Outdoor Education

The Academy augments its academic curriculum with a series of outdoor education events for students in grades 1 through 9. An appreciation of nature is a key component of the Park City Academy educational experience. Through a variety of outdoor activities, the Outdoor Education Program teaches wilderness skills, environmental awareness, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. 

Eric O’ Connor leads first through fourth grade students on several local day trips.

Mark Nuetzel, Outdoor Education Director, organizes overnight trips for Middle School students. They explore and experience the natural beauty of Utah's landscape several times each year. .

Sixth through ninth grade students start the year with a teambuilding expedition to the mountains of northern Utah.  This year we will be traveling to Logan Canyon ( September 5-7).  Sixth and seventh graders will enjoy a hike to the Wind Caves, exploring the ecosystems of Logan Canyon, and various team building challenges.  Eighth and ninth graders get to extend their trip with a gorgeous overnight backpacking trip to White Pine Lake.  Students will have the opportunity to hike through beautiful alpine meadows and enjoy living with what they can carry on their backs.

After Christmas break, students get to experience winter in the mountains.  Our winter expedition has been a favorite of many of the students.  We learn winter sports, winter survival, and how to enjoy winter in a fun and safe way.  When conditions permit, we even have students build and sleep in snow shelters behind the school.

The culminating expedition of the year is a desert trip to southern Utah.  During the 2006-2007 school year we traveled to Moab, wehre the students hiked through the Firey Furnace in Arches National Park, white water rafted on the Colorado River, and took a Hummer ride on Hell’s Revenge Trail.

Middle school students are evaluated on their performance and learning while on outdoor education trips. Students take home an ability to perform tasks relevant to camping, hiking, environmental stewardship, leadership, and teamwork.