sage international school 601 south 9th st boise, idaho...
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Sage International School
601 South 9th St
Boise, Idaho 83702
(208) 995-0300
http://middleschoolatsage.weebly.com/olsen--outdoor-programs.html
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Alex Olsen- Director. Mr. Olsen comes to
Sage with over 20 years in the experiential
education field. He is also a certified
teacher in secondary Social Studies and
Language Arts, as well as being licensed to
drive school buses. When not planning or
leading outdoor trips, he teaches and fills in
for transportation needs everywhere in the
school. He is particularly experienced in
mountain biking, rafting, canoeing,
backpacking and telemark skiing, but has a
working knowledge of the other activities
Sage programs offer. In addition to these
outdoor pursuits, he is an avid world
traveler in his spare time, having visited
Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and all
over North America. Contact him at
206 524 3804.
Mr. Olsen doesn’t work alone, however. We are fortunate at Sage to have
many other experienced and dedicated teachers and staff that help him
lead, organize, and plan these trips. Not only does this help keep expenses
down, but we believe creates opportunities for our Sage professionals to
interact with students in an entirely different context, and form stronger
relationships between teacher and student.
Sage students backpacking in Hells Canyon, April 2014
After a very success launch in the fall of 2014, The Sage OutdoorProgram looks to continue and expand programming in Spring 2015.We will continue to offer high-quality weekend trips, as always (thoughmany more of them), and also offer weekly “Action Fridays,” moreadventurous “Super Trips” over the fall and spring breaks, and use theresources of the Outdoor Program to enhance the regular curriculum atSage. In addition, we will offer programming to a broader age range,offering half of the trips to students in 4th-7th grade, and the other half to8th-11th graders.
Weekend Camping Trips: The Outdoor Program
generally runs a weekend camping trips per month for each
age group. Destinations and activities are as diverse as the
Idaho outdoors: from rock climbing in the City of Rocks, to
rafting the Lower Salmon to backpacking in Hells Canyon, the
Outdoor Program offers Sage students an opportunity to turn an
average weekend into an unforgettable experience. Cost for
these trips typically runs around $150/student, all-
inclusive (scholarships available).
"Action Fridays": Nearly every Friday, the Outdoor
Program offers an exciting day-long option to Sage
students. Activities include whitewater rafting, rock
climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and much more. A
great alternative for parents looking for Friday
supervised activities for their children, and for Sage kids
looking for day-long high adventure! Cost for these trips
typically runs $25 for half-day activities and $40 for a full
day (scholarships available).
Field Trips- In addition to the recreation trips explained
above, the Outdoor Program works with the rest of the school to
provide exceptional academic opportunities to Sage
students. Whether it be a study of riparian ecosystems via our
small fleet of rafts to a study of snow conditions on snowshoes,
our Outdoor program provides the gear, safety protocols, and
transportation for Sage teachers to apply their classroom
lessons in the field, at no additional cost to the students.
"Super Trips": During the summer and through fall and
spring breaks, the Outdoor Program offers even more
adventurous opportunities for the students at Sage. These trips
are longer (4-6 days), and generally farther afield than the
weekend trips. Trips include surfing on the Oregon Coast,
backpacking in the Frank Church Wilderness, bike touring in
central Idaho, and canyoneering in southern Utah. Cost for
these trips runs between $200-$475, depending on the length
and type of activity (scholarships available).
* Dates and Locations subject to change
Nordic Skiing (Jan 9): Come see the other side of Bogus Basin and enjoy the fun sport of nordic (cross-country) skiing. Beautiful scenery, a fun new experience, great friends, and awesome exercise await. No experience needed, equipment and lesson by trained ski instructor provided. Give it a try! (Full Day, Tuition $40)
Yurt Trip- Bogus (Jan 15-17): We have reserved the beautiful yurt up at Bogus Basin for this weekend adventure. We will first get equipped at the Nordic Center with all our cross-country ski gear, then travel an easy half-mile and live in the lap of winter luxury in a toasty yurt complete with sauna! Over the next couple days we will have the run of the cross-country trail system at bogus to ski to our hearts’ content but also have time to build huge snow forts, learn about backcountry safety, and have an all-around great time. It’s the best of winter camping, but also sleeping somewhere warm and dry. (Weekend, Tuition $150)
Bogus Ski (Jan 30, Feb. 6): These trips take advantage of Bogus Basin’s fantastic “Lifesports” program, which offers a day’s lift ticket, equipment rental, and a lesson at a very low rate to students. We package it further with a ride straight to and from Sage and some supervision, and deliver it all at $20 less than it would cost for a single adult lift ticket. Students who have their own equipment/pass but just want a ride up to the mountain can jump on the shuttle for a cheap $15. So jump on the ski bus and have a great time this winter! (Full day, Tuition $40-$15)
Nordic Skiing (Feb. 13): Come see the other side of Bogus Basin and enjoy the fun sport of nordic (cross-country) skiing. Beautiful scenery, a fun new experience, great friends, and awesome exercise await. No experience needed, equipment and lesson by trained ski instructor provided. Give it a try! (Full Day, Tuition $40)
Miracle Hot Springs Overnight (Feb 26-27): A fun, crazy overnight trip at Miracle Hot Springs in Hagerman. We take off after school on Wednesday, stay in the heated domes at night, then spend the next day seeing the many exciting exotic sights of the 1000 springs area. It’s a lot of fun at an affordable price!! (Overnight, Tuition $60)
Rock Climbing (Mar. 6): The Sage Outdoor Program has partnered with Urban Ascent climbing gym to offer an inexpensive and fun way to get into rock climbing! We have the whole gym to ourselves to learn the basics of knots, belay techniques, climbing, and bouldering. Whatever your level of comfort with climbing, you will have a great time at Boise’s largest and best equipped gym. (Half day, Tuition $25)
McCall Activity Trip (Mar. 13-15): This popular trip from last year is a weekend packed full of outdoor adventure: including tubing, sledding, a hay ride with elk, enjoying downtown McCall, and lots more! We stay at the very pleasant McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS), and venture out from there to enjoy all this great mountain town has to offer. It’s a trip for any level of experience, and a great opportunity to hang out with your friends on a really fun trip! (Weekend, Tuition $150)
Spring Break in Canyonlands! (Mar 21-26): Each Spring and Fall, we pull out the stops for a really big adventure. If you have not seen the Canyonlands, you literally not believe your eyes at the mind-blowing scenery. We plan to visit the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Goblin Valley, and Arches National Monument, all near world-famous Moab, Utah. We will primarily offer day hikes to the various sites of different lengths, so all experience levels are welcome on this trip. Thaw out from the long winter in the toasty desert and take in some of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world! (Super Trip, Tuition $300)
Leslie Gulch paddle/hike (Apr. 9-11): Perhaps one of the most overlooked areas in the greater Boise area is the Owhyee Canyonlands. Its scenery is amazing, its weather delightful, and its potential completely untapped as a premier canyoneering, backpacking, boating, and biking destination. We will get a good sample of what this area has to offer, hiking a couple of the best hikes there, in beautiful Leslie Gulch, and going on a canoe trip to one of the best hidden (and just best) hot springs in Idaho. So come with us for a truly eye-opening day scenery you had no idea existed so close to Boise! (Weekend, Tuition $150)
Foothills Mountain Bike (Apr. 17): We have an incredible treasure in the trail system of the Boise foothills, and the Outdoor Program helps you take advantage of it! We will cart your bike up into the foothills for you, and ride down the thrilling trails with you back down to the school. A great intro to mountain biking and a fun time for all! (Half day, Tuition $25)
Hike- Owhyhe Canyonlands (Apr. 24): Spring is springing, and it’s time to get outside and enjoy the nice weather. Nowhere better to go than out into the banana belt of the Owhyee Canyonlands to get some warm weather, see some cool rock formations, and have great time! (Full Day, Tuition $40)
City of Rocks (May 7-9): Who knew that one of the premier rock climbing destinations in the world was only a couple of hours away? On this trip, we will camp in City of Rocks Natural Reserve in south-central Idaho, where we will be guided on several climbing routes by qualified local climbing experts. We’ll also explore the stunning local trails, enjoy delicious backcountry meals, and probably stop by the local hot spring on the way back! This trip is back by popular demand from last year, and promises to be just as fun and exciting! (Weekend, Tuition $150)
Rafting- Main Payette (May 15): Well, the “Main” is nobody’s secret, but there is a reason it’s popular. It has 5 solid Class III rapids, perfectly spaced to make it a fun, splashy, and accessible section of river. Though people of all skill levels float it all the time, it’s particularly fun as an introduction to whitewater rafting. We make a day of it, with a nice lunch, and plenty of time for swimming and learning rafting skills. Join the crowd and hit the river! (Full Day, Tuition $40)
Bike- Hulls Gulch (May 22): We have an incredible treasure in the trail system of the Boise foothills, and the Outdoor Program helps you take advantage of it! We will cart your bike up into the foothills for you, and ride down the thrilling trails with you back down to the school. A great intro to mountain biking and a fun time for all! (Half day, Tuition $25)
Rafting Lower Salmon, August 2014
Bogus Basin Ski/Ride Trips (Jan. 16, Feb. 20, 27): These trips take advantage of Bogus Basin’s fantastic “Lifesports” program, which offers a day’s lift ticket, equipment rental, and a lesson at a very low rate to students. We package it further with a ride straight to and from Sage and some supervision, and deliver it all at $20 less than it would cost for a single adult lift ticket. Students who have their own equipment/pass but just want a ride up to the mountain can jump on the shuttle for a cheap $15. So jump on the ski bus and have a great time this winter! (Full day, Tuition $40-$15)
Rock Climb Gym (Jan. 23): The Sage Outdoor Program has partnered with Urban Ascent climbing gym to offer an inexpensive and fun way to get into rock climbing! We have the whole gym to ourselves to learn the basics of knots, belay techniques, climbing, and bouldering. Whatever your level of comfort with climbing, you will have a great time at Boise’s largest and best equipped gym. (Half day, Tuition $25)
Boulder Yurt Trip (Jan 29-31): We have reserved the spectacularly beautiful Boulder Yurt near Ketchum, ID, for this weekend adventure. We will ski/snowshoe in a few miles and live in the lap of winter luxury in a toasty yurt complete with sauna! We’ll have the opportunity to pull some turns on the nearby slopes, build huge snow forts, learn about backcountry safety, and have an all-around great time. It’s the best of winter camping, but also sleeping somewhere warm and dry. (Weekend, Tuition $150)
Wilderness First Aid Course: The Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course will help you prepare for the unexpected. This fast paced, hands-on training is designed to meet the needs of trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals working in remote locations. It will introduce you to caring for people who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations. Taught by seasoned instructors in a two or two and a half day format, most WFA courses are held on a weekend. Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions. Come prepared for wet, muddy, cold or hot environments. (Tuition $150 for students, $210 for parents. Must be 14 or older.)
Sawtooth Lodge Ski Trip (Feb 12-14): On this trip, we will venture deep in the Idaho backcountry to venture to the Sawtooth Lodge. Not generally open to the public in the winter, this incredibly scenic lodge is nestled right against the Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness and offers heated cabins and a delightful natural hot spring. We will rent a snowmobile to whisk our equipment into the lodge, freeing us to cross-country ski unburdened along the beautiful snow-covered road into the lodge. While there, we’ll have the opportunity to pull some turns on the nearby slopes, build huge snow forts, learn about backcountry safety, and have an all-around great time. This is a great opportunity that no one else but Sage students get, so don’t miss it! (Weekend, Tuition $150)
Bowling! (March 13): Not really an outdoor adventure, but people love it, and we’ve been doing it for a while. Come with us to spend a winter afternoon on the lanes. There’s pins and bowling balls and your friends and just a goofy fun time. Why not?
Snowshoe Adventure- Mores Summit (April 3): Come out with us for a day of backcountry adventure near Idaho City! We will hike into the wilderness in a hunt for gorgeous views and a good time. Almost certainly we will goof around with some sleds, build a snow fort, and otherwise enjoy ourselves in the winter wonderland of our nearby mountains. It will be a great day in the snow! (Full Day, Tuition $40)
Sledding Fun/ Bonfire (April 10): This low-key adventure will take us out near Idaho City to have some fun sledding the local slopes, enjoying a blazing bonfire, doing some backcountry cooking, building some snow forts, and so on. It’s fun in the snow! (Full Day, Tuition $40)
City of Rocks (April 23-25): Who knew that one of the premier rock climbing destinations in the world was only a couple of hours away? On this trip, we will camp in City of Rocks Natural Reserve in south-central Idaho, where we will be guided on several climbing routes by qualified local climbing experts. We’ll also explore the stunning local trails, enjoy delicious backcountry meals, and probably stop by the local hot spring on the way back! This trip is back by popular demand from last year, and promises to be just as fun and exciting! (Weekend, Tuition $150)
Canyon Trip- Leslie Gulch (May 1): Perhaps one of the most overlooked areas in the greater Boise area is the Owhyee Canyonlands. Its scenery is amazing, its weather delightful, and its potential completely untapped as a premier canyoneering, backpacking, boating, and biking destination. We will scratch the surface on this day trip to hike a couple of the best hikes there, in beautiful Leslie Gulch. So come with us for a truly eye-opening day scenery you had no idea existed so close to Boise! (Full Day, Tuition $40)
Rafting- Main Payette (May 8): Well, the “Main” is nobody’s secret, but there is a reason it’s popular. It has 5 solid Class III rapids, perfectly spaced to make it a fun, splashy, and accessible section of river. Though people of all skill levels float it all the time, it’s particularly fun as an introduction to whitewater rafting. We make a day of it, with a nice lunch, and plenty of time for swimming and learning rafting skills. Join the crowd and hit the river! (Full Day, Tuition $40)
Rafting- Grand Tour of the Payette (May 21-23): Day trips not enough for you? Us neither! Come along for 3 days on the Payette system with nights spent soaking in delightful Kirkham Hot Springs and s’mores around the fire. Each day, we’ll tackle a new and exciting section of the South Fork Payette river, starting out with little-run Swirly Canyon (Class III), then the even-less-run but superb Grandjean Section (Class III/V) and then finishing up with the good old Main Payette (Class III). It’s an extravaganza of raftying we gaurnutee you don’t want to miss. (Weekend, Tuition $150)
Rafting-Caborton (May 29): A Payette River classic, the “Caborton” run is a superb Class III run on the North Fork of the Payette, south of Cascade. It starts out pretty mellow, but away from the road, so the animal viewing (particularly the birds of prey) is excellent. But things soon get splashy as the canyon narrows and the whitewater beckons. Several miles of nearly continuous Class III whitewater culminates with Class III+ “Howard’s Plunge,” a huge flume straight into a flat section that you’ll be talking about for a while afterward. Don’t miss it! (Full Day, Tuition $40)
City of Rocks, May 2014