This story comes by way of The Sopris Stars, a new monthly youth publication powered by The Sopris Sun.
Clubs are a pivotal part of most students’ schooling experience, offering a sense of belonging to countless people. These micro communities are pillars of our schools, bringing like-minded individuals together to share ideas. Unfortunately, the value clubs bring can often be overlooked.
Roaring Fork Valley schools promote building community and respect, and clubs do exactly this — building strong relationships among staff and students alike. Glenwood Springs High School (GSHS), along with the other Roaring Fork Schools, offers a surplus of club opportunities that are deserving of recognition.
For instance, Club Aire Libre is focused on reaching the emerging bilingual community at GSHS. This group has two monthly trips between August and May each year. Members foster fluency and long-lasting friendships through exploring Colorado’s beautiful outdoors.
“Each climb is a lesson in resilience,” said Justin Meagher, one of the club’s facilitators. “Each trail is a sentence in a story about belonging.”
Students participate in activities from hikes up mountains to skiing down them, while developing stewardship and outdoor skills through new and unique experiences. However, they can’t do this alone. Teachers volunteer their weekends and rely on community donations for supplies. The longevity of the program is also made possible due to partnerships with Ragged Mountain Sports and Aspen One, so this club is able to support its mission.
Do you know of a club that should be highlighted in The Sopris Stars? If so, email youthnews@soprissun.com with details.