Rachel Dahl
The Churchill County High School outdoor adventure class has become a transformative experience for students, offering an alternative approach to physical education that combines fitness, outdoor recreation, and conservation. The class is led by P.E. teacher and coach Anne Smith, who presented at the last school board meeting, sharing how she created the class, the unique ways the class helps students build life skills, and its impact on students.
The idea for the outdoor adventure class was born during the COVID-19 pandemic when Smith said she and her friends would spend time together on outdoor excursions during the lockdown. She said that those outings and their relationships had a profound impact on their physical and mental health. As she thought about their experiences, she wondered if such activities could also benefit her students.
Smith began researching and found a curriculum through the Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation, which integrates outdoor recreation and conservation with core subjects like science, math, and critical thinking.
“Instead of teaching PE with balls and rackets, we use rods and reels, bows and arrows, kayaks, and paddles,” Smith said. “It’s a unique approach designed to enhance physical fitness while also promoting mental health, social development, and cross-curricular academic success.”
The class launched in the 2022-23 school year with two sessions and roughly 50 students. The curriculum includes rock climbing, survival skills, archery, camping, camp cooking, geocaching, kayaking, and snowshoeing. Field trips have been a highlight, with students visiting Lake Tahoe for paddle sports, the Donner Tunnels for hiking, and Chickadee Ridge for snowshoeing. Local businesses have played an essential role in supporting the program, offering discounted or free equipment rentals and guided activities.
“One of the best things about this class is seeing students experience nature for the first time,” Smith said. “When the bus crosses up over the hill looking across Lake Tahoe and you hear a kid gasp because it’s their first time seeing the lake—it’s unbelievable. Moments like these make it all worthwhile.”
Several students spoke at the meeting, sharing how the class has positively impacted their lives. Junior Jenna Steins highlighted the skills she learned, including survival and camping, from building fires to cooking meals. “It also taught me how to budget, which will help when I’m in college,” she said.
Zachary Tom, another student, appreciated how the class introduced him to activities he had never tried before. “I wasn’t an outdoorsy kid, but now I’ve learned to kayak and even enjoy snowshoeing. This class gets us off our phones and into nature.” Photo below by Anne Smith.
For Michaela Taylor, the program provided access to experiences her family couldn’t afford. “I’d never been to Lake Tahoe before, but this class gave me the opportunity to see it for the first time,” she said. “It’s amazing that our school offers this to students.“ The class also introduces valuable problem-solving and teamwork skills. Students learn to build shelters, navigate with a compass, and prepare emergency kits. These activities boost confidence and teach students to collaborate and work with students from diverse backgrounds.
“The class is for everyone,” Taylor said. “It brings together kids who play video games, those into roping, and everyone in between. No one is excluded.”
Despite its success, the program faces challenges, including funding and limited availability. Field trips cost students a small fee, but Smith ensures no one is left behind due to financial constraints. “If a student can’t afford it, I cover the cost. It’s just not an option for them to miss out,” she said.
Demand for the class is growing, and plans are underway to add a second session to accommodate more students. Smith envisions expanding the curriculum to include activities like ATV safety, canoeing, and fly fishing.
The program’s success is a testament to the support of local businesses, the school administration, and the community. “This class wouldn’t be possible without partnerships with organizations like Clearly Tahoe and Mountain Top Sports,” the instructor said. “Their enthusiasm and generosity make these adventures accessible to our students.”
As the school board members congratulated Smith and applauded her program, Board President Gregg Malkovich said, “This program is exciting and inspiring—it makes me want to sign up for the class myself, this is a class I could pass.”
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