Orientation trips provide opportunities to develop skills, build community, and experience our state
Fall orientation trips are an essential aspect of Prep's experiential education program. To kick off the 2026-2027 school year, students traveled across northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, learned from challenging environmental conditions, and spent quality time with classmates and faculty leaders.
Freshmen journeyed to Agua Piedra Campground, where they enjoyed a 10-mile hike, endless games of pick up soccer, and delicious meals prepared together — all while weathering several downpours. Sophomores traveled to Santa Barbara Campground, where activities included hiking, swimming, cooking, and a memorable tea ceremony with Dr. Hill. Juniors selected from five different options: fly fishing, art exploration at Ghost Ranch, Bandelier & Jemez Falls, and introductory and advanced backpacking trips. From tying their first fly lures, to enjoying the cool waters of Jemez Falls, to hunkering in their tents at elevation while thunderstorms raged on, students made lasting memories and showed true resilience in the face of challenging situations.
In the Middle School, 7th graders traveled to 100 Elk Outdoor Center in Buena Vista, CO for two days of swimming, high-ropes problem-solving, and journaling, with an emphasis on team-building and self-reflection. 8th graders embarked on a brand new to Prep experience: kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on Abiquiu Lake followed by top rope climbing and camping at El Rito Campground.
We are proud of the meaningful peer-to-peer connections these trips offer our students at the start of each school year. Thank you to Director of Experiential Education Anders Fristedt for planning these experiences for our community, and to our students and faculty & staff trip leaders for their eager participation.
