San Juan River Experience
2024-2025 School Year
"Say that I starved, that I was lost and weary, that I was burned and blinded by the desert sun, footsore, thirsty, sick with strange diseases, lonely and wet and cold, but that I kept my dream!"
Our sixth graders kick off the year by spending five days in southern Utah with Navajo-owned outfitter Ancient Wayves. This is a culminating experience students work towards from the time they enter kindergarten and builds upon their fifth grade experiences at Teton Science School. Students spend their first night camping on the banks of the San Juan River at the Sand Island Campground, near Bluff, Utah. They then spend two nights three days camping and rafting the gentle currents of the San Juan River from Sand Island to Mexican Hat, Utah. Along the way, students explore Ancestral Puebloan ruins and pictographs--immersed in the ancient civilizations aspect of the social studies curriculum, the astronomical and ecosystem components of the science curriculum, and there is a strong focus on the language arts curriculum. There are also multiple math connections and a strong writing component.
Professional river guides supervise our sixth graders along with four EBLS faculty members, bringing the student to adult ratio to about 3:1 while we are on the river. All students will be required to wear Type V life jackets (which are provided) at all times on the water. Students will be assigned to boys and girls tents with five to six students in each tent and chaperones in separate tents nearlby. We chose September for this field experience for the lower, stable river flows, and cooler temperatures.
- Please fill out this RSVP form indicating if your student is participating or not.
- Complete legal waiver (this will come home on Tuesday, September 3rd)
- Complete Medical Form for Ancient Wayves--the outfitter.
- If your child requires medication, please complete THIS form. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Carolina or Kathy in the office. Please drop off your child's medications in the office one school day before we depart.
- Make a contribution on our Payments page. Use the fields in the right-hand column and select "San Juan Experience"--you can set up your contribution for multiple smaller payments or one lump sum. Our cost is about $550 per student for this capstone experince. The suggested contribution is $445 to $550. If you need assistance, please contact Mr. Justis. We do not allow finances to be prohibitive for any student to participate.
- Parent letter regarding overnighters and costs
- Rough Schedule
- Packing List (Tents and Life Jackets are provided)
- Packing Video
- If your child is taking medications, the SCHOOL MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM is required with the signature of the student's licensed health care provider. This includes all over-the-counter medications and vitamins, as well as prescribed medications.
If your child is prone to taking any pill, cream, or liquid medication, you may want to consider contacting your health care provider. Please bring all medication to the front office no later than the day before your student is scheduled to leave. A parent must be present for us to receive and count the medication. Over-the-counter medication and vitamins need to be in a new, sealed container labeled with their name on it.
Some examples are:- Acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.) - think headaches, body aches
- Ibuprofen (Advil, etc.) - think body aches, fevers, etc.
- Antihistamines (Benadryl cream, Zyrtec, Claritin, etc.) - think allergies, mosquito bites, etc.
- Cough drops - think coughs or sore throats
- Multi-vitamins or supplements
- Motion Sickness (Dramamine, etc.)
- Melatonin, etc. - think sleep aids
In order to best serve you, please make an appointment with Kathy or Carolina in the office to turn in the medication.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Carolina or Kathy in the office
Photo Archives
Tiger Wall. San Juan River. Photo: Eric Newell
Eight Foot Rapid. San Juan River. Photo: Eric Newell
San Juan River, Utah Photo: Eric Newell
River House. San Juan River. Photo: Eric Newell