GCO Monthly Newsletter

The calendar says Spring but the weather says otherwise! Despite the wacky weather we've seen lately, things are starting to turn green around the valley and we're ready for the warmer weather.

After a restive spring break, schools are gearing up for many end-of-year outdoor experiences and field trips from our backyard to further afield. We can't wait to share more about these trips over the next few months.

In the meantime, be sure to check out our Upcoming Opportunities sections at the end of the newsletter. There are a ton of exciting events and programs on the horizon that shouldn't be missed. See you out there!

We all grow better outside.

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).

Do you feel like this winter has been a roller coaster or is it just us? We've seen unusually cold weeks backed up to unruly warm days. And now the snow keeps coming.

Here in Garfield 16 we have been taking full advantage of winter programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

We have been excited to offer students various programs to learn to ski and snowboard. The Learn to Ski and Ride club was a program where students from 4th-8th grade got to go to Powderhorn for a series of three lessons. High school students were able to participate and help get kids comfortable on the mountain. The Earn a Turn program with AVSC took students in middle and high school to Buttermilk for a series of six days on the hill. Together, over 50 students got out to the slopes to become confident skiers and riders. The GVMS Journalism class took students to Powderhorn for a day of shredding as well. Students will be making videos to document their adventure. Keep an eye out on our socials for their reels.

At CFL, students in kindergarten and 1st grade dove into their animal units and culminated in various trips. 1st grade learned about animal adaptations and how they survive utilizing guest visitors from service animals in the region and culminating in a snowshoe trip on Grand Mesa.

Kindergarten also learned about animal habitats and got to go on recent field trips to PSS Wildlife Foundation and RIDE Equestrian program in Silt.

BUE's 4th graders took their annual field trips to Grand Mesa for a day of snow shoeing learning about beaver habitats and wilderness survival. We are thrilled to continue this traditional trip thanks to the Parachute Kiwanis club.

Students in the GVHS Outdoor Club went on their annual winter camping trip also at Mesa Lakes Lodge. We had a wealth of first time kidos on the adventure guided more experienced students that have been on the trip year after year. Highschoolers made meals for their peers, pull rainbow trout from the frozen lakes, ski and ride at Powderhorn, cross country ski, dug snow shelters and many of them slept in their huts the entire night there. The GVHS Outdoor Science class has been busy learning about hunter's ed and extending their learning beyond the classic hunter's ed manual with projects like safe firearm handling videos, animal dissections, and debates.

The weather this winter has been unpredictable and has caused us to change our plans, such as with the community ice fishing clinic and 6th grade cross country ski day, we have been able to still take over 500 kids in the district outside to explore their wintery back yard.

This Spring is filled with a jam pack outlook of trips and community events.

Please keep an eye out for some upcoming programs and events.

We have the Rifle Earth Day celebration on April 26th at Centennial Park.

Bring your bikes to the annual BUE Bike Derby on May 10th.

GCO will be setting up an indoor 3D archery shoot at Rifle Rendezvous on May 17th.

And our 2nd annual Parachute Pond Fishing Derby will be on Saturday, June 7th.

See you outside.

Earlier this month, the Buddy Program's Rifle Middle School Outdoor Leadership group ventured to Sylvan Lake State Park for 3 days/2 nights of winter adventures. The students practiced their indoor as well as outdoor cooking skills while fully embracing cabin life. On our layover day, we snowshoed 3+ miles in a spring snow storm and came back to the nice cozy cabin for card games, dinner, and a movie!...and some fresh baked brownies and ice cream for dessert! Our next adventure will be a climbing day in May.

Riverside Middle School rounded out our winter programming with a snowshoe trip to Sunlight Mountain where the amazing outdoor educators from Aspen Center for Environmental Studies helped students learn about snow science and how avalanches happen. Thanks ACES for helping get our youth outside!

Things are about to pick up across the district with field trips already happening. The KSE 5th grade is headed up to Rock Bottom Ranch for a visit and lessons around restorative agriculture. Further on the horizon, many other classes across the district will visit Rock Bottom Ranch, the SIlt Preserve, RIfle Falls, and many other amazing locations across our area. Some students will be making the trek further from home out to Fruita and Moab for hikiing, climbing, and mountain biking.

Speaking of those awesome ways to spend time outdoors, the Titans of Climbing climbing club and Flow State Club will be rolling right into their spring outdoor seasons in the coming weeks! We can't wait to share updates on all these rad adventures in the coming months.

We also welcomed our new employee, Charlotte Hanks to the team! She is the new Outdoor Ed Field Coordinator for Re-2 and joins us from a background as an elementary teacher, river guide, ski instructor, and more. She's hit the ground running and is already stepping out to support outdoor ed field trips. Join us in welcoming her to the team!

Do you know a 9th-12th grade student in the Aspen-Parachute area who wants to meet new people, spend time outdoors, and get paid while doing it? RFOV, along with our partners, are thrilled to announce that the application for the 2024/25 Youth In Nature (YIN) program is now open.

Applications close April 4th!

About YIN:

• Receive a $1,500 educational award during this year-long program
• Meet once a month for days filled with stewardship projects, outdoor Recreation, backcountry hut trip, and more! No experience is necessary!
• Discover volunteer, internship, and job opportunities in the outdoor sector
• The YIN program is FREE. No boots? No problem! All supplies, gear, and transportation for trips can be provided.

Learn more about the program at www.rfov.org/YIN

APPLY HERE

Garfield County Outdoors is a proud Generation Wild community and is made possible through the generous support of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO).