FRC:ORL Partnership

Outdoor Recreation Programs Collaborate
Posted on 06/03/2022
Outdoor Education students had a mutli-sport day of kayaking to FRC to launch kayaks, paddled down to Oakland Camp and then biking back to school. Photo by Courtney Gomola.

In a mountain community with an abundance of outdoor activities, you’ll find people of all ages that are interested in outdoor recreation. Feather River College and Plumas Charter School decided to join their programs together to benefit their students. The spring-semester activities included trail hikes, orienteering, rock-wall climbing, biking and kayaking.

Courtney Gomola, PCS’ Outdoor Education Coordinator, works with Saylor Flett from FRC’s Outdoor Recreation Leadership program to develop these activities. The collaboration gives college students opportunities to practice leading youth and provides recreation experiences for seventh through tenth-grade students. “Our PCS students and instructors have access to gear and activities we wouldn’t be able to provide otherwise and FRC students are able to hone their field-instruction skills in a supportive environment before using them in summer and post-FRC jobs,” said Gomola. 


This partnership offers an opportunity for PCS students to build connections and familiarity with the instructors and students from FRC. This year, Sofia Santos worked as an intern for the partnership, leading and coordinating events. The internship is credit for her Directed Field Studies class. 


The partnership utilizes repeated field trips to allow students exposure to ORL in junior high, deeper connections and more involvement in high school and finally a chance to earn credit toward an ORL degree in their junior and senior years. “It's an awesome way for students to get technical skills training in a hands-on and super fun setting, while also allowing exposure to post-secondary career and education paths,” said Gomola.

By Rachel Goings, Public Relations Specialist 
[email protected]

_______________________________________
In the photo: Outdoor Education students had a multi-sport day of kayaking to FRC to launch kayaks, paddled down to Oakland Camp and then biking back to school. Photo by Courtney Gomola.