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Academics » Outdoor Education » Outdoor Education ProcessOutdoor Education ProcessDunn's Outdoor Education program is a four-year experiential curriculum modeled after the National Outdoor Leadership School. Dunn School was the first boarding school to be accredited by the Association for Experiential Education and is one of only a handful of schools in the country with this accreditation. The varied outdoor activities that students engage in over four years takes them into the wilderness with the aim of having them emerge out of it as leaders. A number of learning tools and techniques are incorporated to generate necessary learning. On all class trips students are placed in groups and teams in which they do not know each other as individuals or as friends from school. Groups are constructed so new friendships can form and so that students can experiment in a group of people outside their normal circle of support. Moreover, over the course of the four years students keep journals and diaries of their experiences, which are mailed to them only after they graduate from college. Other purposeful activities include "final fireside" and "burrito blowout" discussions, soloing in the wilderness and senior chapel. In the fall of every year students take a class trip for 5-13 days. Seniors also take a two week trip at the end of senior year as a rite of passage experience to prepare them for their next big step in life — graduation. Each class trip focuses on specific training and skill building and occurs in a different location. Freshman Fall TripA backpacking trip held in the Sierras introduces students to the outdoors. This trip gives the new class opportunities to bond through a challenging yet fun trip. The focus is on learning how to take direction from others, building a community and speaking publicly about experiences.Sophomore Fall TripThis course includes backpacking and rafting and reintroduces students to the backcountry skills learned in freshman year and sharpens them. The focus is on learning to coach peers, receive direction from peers and building mutual trust and respect.Junior Fall TripMany students see this course as the climax of the Outdoor Education program. Students have all the technical skills and class unity, and they are backpacking in the gorgeous Eastern Sierras doing peak ascents. The main focus of this trip is goal setting, achievement, and expeditionary learning. The class goal is for everyone to summit!Senior Fall TripHeld in the Sierras this trip encourages the students to get back into school mode and to think about what they want to accomplish senior year. Activities include rafting, ropes, climbing and day hiking.Senior Spring TripThe end of the Dunn student's career is celebrated by spending 12 days whitewater rafting on the northern California rivers. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing! |
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 The goal of the junior class trip is to get 100% of the class to summit a peak.
 Climbing is done on almost every trip and is offered at school as a team sport.
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Dunn School | P.O. Box 98 Los Olivos, CA 93441 (805) 688-6471 | Fax (805) 686-2078 | email: admissions@dunnschool.org |
