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While the mountains haven’t gotten quite as much snow as we would like, students in Sandia Prep's Outdoor Leadership Program (OLP) embraced an exciting season of outdoor experiences! From backcountry excursions to downhill thrills, here’s a recap of this winter’s adventures.

January 9-12: The Eighth-Grade Chama Winter Experience kicked off the season with students exploring the beauty of the Cumbres Pass on cross-country skis. 
January 15-18: Senior Camping Associates (CAs) embarked on the Senior Yurt Trip, embracing tradition, the challenge of winter camping, and backcountry skiing. Participants enjoyed the physical struggle, creating new memories, and sharing old ones about their time as CAs at Prep. 
January 25 & February 22: Ski Club hit the slopes, giving students and parents the chance to refine their skills and enjoy the snow. 
February 7-9: The Upper School Downhill Trip brought exhilarating runs and great camaraderie throughout the weekend in Durango. 
February 15-17: CAs Cross Country Ski in Chama united cross-country skiing enthusiasts for a weekend of endurance and scenic trails. Everyone learned new skills and tested them out in some deep snow conditions on the first day and on a beautiful cross-country racecourse the second day. 
February 28th-March 2nd: Middle schoolers wrapped the OLP winter season with the Middle School Downhill Trip, a fun-filled weekend of skiing and snowboarding in Durango.

Whether on skis, snowboards, or backcountry treks, these experiences provided students with adventure, challenge, and unforgettable memories.

Throughout the year, OLP students experience adventures that allow them to know and appreciate the outdoors while learning problem solving, teamwork, planning, and leaderships skills that will last a lifetime. Our students return from these trips having grown in confidence and respect for each other and the outdoors.

There are OLP trips at every grade level – more than 23 a year. During these trips, students focus their attention on the following:

• Responsibility: No-trace camping and mindfulness of human impact on wilderness areas
• History, ecology, and geology of the area: Much of the learning takes place as a result of student-generated questions and discussion
• Interpersonal communication: Effective communication is prompted by the group dynamics that occur in an outdoor environment; real-time learning stresses responsibility, empathy, compassion, and cooperation
• Outdoor skills: Advanced skills are gained in backpacking, canoeing, rock-climbing, and cross-country skiing

You can learn more here.