SnowSchool Experiences
Strap on a pair of snowshoes to transform your classroom into a novel educational opportunity! SOLE has partnered with the Winter Wildlands Alliance to further develop their SnowSchool program to North Idaho, Eastern Washington, and Western Montana. Since inception in 2012 to present day, SOLE’s SnowSchool Experience program has received national and regional accolades for its innovative STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) experiential curriculum in the classroom, on school grounds, and out in the field in the mountainous ecosystems of the northern Rocky Mountains. During this intentional place-based experiential education program 4th – 12th grade students explore our winter wildlands on snowshoes to make sound academic connections related to snow-science, winter ecology, outdoor living and travel skills, and avalanche awareness.
Read more about SOLE's SnowSchool Experience curriculum and our partnership with the Winter Wildlands Alliance here.
Overview:
The onset of winter each year brings a unique opportunity for youth to be immersed in a unique natural learning environment, through our SnowSchool Experience SM program. SOLE administrators work with educators and youth leaders to address specific learning objectives to ensure that their program reaches beyond the norm. Simply put, our SnowSchool Experience SM program is not your average, run-of-the-mill outdoor education program, it’s grounded in evidence-based methods and a rich place-based experiential education curriculum. This foundation fosters an opportunity to create meaningful connections for learners resulting in a relevant educational experience for youth and educators alike. In addition to our award-winning, and nationally recognized experiential place-based education program for elementary aged youth, SOLE has partnered with Idaho Panhandle Avanache Center (IPAC), to extend our SnowSchool Experience SM program to include snow science and avalanche awareness programs for middle and high school-aged youth to include both on-campus Know Before You Go sessions and extended Fieldwork Experiences to get youth on the snow to develop and comprehend complex content. Watch the videos below for a look in to our elementary, middle, and highschool SnowSchool Experiences SM.
SOLE, and our program partners, aim to raise $40,000 annually to fund these intentional outdoor education programs. With your support, we can ensure that hundreds of underprivileged rural youth throughout the Inland Northwest have affordable access!
If you are a traditional school, home-school group, or after-school program that focuses on academics we strongly recommend that you also register for an on-campus “pre” and “post” classroom session facilitated by SOLE Field Instructors before and after visiting our Field Campuses. This will ensure that your students are prepared and equipped for their SnowSchool Experience SM and lesson objectives are fully met. In addition, if you work with a younger population our SnowSchool Experience SM program can be custom-tailored for your campus or at one of our field campuses. In short, educators and youth group leaders can rely on our stand-alone SnowSchool Experience SM curriculum or work with our team to align programming to target specific learning objectives, including alignment to Common Core, State, National, and Next Generation Science Standards. This, in turn, ensures that our curriculum meets the rigors necessary for 21st Century learners – and does so in an exciting and purposeful manner!
Elementary SnowSchool Experience in action!
Middle | High School SnowSchool Experience in action!
Public School | Private School | Home School Programs:
Days: Monday – Friday (although can accommodate if needed)
Dates: Mid-December – Mid-March (weather depending). See the SOLE Calendar for currently booked dates.
Times: 9 AM – 1:30 PM (Fieldwork Experiences) | TBD (Pre & Post Lessons in the classroom)
Location(s): We facilitate our SnowSchool Experience SM programming for school and youth groups at your school and/or the following locations:
- Schweitzer Mountain Resort | Sandpoint, Idaho
- Lookout Pass | Mullan, Idaho
- Mt. Spokane | Mead, WA
- Flatiron Mountain | Libby, MT
Grades: 2nd – 12th
Cost: Below is a pricing list based on location and program type:
- On-Campus Per 1/2 Day (up to 3 hours) – $15 per participant. 8 participant minimum. Groups larger than 25 receive membership pricing.
- Off-Campus Per 1/2 Day (up to 3 hours) – $30 per participant. 8 participant minimum. Groups larger than 25 receive membership pricing.
- Off-Campus Per Day (up to 6 hours) – $60 per participant. 8 participant minimum. Groups larger than 25 receive membership pricing.
Please note: Costs shown include teaching materials, access to SOLE gear, professional liability insurance, licensed and credential instructors, and logistical support. Schools and youth groups are responsible for providing transportation to and from site locations unless previous arrangements have been made. Incidentals will be billed according SOLE’s Fee Schedule.
Partial and FULL scholarships also available! Based on eligibility and available grant funding. Contact us for details!
After & Out-of-School Programs:
SOLE Mountain Field Campus | Schweitzer Mountain | Sandpoint, Idaho
Dates: TBA
Times: TBA
Location(s): SOLE Mountain Field Campus | Schweitzer Mountain | Sandpoint, Idaho
Grades: 4th – 6th | Session I TBA | Session II TBA
Cost: TBA
Dates:TBA. See the SOLE Calendar for currently booked dates.
Times: 10 AM – 2:30 PM PST
Cost: TBA
Silver Mountain | Mullan, Idaho
Dates: TBA. See the SOLE Calendar for currently booked dates.
Times: TBA
Cost: TBA
Lookout Pass | Mullan, Idaho
Dates: TBA. See the SOLE Calendar for currently booked dates.
Times: TBA
Cost: TBA
Mt. Spokane | Spokane, Washington
Dates: TBA. See the SOLE Calendar for currently booked dates.
Times: TBA
Cost: TBA
Please note: Costs shown include transportation and snowshoe rentals (for approved programs only), teaching materials, access to SOLE gear, professional liability insurance, licensed and credential instructors, and logistical support. Additional transportation to and from the field available for an additional fee (e.g., that which is not considered approved). Incidentals will be billed according SOLE’s Fee Schedule.
Partial and FULL scholarships also available! Based on eligibility and available grant funding. Contact us for details!
Examples of Themes | Lessons:
- Snow Science
- Winter Ecology
- Mammal Tracking
- Outdoor Living & Travel Skills
- Avalanche Awareness
- Outdoor Leadership
Overview:
Typically, most educators request a pre and post lesson from SOLE to cement lesson objectives and learning targets, including those concepts taught “in the field” . By providing clients our individualized and novel approach to program design and facilitation, student outcomes include accelerated academic comprehension, as well as, learning opportunities / activities well beyond the norm. That is what you can expect from a SOLE Experience SM. With supporting a positive learning expedition mindset participants work in concert to support over arching goals and learning objectives, grounded on the SOLE 4 Care Philosophy SM. This allows our days to be filled with fun and adventure!
Sample Daily Schedule For “In the Field”:
8:45 AM – Check-In with SOLE faculty upon arrival
9:00 AM – Orientation
9:15 AM – Warm-up game
9:45 AM – Theme-based experiential lesson(s)
11:45 AM – Lunch
12:30 PM – Theme-based experiential lesson(s)
1:15 AM – Wrap-up & share
1:30 PM – Depart SOLE SnowSchool Experience SM site
Please Note: All times are approximate and subject to change depending on your needs.
Where To Meet:
Our drop-off location will be based on specific course location. This will also be the designated pick-up location. Due to elements out of our control changes may be made if necessary. You will be notified if this occurs at our earliest opportunity.
“SOLE is a real community asset! Their SnowSchool Experience program provided the opportunity for Lake Pend Oreille School District students to experientially explore and learn about the natural systems at work in their own backyard. Without a doubt without the partnership with SOLE these youth would not have the opportunity to develop a meaningful relationships with the outdoors while addressing academic content in a fun and engaging manner.”
Follow the simple steps below.
- Click on the button below and complete the form. Make sure to enter when you would like to complete your free consultation call if you have not done so already.
- Complete/submit your School Contract for SOLE Admin.
- Complete student paperwork [waivers, media release, med form (if appropriate)]
- Set up transportation and accommodations for the program (if necessary).
- Review personal clothing and gear list and complete.
- Pack and head out!
