OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Day Trips
A wide variety of trips occur regularly, including; day trips, day hikes, climbing, river trips, swimming, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, peak ascents, and horseback riding. Each off-campus excursion provides an opportunity for students to test themselves and their personal development. Students enjoy the solitude of the outdoors, not to mention good, healthy fun!

Experiential Education at Monarch
Experiential Education serves as the foundation of the Orientation and Outdoor Leadership Program at Monarch. While similar, in teaching methodology, each specific program has its own unique set of goals and objectives. Intentional student-centered curriculum is facilitated to ensure that all students’ individualized needs are met, including learning styles and learning differences. The curriculum of each program is intentionally designed and facilitated in a manner to push students through self imposed limits and fears, while encouraging their true potential. Though the students may have anxiety for some of the experiences they face, the faculty excel at providing the support, trust and encouragement to succeed. See below for more information pertaining to each program.

Orientation Program
The Orientation Program is intended to serve as a transition into the Monarch experience. This includes developing a sound comprehension of the underpinnings of being a member of our community while simultaneously validating each individual’s pre-Monarch experience. During this portion of the program students explore various concepts that will serve as the foundation for later work and focus primarily on personal responsibility (e.g., being fully integral with oneself). The curriculum of the Orientation Program is grounded on interdisciplinary studies, including but limited too, experiential education, language arts and service learning.

Outdoor Leadership Program
The Outdoor Leadership Program typically consists of a 10 week program that serves to educate, expose and reinforce the underpinnings of personal and group leadership. This includes developing a sound comprehension through direct exploration and application of lesson concepts. Specifically, the curriculum fosters a working understanding and application of technical outdoor skills, leadership skills and theories. Curriculum is facilitated in a myriad of settings including the local backcountry of the Cabinet and Selkirk Mountains, the Monarch Challenge Course and Vocational Work Crews. Students typically state how much this experience prepares them for future endeavors both here and abroad.

Equestrian program
The monarch school equestrian program allows students to discover the many disciplines and personalities of not just the horses but themselves. The equestrian program allows for all levels of experience and ability. Students take on the responsibility of the horses during their time in the equestrian program. This includes feeding, cleaning stalls, exercising and managing tack. Our 14,000 square foot indoor arena and the 28,000 square foot outdoor arena plus jumping area provide ample space for Dressage, Jumping, Western disciplines and Vaulting. We also have trails throughout our 120 acres for pleasure rides and cross county riding. Though many of our students have never been around horses this experience teaches students to be responsible for others, push past their fear and build self confidence.

VOCATIONAL CURRICULUM AND WORK ETHIC

Students are exposed to many different experiences at Monarch School that assist them beyond their college years. Among these experiences are our vocational classes. These classes teach specific skills that require consistency and responsibilities.  Students learn to work hard, plan, prepare and work with others. All these qualities prepare the students for what life will expect. Students will find what interests them the most and can re-audit that class as a student manager in their last quarter. They also have an opportunity in their last quarter to volunteer or work at local businesses or schools.

The vocational curriculum consists of:

• Culinary arts
• Organic gardening
• Wood shop and Construction
• Farm management and animal husbandry
• Forestry
• The Equestrian Program
• Job Shadowing
• Community service