Flexibility for weather conditions, bus problems, etc…is essential to having an enjoyable visit to the park. No two school programs are exactly alike, but the following schedule represents a typical trip.
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Travel to the Park
Simple assignments can be completed by seatmates or individuals during this time. Point out sights along the way that relate to the park story such as previously burned areas and changes in plant communities along the highways and as you look from the base of the mountains to the summits. You may also want to review vocabulary words or ecological concepts.
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Meet the Park Rangers
Bathrooms, snack, and an introduction to the day. Rangers and students will discuss fire and the fire triangle before traveling to the trailhead.
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Hike the Trail
Classes will be split into two groups and one ranger will go with each group. Rangers will stop along the trail to involve the students in short activities to learn about the fire triangle, forest succession, adaptations of plants and animals to fire, and other fire ecology topics.
12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch, Bathrooms, and Clean-Up
1:00 - 1:30 p.m. - Wrap-Up
Ranger(s) review the educational objectives for the day and engage all of the students in activities to assess their learning.
1:30 - 1:45 p.m. - Bus Leaves the Park
