Outdoor Adventures Home
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE!
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NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
WHERE EVERY GREAT ADVENTURE BEGINS!
Our after-school classes, day trips, and weekly programs spark curiosity, inspire teamwork, and create memories as campers connect with the outdoors and each other all while learning to care for the planet.
From thrilling adventures to skill-building experiences, every program at CS Outdoors, no matter the level, duration, or challenge, is designed to grow confidence, foster character, and ignite a love for the wilderness. Here, campers become nature stewards, learn survival know-how, and gain respect for themselves, others, and the wild places they explore.
Ready to make a connection with nature? Your adventure starts here!
Our Outdoor Adventure Program
is the cover story in the
June edition of the
Catalina Foothills Lifestyle Magazine!!!
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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!!!
Please carefully read each trip description, and if you have any questions before registering, feel free to email mgrodman@cfsd16.org. We can assist in matching your child with the appropriate trip based on their level of experience.
Participating in an adventure doesn't require being a professional athlete, but it does necessitate being an active person. A keen desire to learn, have fun, strong motivation, and a positive attitude are equally crucial for success!
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CHOOSING YOUR ADVENTURE: DIFFICULTY LEVELS 🥾
To help you find the perfect fit, we use a "Hiking Boot" scale to rate the physical and technical
challenges of each trip. Please review these levels carefully to ensure your camper is prepared
for the fun!
The Adventure Scale- 🥾 (Easy - Fundamental): Perfect for first-time campers! These trips focus on shorterwalks and fun activities. Campers should be comfortable being on their feet for 1–2 hours at a time. If you enjoy playing outside and are in good health, this is the level for you.
- 🥾🥾 (Active - Moderate): These trips are for anyone who enjoys being active and on the move. Campers should be capable of hiking for several hours with short breaks. You’ll need a baseline level of fitness to keep up with the group and handle elevation changes (like hiking in and out of a canyon).
- 🥾🥾🥾 (Strenuous - Advanced): These trips involve longer distances and more elevation gain. Campers should have some previous hiking experience and the stamina for full days of physical activity. You may be required to carry a heavier daypack with plenty of water and snacks.
- 🥾🥾🥾🥾 (Challenging - Expert): Reserved for experienced outdoor enthusiasts! These trips involve 6–8 hours of hiking per day over rugged terrain. Campers must be able to carry a 30 lb pack for up to 5 miles while maintaining the group’s pace. Prior backpacking experience is essential.
Is My Child Ready?
You don’t need to be a professional athlete to join us, but you do need to be an active person!
Success on our trips comes down to four things: a desire to learn, a goal to have fun, strong
motivation, and a positive attitude.Not sure which trip to pick? We are happy to help match your child with the right adventure! If
you have questions about your child's experience level, please email Mary Grodman, Program Coordinator, Guide
before registering -
GEAR NEEDS:
While every trip is unique, there are a few essentials eery camper will need (like a water bottle and sturdy shoes). A specific, detailed packing list will be emailed to you before your trip departs to make sure you have exactly what you need.
A DAYPACK to hold lunch, snacks, water & sunscreen. Day Packs may be available upon request.
A DUFFEL BAG if you are going on a trip with an overnight.
Two (2) WATER BOTTLES that hold at least 1-liter of water.
HIKING SHOES or BOOTS that have good tread. -
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KNOW MORE ABOUT CS OUTDOORS
- Everyone on our Outdoor Staff is fun, friendly, helpful, and sincerely interested in making sure that your camper has a great time on their trip!
- Feel safe sending your camper with Guides who have certifications in Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, Basic Water Rescue, Backpacking & Canyoneering and Safe Food Handling.
- Our staff is well versed about the geology, ecology and history of the areas in which we operate, and we enjoy answering questions and sharing our knowledge with your camper. We pride ourselves in having good equipment and taking care of it. We also work continuously to implement new and innovative ideas that make our trips even better and more comfortable for everyone.
- We keep our trip enrollment numbers small so we can put a personal touch on every adventure program. We strive to make sure everyone receives individual attention!
- Camp food will be abundant and delicious, nutritious meals are served throughout our 5-day trips and always with some help from the campers.
- We provide a pack list & itinerary for each trip, so you and your student know how to prepare for your program.
Our motto is Fun, Adventure & Education; Community Schools Outdoors can meet all your child’s outdoor adventure needs!
MEET YOUR GUIDES
M A R Y G R O D M A N
FOUNDER . GUIDE . PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Mary Grodman, Adventure Guide & Program Coordinator, is one of our founding staff of the OA program. Mary has been teaching classes and leading outdoor adventure programs for over 10 years! Mary has a degree in Environmental Science & Criminal Justice from Stockton University in New Jersey and is a certified backpacking, canyoneering and rock climbing guide. Mary has worked as a naturalist, on a trail crew and holds certifications in CPR, Leave No Trace Guidelines, Food Handling, Basic Water Rescue and Wilderness First Aid. Mary handles all the program logistics from making camping reservations, securing permits, ordering supplies and helps design the curriculum for each trip. She loves to GET OUTSIDE and is ready for another year of Fun, Adventure and Education with your camper!
J A K E B A L L
ADVENTURE GUIDE
Jake Ball, Adventure Guide, combines a love for the outdoors with over 10 years of experience in education. A former high school science teacher and is certified EMT, he creates safe, engaging adventures that emphasize Leave No Trace practices and inclusive play. Drawing from his background in sustainable, farm-to-table education, Jake brings a unique perspective to outdoor learning. Passionate about the Sonoran Desert, fly fishing, and fostering kindness, he looks forward to sharing meaningful outdoor experiences with every camper.
B L A K E H I N S O N
ADVENTURE GUIDE
Blake Hinson, Adventure Guide, is a teacher at Catalina Foothills High School and loves hiking, camping and recreating! He moved to Tucson from Colorado where he worked for Rocky Mountain National Park for 8 years. He has an undergraduate degree in Science from Colorado State University and a Masters Degree in Education from University of Northern Colorado. During his free time, he loves to run and bike. Blake is the Girl’s Cross Country and the Track & Field Throwing Coach for Foothills High School. He is excited to share his knowledge about the Sonoran Desert and all the great outdoor opportunities it presents!
A B B I E W E E K S
ADVENTURE GUIDE
Abbie Weeks, Adventure Guide, has spent the past two summers leading outdoor adventures across Montana and the Pacific Northwest, guiding teens on camping, backpacking, and kayaking trips. She taught essential camping skills and Leave No Trace principles while fostering confidence and community in the outdoors. Originally from the Northeast, Abbie discovered her love for nature through hiking and long-distance bike touring. Now based in Tucson, she enjoys exploring the region’s unique plants and wildlife and sharing her discoveries along the way. She holds Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications and is excited to inspire curiosity, connection, and a spirit of adventure in the outdoors!
M A C K E N Z I E F R I T Z
ADVENTURE GUIDE
Mackenzie Fritz, Adventure Guide, is an avid backpacker, educator, and outdoor enthusiast who loves helping others discover the joy of adventure. In Fall of 2024, she completed a solo thru-hike of the 800-mile Arizona Trail from the Mexico border to Utah! When she’s not exploring trails, she works as a speech-language pathologist supporting students with diverse communication needs. Mackenzie is passionate about connecting more women to the outdoors, creating beginner-friendly retreats, and teaching skills that build confidence and resilience. She holds Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications, and is a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200). Off the trails, you might find her enjoying local coffee shops, reading, or planning her next adventure. With every camper, she hopes to spark curiosity, inspire awe, and foster a lifelong love of the outdoors.
A L E X P I E R C E
ADVENTURE GUIDE
Alex Pierce, Adventure Guide, grew up in Massachusetts exploring New England’s forests, where Cub Scouts sparked his love for camping and wilderness travel. After earning his Eagle Scout rank at 18, he worked seasonally in national parks across the American West and found his calling as a wilderness guide, leading backpacking and llama-assisted expeditions in Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Zion. In the off-season, he traveled internationally, leading group trips and backpacking solo in remote areas of Nepal, Morocco, and Japan. Now based in southern Arizona, where he started his own home repair business in 2020, Alex is excited to share his passion for the outdoors and wilderness experience with the next generation.