VVES Students Explore Zion On Field Trip

By AMY DAVIS

The Progress

School field trips are always a highly anticipated event. But 5th graders at Virgin Valley Elementary truly look forward to their excursion to Zion National Park. From September 26-30, VVES 5th grade classes took turns each day riding a charter bus to Zion for the “Concrete to Canyons” environmental education program.

Each class got to spend a fun-filled day exploring, learning, and playing games in and around the 2,000-foot-high sandstone cliffs.

Concrete to Canyons is an award-winning program started in 2013 and VVES has been right there to participate ever since its inception.

The program focuses on bringing 5th grade students throughout the region to Zion National Park. Originally was a three-day event where students could learn to camp in the park. COVID protocols put an end to the extended experience, dropping it to a one-day event.

The most common question I get from 5th graders in August is always, ‘Are we going to Zion this year?’” said VVES Principal Matt Bennett.

Bennett said that the Concrete to Canyon Educational Program is top notch. “They are just amazing to work with and it is a highlight event for the kids,” he said.

The field trip program is paid for by the Zion Forever Project, a group who wants to preserve Zion forever. “The only year we weren’t able to take the students was when COVID hit in 2020,” Bennett said. “Last year CCSD allowed us to restart the program, but as a one day 11-hour event.”
This year was similar. Students left at 7 am and got home at 6 pm.

VVES teacher Julie Kuran was lucky enough to be one of the 5th grade teachers able to attend the field trip.
“I get emotional just thinking about this trip,” Kuran said. “It was an amazing opportunity for our kids. It was so well run!”

Kuran said that the students were kept engaged throughout the entire day.
“For a lot of these kids, this was their very first time at a national park,” Kuran said. “All the kids wanted to know how to become a park ranger. The rangers took the time to explain every single job that park rangers do and the different paths that one can take to work as a ranger.”

Kuran was impressed that they rangers encouraged the kids to continue their education. “They told the kids that they needed to stay in school and go on to college to get a 4-year degree, because every ranger is also an educator,” Kuran said.

“It was one of the best field trips I have ever been on as a teacher, or even as a student!” Kuran added. “The kids just had so much fun.”

What did 5th grader Frankie Davis think about the trip? “Zion was beautiful!” she exclaimed. “There was nice weather and cool animals. I learned about a lot of different things like: California Condors and water from ages ago. It was amazing! We even saw Big Horn Sheep!”

The Zion National Park Forever project supports the Concrete to Canyons program. Their mission is to cultivate a love for the great outdoors and to teach students to become stewards of the land so that the beauty of the park can be enjoyed for generations to come.