dates: January 4th-6th
Price: $210.00/person
Registration Limit: 35 people

Sponsored by San Juan Field School, San Juan Outdoor School/Telluride Alpinism and Telluride Ski Patrol, this introductory course provides the basics to evaluate avalanche conditions. Students will be introduced to the avalanche phenomenon in both classroom and field sessions. In learning about the relationship that exists between mountain weather, snowpack stability and terrain features, students will gain a basic understanding of how to evaluate avalanche conditions. Field sessions make up 50% of course content and are conducted in a variety of settings. This course is a must for anyone who even considers venturing into the backcountry of the San Juan Mountains . At the end of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Completion. Telluride Ski Area lift access will be provided for non-pass holders.

***NEW Just ADDED***
Telluride Avalanche School Level I
Dates: Feb. 16th - 1 - 3rd
Price: $210.00/person
Registration Limit: 12 people

Sponsored by San Juan Field School, San Juan Outdoor School/Telluride Alpinism and Telluride Ski Patrol, this introductory course provides the basics to evaluate avalanche conditions. Students will be introduced to the avalanche phenomenon in both classroom and field sessions. In learning about the relationship that exists between mountain weather, snowpack stability and terrain features, students will gain a basic understanding of how to evaluate avalanche conditions. Field sessions make up 50% of course content and are conducted in a variety of settings. This course is a must for anyone who even considers venturing into the backcountry of the San Juan Mountain's . At the end of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Completion. Telluride Ski Area lift access will be provided for non-pass holders.

Telluride Avalanche School Level I
Dates: Feb. 16th - 17th and 23rd
Price: $210.00/person
Registration Limit: 20 people

Sponsored by San Juan Field School, San Juan Outdoor School/Telluride Alpinism and Telluride Ski Patrol, this introductory course provides the basics to evaluate avalanche conditions. Students will be introduced to the avalanche phenomenon in both classroom and field sessions. In learning about the relationship that exists between mountain weather, snowpack stability and terrain features, students will gain a basic understanding of how to evaluate avalanche conditions. Field sessions make up 50% of course content and are conducted in a variety of settings. This course is a must for anyone who even considers venturing into the backcountry of the San Juan Mountain's . At the end of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Completion. Telluride Ski Area lift access will be provided for non-pass holders.