2004-2005

Outings TBD.

2003-2004

• The Young Explorers will go on a hike at the sand dunes north of Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge, on Saturday, November 22. Meet on the east side of CVCS at 9:30 a.m. Families welcome. Please sign up at the CVCS office. Remember to come prepared for the walk.
• Young Explorers will kick off their activities for the year with a trip to Manzano Hawk Watch Observation site on Sunday, October 12. Meet at CVCS at 9:30 a.m. on the east side. More information and a map are available here or at the CVCS office. For information on Hawk Watch, please see the Hawk Watch Web site. Be sure to come prepared for the walk.

About Young Explorers

Young Explorers is an auxiliary group with Cottonwood Valley Charter School which takes kids to unique, interesting sites in our area. This is a chance for families to learn together and mingle with other families from the school. Trips are generally led by a knowledgeable guide.

Trips in the past have included Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge sand dunes and labs, Three Rivers Petroglyph campout, Carthage ghost town tour, and Canyon Trail and Bosque del Apache. Everyone has seen new and interesting things such as fossils, wildlife, geological formations and sometimes exciting weather.

Group participation and exploration are highly encouraged. The trips are designed to engage a child's natural curiosity and inquisitiveness. Most of all, we want the kids to have fun outdoors and learn about the world around them in a safe and informative environment.

Young Explorers trips generally involve hiking and sometimes climbing. Hiking or tennis shoes are recommended. Water bottles are a must. Crush-proof snacks, sunscreen, hats, and bug repellent are also suggested.

Call Buster Marshall at 835-2875 if you have any ideas for future Young Explorers trips.

Bosque del Apache - May 2003

Water Canyon - October 2002

Valley of Fires - April 2002

Release form

What to bring

San Acacia (March 2002)

Carthage: 2 March 2002

Arroyo del Tajo

Rio Salado and Sevilleta NWR visitor's Center

Cottonwood Valley has initiated its outdoor education program, Young Explorers. Young Explorers is a voluntary extracurricular activity for all Cottonwood Valley students created by parents and teachers to encourage children to explore, be curious, ask questions and learn how to find answers to their questions.

The program strives to promote awareness and enjoyment of the outdoors while exploring the rich archaeological, geological and natural sites of New Mexico. Children are taught the importance of using proper hiking gear, safety on the trail, camping etiquette, and respect for the sites that will be visited. Families are encouraged to participate.

The first trip (December 2001) explored the rare pictographs and unique geological formations found in Arroyo del Tajo east of Socorro. The Young Explorers studied the rock paintings, and some children continued their research afterward by checking out books at the public library and searching the internet. The group then ventured into the canyon to explore the unique geological formations there, and discovered the nest of a large bird (hawk or eagle) that had fallen from one of the cliffs. The children analyzed the remains found in the nest to determine what kinds of critters the bird had eaten.

In January, the Explorers ventured north to the Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is normally closed to the public, but we were fortunate to have access for a few hours. The children were treated to time in the lab at the visitors’ center where specimens of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects were set out for the children to examine. In addition, there were numerous microscopes, allowing the children to view the specimens in new ways. Guide books and on-line computers enabled the students to look up the specimens to learn more about them. Dr. Peter Mozely, cartoonist and N.M. Tech geology professor, talked to the group about the formation of sand dunes while sand grains were displayed through a microscope onto a television monitor. The group then headed out into the Refuge to conquer the sand dunes there.

On March 2^nd, the group traveled south to the old ghost town of Carthage (between San Antonio and White Sands) to explore the fossil beds and abandoned coalmines there.  We learned about fossilization, erosion and how coal is made.  In addition, we talked about the rich history of that area that once housed thousands of miners and their families. 

The program expanded the second year to include more strenuous hikes in the mountains, desert hikes, and more camping trips. The program branched out to explore the many geological wonders in the area, and children worked with geologists to learn more about the formation of the Valley and the topography of the area. We are also asking for members of the community to join. Anyone who is interested in hiking or would like to share their knowledge of the ancient history of Socorro are encouraged to contact the school.

WHAT TO BRING

Each child must turn in a signed Release before participating on any hike.

• The following items are mandatory for all children on the hike:
• Shoes. This is perhaps the most important piece of equipment. Shoes should be sturdy, comfortable, light-weight and have rubber soles that grip. You do not have to spend a fortune on shoes, but make sure that your child is not wearing anything with open toes or flimsy straps. Most of all, they must be comfortable. There is nothing worse than walking with blisters!
• Hat. A hat with a bill is an essential piece of equipment because it protects the head and face from ultra-violet radiation. If it is cold outside, the hat will help the body retain heat by preventing body head from radiating from the head. A winter hat should be worn if the temperature is cold.
• Water. Your child should carry at least one bottle of water, preferably two. Dehydration is a serious risk in this dry climate and there are no sources of water where we are going. (Even if there is water, you cannot drink it without proper filtration.)
• Backpack. Each child must have a backpack. Once again, you don't have to spend a lot of money on one, and the backpacks generally used for school will suffice. If you do purchase a hiking backpack for your child, be sure to go to a reputable outfitting store, bring your child along, and have a store employee help you find the right pack and the right size. A decent pack with adjustable straps, a hip strap or sternum strap, and separate compartments for holding water bottles can be found for $30 or so.
• Sunscreen. Each child should bring enough sunscreen for the day with an S.P.F. of 30 or higher. Waterproof sunscreen is not necessary.
• Food. Each child should bring plenty of healthy, high-calorie, energy foods. The children will have to carry their food in their packs, so keep that in mind when choosing foods. The food should be light-weight, non-perishable, and not easily crushed. Examples: nuts and seeds (without the shells!), trail mix, fruit leather, granola bars, cereal bars, energy bars, carrot and celery sticks, apples, oranges, cheese slices, hard salami. Overpack on food; with all the fresh air and sunshine, the children are hungry. Please pack a ziploc or other type of small bag to put the trash in. They must pack out whatever they bring, including fruit pits and rinds.
• Proper Clothing. For cool times of year, children should wear long pants and layers of clothing. The first layer should be a cotton t-shirt. The next layer should be a long-sleeved shirt, then a jacket. Depending on the weather, you might also want to pack a pair of mittens or gloves, and a scarf. You don't want to overpack because your child might get too hot, or might have to carry too much, but you want to be prepared. BE SURE TO CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST AND PACK ACCORDINGLY.
• Journal and pen. A spiral-bound notebook and a pen are necessary for recording observations.
• OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT: Camera Compass Binoculars
• DO NOT BRING: Knives Guns Dogs