Eleven energetic children, and four fun adults, embarked on a great adventure in Utah on Monday, May 30. The summer excursion into Canyon Country lasted for 3 days, and 2 nights.

The destination was the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education’s new campus, the Canyon Country Discovery Center, in Monticello, Utah. The new center offers hands-on educational experiences about the Colorado Plateau through 30 different hands on learning stations, adventure education field trips, workshops, and professional development training. Opportunities to conduct research, citizen science projects, along with classes on the campus, and throughout the Colorado Plateau, are also available.

The four girls and seven boys, grades 3-6, climbed on the challenging bouldering wall, and explored the outdoor nature playscape, which offered musical instruments, rocks to climb, adventure through tunnels, and a huge sandbox to dig into.

The group participated in an ecosystem mapping activity, enjoyed viewing Jupiter in the night sky observatory located onsite, performed water test at Monticello Lake, created model landforms of the Colorado Plateau, and visited the awe inspiring Newspaper Rock.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to the rustic Line Camp Steakhouse where linens, fine china, and crystal glasses encouraged participants to use their best manners.

The Youth in Action expedition returned home, tired and full, but smiling and smarter, after a last stop in Cortez, Colo. at Burger Boy Drive-In for burgers, fries and shakes.