Belmont secondary is taking education a step further this year and that means venturing into the wilderness.

While the new outdoor education program, offered to grade 9 and 10 students, is still getting off the ground, teacher Dan Beattie said the response from the students has been great. B次元官网网址淚 know theyB次元官网网址檙e keen to get out there,B次元官网网址� he said, noting theyB次元官网网址檝e been working on building teamwork and trust closer to the school.

While students are B次元官网网址渕oving into the more adventurous phase of the program,B次元官网网址� Beattie said they are also learning about social responsibility, the environment and how to be prepared for Mother Nature.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a bit of a cross between environmental appreciation and recreation,B次元官网网址� he said. Activities the students partake in include everything from hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking to orienteering.

Since this is the first semester for the program, staff are still finalizing what the course will look like, but Beattie said he hoped to eventually add a multi-day trip as a wrap up.

While this program creates a number of unique challenges, one of the biggest is building a collection of equipment for the students to use. Beattie said the program is happy to accept donated items members of the community may find collecting dust in their homes.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 have a lot of gear yet,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking for anything, really.B次元官网网址�

Beattie said new or gently used items such as ropes, tents, hiking backpacks, compasses, canoes, kayaks and mountain bikes would be greatly appreciated and put to good use by the students.

For more information email dbeattie@sd62.bc.ca.

katie@goldstream

gazette.com