Middle School is when students begin backpacking on their Outdoor Education trips for the first time. Seventh-graders explore the ecosystems, history and culture of Montana de Oro in the fall and Joshua Tree National Park in the spring, learning to hike, rappel, climb and camp in the wilderness. Small-group activities balanced with alone time encourage both self-reliance and interdependence. Students build mutual trust, community and communication skills. They’re also introduced to journaling and self-reflection as a form of self-care in the outdoors.

In the fall, eighth-grade students experience the wonder of the world’s largest trees in Sequoia National Forest. They gain mastery around basic outdoor competencies like rock-climbing and rappelling, camping and navigation while practicing personal competencies like responsibility, going beyond perceived limitations and effective group dynamics. In the spring, students spend five days on a mini-expedition. They backpack 1-3 miles per day, examining diverse species of wildlife and the area’s rich cultural history while searching for spectacular natural pools.