On March 1, an adventurous crew of students and teachers returned from an 11-day excursion to Patagonia National Park in Chile and surrounding areas. It was an incredible and powerful experience. The adventure began with a 3-day, 33-mile trek through the heart of Patagonia National Park. Students faced all varieties of weather from freezing mornings to bright summer sunshine that inspired much needed plunges in glacial runoff. After exiting the hike in the Chacabucco valley, students shifted gears and joined up with Rewilding Chile for a day of restoration across the border in Argentina removing obsolete corrals and fencing. Dirty, dusty and worn out, the group drove south to set up for the 55 kilometers paddle on the iconic and powerful Baker river. The Baker delivered and the students confidently kayaked through beautiful big water and a few class II rapids. With waning daylight, the paddlers landed at the takeout at the confluence with the Los Nadis river and carried the boats up to the ranch house. Said co-trip leader Zach Byars, “The smells of a traditional Chilean asado filled the air and the group readily settled in to a cultural experience they won’t soon forget. “Our final stop was on the banks of Lago General Carrera where students spent 2 days and nights at the Alma Verde permaculture school and eco campground. Between permaculture lessons and discussion, the students lounged in hammocks, explored the garden, and let the magnitude of the trip sink in,” Byars said. It was a trip of firsts, and one that proved that our students are stronger together than apart.” The Patagonia trip may be the most distant place OVS students have ventured, but it is consistent with the goals and ethos of the school’s signature Outdoor Education program. At OVS, we strive to develop the intellectual and personal growth of all of our students – and Outdoor Education is a core part of that experience. The program on both campuses introduces students, grades K-12, to the stunning mountains, canyons, deserts, and beaches in the West, while teaching students how to respect and care for our fragile environment. Various age-appropriate activities occur throughout the year. Students learn to overcome real challenges that may be physical, social, organizational, and personal.
Learn more about the Outdoor Education program and check out our calendar of Upcoming Trips!