JACKSON HOLE, WYO – In October Red Top Meadows students completed its Fall Wilderness Experience, which had the theme of community service and the importance of being a positive community member. Students paired up with the Jackson Ranger District Forest Service Trail Crew to work on trails.
The ultimate goal is to revive a multi-purpose trail that is referred to as “The Knob.” This trail will ultimately provide another option for the surrounding community to hike, trail run, mountain bike, horseback ride and hunt. It has been great for students to continue to work on the progress of previous years’ fall trips. The hard work has been making a positive impact on the community at large.
Each night the group gathered together around a fire and revel in the day’s hard work. Discussions about self-expression, gratitude, perspective and self-worth would be intertwined with typical teenage goofy antics. One night, some boys formed a make-believe band wearing hilarious masks a staff member had brought out. They took photos to use as album art.
Billi Harrington from the Art Association joined the team for two full days. She brought with her a message of using the natural world to creatively express oneself. The students used natural materials from around the campsite to tell a story.
This trip provides a valuable opportunity for our students to take pride in hard work and feel like positive members of a larger community; while simultaneously solidifying a camaraderie and finding connection with their immediate Red Top community.
Special thanks to Tim Ferris and the Jackson Ranger District Forest Service Trail Crew for their collaboration in making yet another Fall Wilderness trip a success!
