In the DSST/LHC Watershed Program, Students Experience Outdoor Adventure and Meaningful Growth Alongside Inspiring Youth Leaders. Written by CI Field Instructor Blaise Miles.

In this year’s DSST/LHC Watershed program, students from both DSST: Cole Middle School and three assistant instructors from Lincoln Hills Cares (LHC) explored a variety of activities in order to deepen their knowledge of water and watersheds. We white water rafted, fished in marshy ponds and stunning alpine lakes, learned to test water quality, and enjoyed all the thrills of first-time camping. Middle schoolers got both practical knowledge and intuitively learned to understand the patterns of water movement from their experiences on the rivers themselves.

When it came to the teaching, the real instructors were our three high school and college-aged assistant instructors, who brought with them a month’s worth of educational programming around water policy, regenerative agriculture, sustainable fishing practices, and planning. They did a truly incredible job building life-altering relationships with our middle school students in a way that no older adult could have achieved. As the week went on, they each developed a unique leadership style, uncovering a natural and confident teaching talent that will truly propel them into any future endeavor. Their immeasurable growth was well earned and well appreciated, as they deeply reflected and responded to each other’s feedback daily, continually planning lessons more intentionally that students increasingly loved.

Later, when asked what they learned on the trip, students almost exclusively referenced the assistant-led lessons, recalling how they’d learned not to take water for granted, how watersheds work, how to name and appreciate wildflowers, the preciousness of natural resources, and how to enjoy nature. Students adored them, often each claiming one assistant as their personal “lawyer” in any small conflict, and gravitated to their humor, energy, and warmth. One assistant reflected that before the trip, she didn’t think she was cut out for this kind of work. The students’ overwhelming admiration told a different story. By the end of the week, her reflection had transformed to something along the lines of “I am needed and wanted here, and this is deeply meaningful work.” Our assistant instructors couldn’t have expressed—or embodied—that truth more clearly.

The middle school students themselves showed incredible resilience and a growing appreciation of their surroundings as the week progressed. They supported each other with love in the ups and downs, able to recognize the difficulty and challenges of new experiences, then recover with laughter. Many had never stepped foot into a tent before, much less an inflatable raft meant to thrust them down class 3 white water rapids. They shrieked (and screamed) and laughed and dunked themselves into the ice-cold Arkansas River. They cried, then hugged, then self-reflected with astounding maturity. They encouraged one another to wade deeper into the marsh, to soak in the breathtaking, peak-studded view from Turquoise Lake. They cheered enthusiastically each time anyone caught a fish, and teared up hearing their classmates’ gratitude. They took on an unbelievable amount of responsibility, learning to cook from our assistant instructors, then offering to do the entire group’s dishes. They thrived in this environment, seeing themselves as powerful, helpful, loved, and funny. Many realizations emerged, among them: “I learned that I am a good leader.”

The program ended with many tears from all, and much gratitude as we soaked in the impact of a week immersed in new experiences. Each student earned a well-deserved paper plate award: They took home the Aspen Award, Blue Sky Guy, Rock Solid Award, Bracelet Fairy, Nature Baddie, Rooted and Reaching, Flower Girl, Watershed Award, and Campfire Connector Award. They walked away full of life, strengthened by new connections and a deeper appreciation for the world around them. For students and instructors alike, it was a watershed week—transformative, powerful, and unforgettable.

A big thanks to the funders and supporters who make this transformative program possible, including the City of Denver Office of Children’s Affairs, Climax Molybdenum, Lincoln Hills Cares, and the Walton Family Foundation.

If you too are passionate about getting students outside to learn about the natural world, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!