The outdoor classroom provides a diverse physical setting that allows students to learn geology by studying rock strata and fossils, astronomy by looking into the clear night skies, biology through study of local plants and animals. It facilitates positive personal growth while enabling students to relate knowledge from books to real life experiences. T he curriculum focuses on English, Social Studies, General Science, and Physical Education. Students must complete written educational modules, in addition to experiential activities, in order to receive credits.
All credits earned are transferable to the student's home school.
A spen's curriculum, with its experiential approach, teaches students personal responsibility and provides students with the opportunity for a successful educational experience. Students graduate from Aspen with a renewed sense of hope and enthusiasm for the learning process. This enables them to go on to other learning environments with the groundwork laid for continued academic growth and success. This is accomplished through the use of experiential education and therapy in an outdoor setting. T he wilderness experience serves the purpose of acting as a major catalyst in initiating the therapy process.