Hiking Club

Class Description

In this 2-hour class, students will meet at VA, drive with Jen in her van to a local trailhead, hike for approximately 90 minutes, and return to VA. The hikes will be chosen for proximity to VA, to allow for maximum hiking time and minimal driving. Several of the hikes will be part of the Mendon Hike Challenge, a challenge put on by the Land Use Committee of Mendon. People who complete all 9 hikes in the Challenge receive a badge, and this class will help students work toward that goal. While most of the time will be spent moving along a trail, we will build in some time to play without making forward progress.

Class size will be limited to allow for safety on the trails. Students will be expected to stay within sight of Jen and the other instructor and must be able to heed directions from the adults. However, beyond those basics, the tone of the class will be “free-range, messy exploration.” We trust students to know their physical limitations and only engage in play that they can handle. They will be welcome to wield sticks, climb trees, stomp in puddles, and balance on fallen logs. Scraped knees will happen! Clothes will get wet and dirty.

In keeping with this tone, we will abide by the oft-quoted saying, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.” We will hike rain or shine, in cold or heat. Each student should bring or wear the following: weather-appropriate clothing, proper footwear, water, bug spray, sunscreen, a snack, and a backpack to carry their items. 

Please only choose this class for your student if they are physically capable of walking for more than an hour, and if they can handle the freedom we are trying to offer.

Schedule

Hiking Club will run session 1 (September 15, 2024-November 23, 2024) and session 3 (March 2, 2025- May 16, 2025 )

Wednesdays from 12:30-2:30 (leaving from and returning to VA)