This year, Poly’s Upper School Outdoor Education Program underwent multiple alterations due to weather-related safety concerns and logistical challenges. No trips were canceled entirely, but the Outdoor Ed team modified plans, requiring students to quickly adapt to unexpected changes.
On the junior Tall Ship trip, one of two vessels became unavailable due to delayed mast maintenance. With only one ship available, six students were required to switch trips.
For junior Natalia Aguilar, who initially signed up for Tall Ship but was asked to switch, the change came as a surprise, especially considering that this was her first Outdoor Ed trip experience with Poly as a new student this year.
“First I was really shocked because it was the last thing I thought would happen,” Aguilar recalled.
Some students, on the other hand, took advantage of the opportunity to explore other options.
“I didn’t want to leave until I found out that the one ship would be more packed, it would smell really, really bad. After I found out things about Morro Bay, it made me more excited about it because we get showers, you get to bring your own food, so I get to eat anytime I want,” stated Alex Pamon, who volunteered to switch to Morro Bay. “It was probably one of my favorite Outdoor Ed trips.”
However, changing trips also provided some difficulties due to the fast turnaround, with some students having only the weekend before Outdoor Ed week to prepare for their new trip assignment.
“My mom was kind of shocked about the change, because that meant I had to get a bunch of new supplies,” Aguilar noted, regarding her transition to the sea kayaking trip at Channel Islands.
For the students who stayed on the Tall Ship trip, faculty members noted their positive demeanor despite the sudden change to a single, more crowded ship.
“Those students were amazing. No one complained the entire time. No one said, ‘I wish we had done this.’ They seemed to just really have a good time,” reflected Upper School English teacher and Director of Outdoor Education Laura Marion.
One of the sophomore backpacking trip options, Escalante, also underwent changes when flash flood advisories delayed students’ entrance into Utah’s narrow slot canyons. The delay eventually led to the students only visiting the canyon for one night, Wednesday, instead of the original three nights.
“I think everybody was disappointed because we all signed up for a backpacking trip and to spend more time in the canyon,” shared group leader and Upper School Human Development Teacher and Coordinator Stephanie Monteleone.
However, similar to the Tall Ship trip, although there was some initial frustration, the students maintained a positive attitude.
“I was really proud of our students who were able to be flexible and adapt and be respectful of the situation, but also really stepped up and took care of each other and supported each other, even though the circumstances were not ideal,” Monteleone explained.
These last minute changes raise broader questions about the future of Outdoor Ed as climate patterns shift. There have been past instances where Outdoor Ed trips have been altered, so this situation is not unique. In Sept. 2021, the 9th graders were supposed to go backpacking in Sequoia, but due to fires, they were relocated to Catalina Island and El Capitan St Beach. The following year, Marion relocated the 9th grade trip to Big Sur after the environmental concerns from the previous year, but there was excess rain. The trip was then held back a day, so the group headed to Big Sur on Tuesday instead of Monday, the usual departure date.
On Outdoor Ed trips, balancing student safety as well as encouraging learning beyond the classrooms remain priorities for the Poly community.
“I hope that our environment doesn’t destroy our ability to do things like this. I hope Outdoor Education is not jeopardized,” said Marion.
