Where is High Trails and how are students transported to and from the campus?

High Trails Outdoor Education Center is located in the Montane Life Zone, 40 miles west of Colorado Springs.  Our 6000-acre property is bordered by the Pikes Peak National Forest, providing a unique learning environment of untouched Aspen groves and Ponderosa forests.  Transportation to and from the High Trails campus is provided by the school.

Where do students live while attending High Trails?

Our facilities include 10 heated cabins with modern amenities, including bathrooms, showers, and a fireplace.  Cabins have two sides, each with a capacity for 10 students and two high school counselors.  Teachers live in a separate, central room in the cabin as well.

What are the dining arrangements, and what if a student has special dietary needs?

Three full meals are provided daily, and the food is great!  Students eat with their cabin groups, food is served family-style, and vegetarian options are available at every meal.  We provide a well-rounded diet, with plenty of vegetables for lunch and dinner.  In addition, fruit is available at any time.  Also, our cooks are happy to work with students with allergies and other dietary needs.

What do students learn at High Trails, and how does it coincide with typical classroom learning?

Students rotate through a track of different Discovery Groups, our outdoor classroom sessions.  Each Discovery Group is focused on a topic related to the natural environment and human interactions with it, both past and present.  Science and history are highlighted, and students engage in groups like Prospectors, where they learn about local geology, the rock cycle, and the history of mining in Colorado.  Role-playing, group initiatives, experiential learning, and scientific experimentation form the framework of our program, and Discovery Group topics are selected by each school based on curricular goals.

Do students need specific outdoors gear?  What should a student be sure to bring?

Students should have a study pair of shoes or boots to hike in, layers of clothing to keep warm and dry, and a water bottle to stay hydrated.  Bedding, whether sheets or a sleeping bag, is great, although we also have rental linens here.  Look at the packing list to double check that you have everything.