• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • The Harker School
  • Menu
  • Admission
  • Lower School
  • Middle School
  • Upper School
  • Summer
  • More
    • About
    • News
    • Alumni
    • Giving
  • News

  • The Harker News provides timely information, news and features about the Harker community to current and alumni Harker families.

  • |
  • General News
  • Lower School
  • Middle School
  • Upper School
  • Alumni
  • Summer
  • In the News

Students Enjoy Beautiful Weather; Breathtaking Sites on Grade 7 Trip to National Parks

January 9, 2013 by Debbie Cohen

Share this:

  • Tweet

Mother Nature more than cooperated during this year’s grade 7 national parks trip, bestowing warmer than average temperatures on Harker students and chaperones as they traveled to some of the country’s most scenic and historic sites.

The class journey began in late October, with students arriving in Arizona for the start of their much anticipated trip. The first stop on the agenda was Sedona, famous for its red rock formations. Students were treated to a Jeep tour, during which they learned about the area’s geology and wildlife.

  • Junior wins second prize in ENKOR music competition
    Read
    Junior wins second prize in ENKOR music competition

“The end of day one had us all resting comfortably in the brisk high country of Flagstaff, following our plane ride into Phoenix and an afternoon spent in perfect weather in Sedona,” recalled Lana Morrison, middle school dean of students, in the first of a series of email reports written during the trip.

The next day’s adventure began with the group leaving for the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. Students participated in an organized trust walk (listening to directions while walking with eyes closed) as they headed toward the rim of the canyon.

“The general public was curious about what we were doing,” noted Morrison. “Students took off their blindfolds and shouts of ‘wow’ and ‘awesome’ were heard from beginning to end! Onlookers smiled, cheered and wished them the best of luck,” she added, elaborating that students and chaperones later hiked Bright Angel trail, participated in a program with wilderness leaders from Academic Expeditions and learned about the Navajos.

On day three a trip highlight was the Monument Valley tour, known to many as “the eighth wonder of the world.” Monument Valley has been a significant place for centuries, and houses ruins that some believe to belong to the mysterious Anasazi people who disappeared from the area hundreds of years ago. The area is also notable for the fact that it is not a national park, but rather a Navajo park.

Morrison reported that another special activity that day was in Page, Ariz., at the famous Horseshoe Bend. After a pleasant walk through the sandstone, students took part in a geological lesson with Ranger Katie from the Glen Canyon Dam. They also learned how to make art pieces by using only what nature provided.

Afterward, the group drove to Bryce Canyon, where the temperature dropped to 48 degrees. Students were told to “layer-up” because they had plans to walk to dinner (across the empty parking lot) at Ebenezer’s Ruby Inn Cowboy Dinner Show. After dinner, they boarded buses for the Bryce Canyon Lodge, where they met Ranger Kevin for an evening astronomy presentation, complete with viewing the stars of Bryce Canyon.

Day five began with students and chaperones eating breakfast and packing lunches before heading off to Bryce Canyon National Park. There the group was in awe of the world famous Hoodoos (pillars of rock formed by erosion). They hiked to the Queens Gardens, to Bryce Point and up or down Wall Street (27 sloping switchbacks). Some groups walked the Yovimpa Trail to view the Grand Staircase.

After a fabulous day of hiking, the class stopped at Ruby’s for a short shopping trip before going back to the hotel. They later walked back to Ebenezer’s for dinner and a talent show, where students performed short skits about their week of adventures at the Southwest national parks.

The trip ended with the by now close-knit contingent traveling to Zion National Park to hike the Emerald Pools, Whistling Rock and several others trails. After their hikes, the students headed to Las Vegas to catch their flight home, filled with memories of their amazing adventures.

The grade 7 visit to the national parks around the Southwest was one of several weeklong middle school class trips held during the fall. Grade 6 went to the Santa Cruz Mountains, and grade 8 traveled to Washington, D.C.

You may also like

  • Two students receive Second Awards at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
    Two students receive Second Awards at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
  • Kudos: Sophomore pianist performs at Carnegie Hall
    Kudos: Sophomore pianist performs at Carnegie Hall
  • Spring Sports Athletes Honored at Senior Nights
    Spring Sports Athletes Honored at Senior Nights
  • [Updated] Several Students Receive Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
    [Updated] Several Students Receive Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
  • Clean Tech Team Wins Third in Alternative Energy Competition
    Clean Tech Team Wins Third in Alternative Energy Competition
  • Middle School Ticket Sellers Enjoy Day at the Bowling Alley
    Middle School Ticket Sellers Enjoy Day at the Bowling Alley
  • Harker Debaters Have Strong Performance at First Tournament of the Year
    Harker Debaters Have Strong Performance at First Tournament of the Year
  • Weirich finishes second at Stanford Invitational; alumna ties for second in UC links boost
    Weirich finishes second at Stanford Invitational; alumna ties for second in UC links boost

Related

Filed Under: General News, Middle School

Primary Sidebar

Search for Articles

Multimedia Features

  • Harker Research Symposium Video Earns Award
  • Into the Fringe: Conservatory Takes ‘Into the Woods’ to Edinburgh

Subscribe to Harker News via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Harker News and receive a daily digest of recent posts.

Delivered by FeedBurner

Trending Stories

  • Harker speech and debate takes first place at UC Berkeley tourneyHarker speech and debate takes first place at UC…
  • Harker teams place high in regional DOE Science BowlHarker teams place high in regional DOE Science Bowl
  • 2017 grad Colt McNealy competes at Ellie Mae Classic among golf pros and sports stars2017 grad Colt McNealy competes at Ellie Mae Classic…

The Harker Magazine

Published two times a year, The Harker Magazine showcases some of the top news, leading programs, inspiring people and visionary plans of the greater Harker community.

More Harker publications

About Harker

The Harker School is a non-profit, private K-12 school in Silicon Valley that has earned international recognition for its top academics, quality teachers and students' achievements. Founded in 1893, Harker is the largest independent school of its kind in California, with a dedicated campus for each of its divisions – elementary school, middle school and upper school – in San Jose, CA.

Learn more about The Harker School

Links

  • Harker Aquila
  • Preschool
    • Academics
    • Specialty Classes
    • Teachers
    • Support & Services
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Lower School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Support & Services
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Middle School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Support & Services
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Upper School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Support & Services
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
    • Admission
    • Summer
    • About
    • News
    • Alumni
    • Giving
The Harker School

Copyright © 1893-2015 • The Harker School • 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129 • 408.249.2510 | Contact Us | Privacy Policy

  • Follow Us!
  • Admission
    • Request Information
    • Campus Visits
    • Applying to Harker
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Admission FAQs
  • Preschool
    • Academics
    • Specialty Classes
    • Teachers
      • Teacher Directory
    • Support & Services
      • Extended Care
      • Food Progam
      • Libraries
      • Summer Preschool
      • Transportation
      • Safety & Security
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Lower School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
      • After-School Program
      • Athletics
        • Coach Directory
        • Athletic Events
      • Character Development & Outreach
      • Global Education
        • Global Relationships - Sister Schools
      • Performing Arts
        • Performing Arts Teacher Directory
      • STEM
      • Student Research
      • Visual Arts
    • Teachers
      • Teacher Directory
    • Students
    • Support & Services
      • Food Program
      • Health & Wellness
      • Libraries
      • Safety & Security
      • Transportation
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Middle School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
      • After-School Program
      • Athletics
        • Coach Directory
        • Athletic Events
      • STEM
      • Visual Arts
      • Global Education
        • Global Relationships - Sister Schools
      • Performing Arts
        • Performing Arts Teacher Directory
      • Character Development & Outreach
      • Speech & Debate
      • Student Research
    • Teachers
      • Teacher Directory
    • Students
    • Support & Services
      • Food Program
      • Health & Wellness
      • Libraries
      • Safety & Security
      • Technology
      • Transportation
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Upper School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
      • Character Development & Outreach
      • Performing Arts
        • Performing Arts Teacher Directory
      • Athletics
        • Coach Directory
        • Athletic Events
      • Visual Arts
      • STEM
      • Business & Entrepreneurship
      • Global Education
        • Global Relationships - Sister Schools
      • Speech & Debate
      • Student Research
    • Teachers
      • Teacher Directory
    • Students
    • Support & Services
      • College Counseling
      • Food Program
      • Health & Wellness
      • Libraries
      • Safety & Security
      • Technology
      • Transportation
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Summer
    • Summer Preschool
    • Summer Camp Plus: KinderCamp
    • Summer Camp Plus: Grades 1-5
    • Summer Institute Middle School
    • Summer Institute Upper School
    • English Language Institute
      • Program Details
        • International English Language Institute Brochures
    • Swim School
    • Summer @ The Conservatory
    • About
      • Eligibility
      • Summer Jobs
      • International Families
      • Summer Registration and Policies
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Philosophy & Mission
    • History
      • Harker's 125th!
    • Events
      • Family & Alumni Picnic
        • Admission Passes & Tickets
        • Alumni Guests
        • Schedule of the Day
        • Raffle
        • Silent Auction
        • Picnic T-Shirts
        • Donations
        • Sponsorships
        • Volunteer
        • History
      • Homecoming
      • Harker Concert Series
      • Harker Speaker Series
      • Harker Gala: Night on the Town
        • Community Sponsorships
        • Corporate Sponsorships
      • Harker Sports Clinics
      • Research Symposium
        • Student Abstracts
        • Corporate Exhibitors
      • Harker Alumni Gold Classic
    • Message from the Head of School
    • Board of Trustees
    • Facts & Stats
      • Student Achievements
      • Alumni Achievements
    • Sustainability at Harker
      • Nichols Hall: LEED Certified
    • Eagle Store
    • Staff Directory
    • Careers
    • Media Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • COPPA Statement
  • News
    • General News
    • Preschool News
    • Lower School News
    • Middle School News
    • Upper School News
    • Alumni News
    • Summer News
    • In The News
  • Alumni
    • Transcript Requests
  • Giving
    • How to Plan Your Giving
    • Annual Giving
      • How Funds are Spent
      • Gift Clubs
    • Capital Giving
      • About the Cornerstones Campaign
      • The Cornerstones Of Success Campaign: Phases 1-5
      • Gift Recognition & Namign Opportunities
        • Capital Giving Gift Clubs
      • How To Make A Capital Gift
      • Naming Opportunities
        • Performing Arts Center
        • Athletics Center
        • Paving Tiles
        • Bucknall Campus
        • Saratoga Campus
        • Policy
    • Endowment & Planned Giving
      • Endowment Policy
    • Volunteering
    • Donations and Pledges