We All Grow Better Outside 🌷


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🌞 We all grow better outside 🌞

A Bea Underwood Elementary (Parachute) student during last year's Bike to School Day!

Garfield County Outdoors (GCO) is a collaborative initiative that connects youth and families to the outdoors. ALL programs are FREE and transportation and gear is provided when possible. GCO is part of the Re-2 and Garfield 16 School Districts and communities (New Castle, Silt, Rifle & Parachute).

If ever there was a time for the outdoors, it’s now. 🍃🌲

"We can all use a little fresh air these days. Go for a stroll around your neighborhood. Mosey down a local trail. Spend time in your backyard or on your balcony and feel the warm sun on your face. Treat yourself and your family to the stress-relieving, immunity-boosting, feel-good-vibes that only nature can provide (Generation Wild)."

Stay wild. Stay safe. Stay close to home.

Click here for outdoor activities you can do close to home.

Garfield County Outdoors

PATTERNS IN NATURE CHALLENGE 🌱

In response to the closure of schools, GCO partner, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), has created "Nature Challenge" videos that offer simple nature challenges to keep you and your family engaged with and exploring the outdoors!

Nature Challenge videos are posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to ACES' Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel (be sure to subscribe!).

ACES would love to know if you complete a challenge! Comment below the challenge you choose or take a picture and tag ACES: @acesaspen, with the hashtag #acesnaturechallenge

My Window, Our World

Art from your window!

GCO partner, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers is responding to ongoing pandemic restrictions with a new art initiative called My Window, Our World.

My Window, Our World encourages you to share your window's unique view of the outdoors: your house is part of our mountain home. Join us in this exciting project!

When you’re finished, post your artwork to social media under the hashtag #MyWindowOurWorld

Learn more here.

GCO SUMMER PROGRAMS 🌲🏕🧗‍♀️

Open for middle and high school students in the Re-2 and Garfield 16 School Districts:

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YOUTH CREW | Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (PAID) 🌲🏕

Contact: clawatsch@rockymountainyouthcorps.com

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Rocky Mountain Youth Corps provides paid leadership and hands-on workforce experience for youth ages 11-18. Participants serve their communities through beautifying, weeding, trail work, restoration, gardening, and other conservation-based projects.

2 Week PAID Sessions | June 8-August 14
Ages 14-15 | Week 1: M-F 8am-4pm; Week 2 Monday 8am-Friday 4pm, 24/7 camping
Ages 16-18 | Two weeks starting on Sunday, ending on second Friday, 24/7 camping
Apply Here: https://www.rockymountainyouthcorps.org/youth-crew-11-18
FREE to apply and participate for youth living in the communities from New Castle-Parachute!
Now offering a $50 Referral Bonus! Email for more details!
Gear and transportation support available

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ROCK CLIMBING | **CANCELED** ❕❗

We hope to postpone CMC/GCO climbing programs to the 20-21 school year and summer 2021

GCO | Garfield 16 School District

PROGRAM CHANGES 🌄

3D Archery Shoot (May 9/10) | Canceled
Game Warden Game Feed | Canceled
Spring Expeditionary Learning and school trips | Mostly canceled, some TBD
Challenge Course (April sessions) | Canceled | Programs will resume as soon as possible
Summer Rafting (middle/high school) | Anticipated to continue
Hunter Education Course | Aug. 8

Winter Survival Camping Trip Success! ❄🌨

Grand Valley High School's Outdoor Club went on a winter survival camping trip on the Grand Mesa March 5-7. They spent one night in snow shelters, learned back country survival skills, and built fires with limited resources. This was a great trip!

Garfield 16 School District's Outdoor Education Department looks forward to continued programming when possible. In the meantime, stay safe and get out to soak in the spring sunshine! 🌞🌻

Buddy Program | Outdoor Leadership

Can't stop, Won't stop 🌲

After several weeks of no in-person school, Buddy Program LEAD Instructor- Nathan Perrault- has reconnected with students via video chat as Rifle High School's Outdoor Leadership class has gone online!

Students will continue to learn about nonprofit organizations and their importance in the world, and they will have at least one assignment each week that gets them outside and away from a screen. First up- a scavenger hunt! Who doesn't love a scavenger hunt that gets you outside, stretching your legs, breathing fresh air, and soaking up that fresh vitamin D?!

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🎇📣 RHS/RMS students: be on the lookout to register for the Buddy Program's (*free*) Outdoor Leadership courses for next school year!

Make a mask, wear a mask, donate a mask!

GCO partner, Garfield County 4-H and CSU Extension encourages you to be a part of the Colorado Mask Project.

✨Click "View entire message" (there's more!)✨

Summer 2020: 🦋 Paid sessions with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, free outdoor day camp, and free hiking/fishing trips... Keep an eye on the Garfield County Outdoors website for more information and for potential cancellations due to COVID-19.
ACES 🐓 will be teaching environmental science at Highland Elem. | Fall 2020