GateWay Mountain Center
Connecting People to Nature
Environmental Education Program at Clair Tappaan Lodge
The Sierra Club’s Clair Tappaan Lodge now has an Environmental
Education program in place. The program is organized and operated
by the GateWay Mountain Center under the leadership of Peter Mayfield. Activities
and excursions can be organized for students ranging in age from fourth
grade through college. Curriculum content can be customized in
collaboration with the visiting teacher. Pre-trip materials will be
provided so the teacher and students can prepare for the program in
advance.
Our Place-Based Education program is organized around four learning
topics:
Human History
The human history of the High Sierra becomes real as students study ancient
petroglyphs, and struggle up the Emigrant Trail at Donner Pass. They explore
some of the historic tunnels built by Chinese laborers for the Transcontinental
Railroad and wonder at the skill needed to construct the famous “China Wall.” They
follow the old stagecoach road and study a billboard engraved in granite. Explorations
are highlighted by shared readings from Native American stories, emigrant
tales, and railroad history. Options include visiting the Donner Memorial
Museum in Truckee and/or the Emigrant Museum at Big Bend.
California Education Framework Reference:
Grade 4: California A changing State,
Grade 5: US History and Geography; Making a New Nation
Grade 8: US History and Geography; Growth and Conflict
Natural History
Trained
guides present the natural history of the High Sierra in
a series of group activities as students hike along beautiful wooded
trails. Students work together to identify a tree using a dichotomous
key. Each
student becomes an “expert” on one plant and introduces it
to fellow team members. Even the rocks come alive as the naturalist has
everyone ponder the geologic formations of the area. As students
study the ecology of the High Sierra, they gain a deep respect and love
for this amazing natural environment. Options include a visit
to the University of California Snow Science Lab in Soda Springs, or
the UC Sagehen Creek Field Station. We can also arrange access to lab
equipment.
California Education Framework Reference
Grade 4: Life Sciences, Earth Sciences –Rocks and Minerals,
Waves, Wind, Water and Ice
Grade
5: Life Sciences, Earth Sciences – Water, Weather
Grade 6: Earth
Sciences – Plate Tectonics and Earth’s
structure, Shaping Earth’s Surface, Energy in the Earth’s
system, Ecology (Life Sciences), Resources.
Grade 7: Evolution, Earth
and Life History
Grade 8: Chemistry of living
systems.
Grade 9-12 Biology/Life Sciences,
Chemistry, Dynamic Earth Processes, Energy in the Earth System, California
Geology, Watersheds.
Adventure & Youth Health
Peter Mayfield
is a world-renowned rock climber. The GateWay teaching staff includes
many top mountain athletes. This program offers
students a fabulous outdoor adventure as well as an unforgettable educational
experience. Students will be challenged to exert themselves and build
their physical strength and endurance, their mental focus and concentration,
and their emotional spirit and confidence.
Adventures may include:
Swimming in a mountain lake (under lifeguard supervision)
Hiking
Mountain biking
Rock climbing
Flat Water Kayaking
Snowshoeing
Cross-country skiing
Snowboarding (resort and backcountry)
Downhill Skiing
Teambuilding
All activities are conducted in small groups under
the leadership of a trained naturalist/mountain guide. Students must use teamwork
to overcome challenges and to help each other in difficult situations.
They also work as a team to plan the evening campfire activities. During
the course of the program students bond with one another and learn to
value one another as unique individuals. Friendships are formed
and a real sense of camaraderie is established that persists long after
the program ends.
Location
Clair
Tappaan Lodge, the Sierra Club's much-beloved flagship lodge in California's
Tahoe National Forest, was built by a dedicated group of volunteers
in 1934. Nestled in the High Sierra near Donner Summit at an
elevation of approximately 7,000 feet, Clair Tappaan offers a
beautiful mountain retreat for summer adventurers and snow enthusiasts
alike. A network of nearby trails offers miles of
hiking and provides access to fishing streams, remote meadows and peaks,
and crystal clear lakes. The well-known Pacific Crest Trail is
only a mile away and can be reached right out the back door of the Lodge. The
Lodge is on the edge of the Lake Tahoe basin, with Tahoe itself only
25 miles away. The
Donner Summit area is great for both road and mountain biking and is
also widely known as a rock climbers' mecca. In winter the Lodge is
a favorite with cross-country ski and snowshoe enthusiasts.
Clair Tappaan
Lodge is ideal for school groups. There are plenty of spaces for gathering.
The huge backyard features volleyball and soccer areas, as well as a
campfire pit. A spacious living room and cozy library provide quiet locations
for students to relax after a day of outdoor adventure.
Bunk-style
accommodations include large single-gender dorms and smaller group rooms. Guests
must bring their own sleeping bags or bedding. Bathrooms
are shared.
Professional chefs cook hearty breakfasts and dinners that are served
family style in the dining room. Guests prepare their own brown-bag
lunches from plentiful and varied ingredients. Vegetarian options are
available for all meals.
The small, friendly, and professional
staff serves guests as needed. To maintain the communal spirit in which
the Lodge was fashioned, each guest pitches in daily by doing a simple
chore.
Cost of the Program:
All rates include accommodations and three meals:
$40 per participant per night.
Guiding Program:
$45-$60 per person per day, depending on group size.
Schools must provide their own transportation to and from the Lodge.
Note: Schools with a high proportion of low-income families may
request funding to cover a significant portion of the program expense
as well as transportation to and from the Lodge.
For More Information contact: |
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| Peter Mayfield | 888-508-2629 |
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| Jane Risk | 415-586-4549 |