Where every great adventure starts!
Our after school classes, daytrips, and weekly programs challenge campers to make a more meaningful connection with the outdoors and each other while treading lightly on the planet.
Each program, no matter the level, length, or difficulty works to build character, confidence, wilderness survival skills, environmental stewardship, a respect for others and the outdoors.
Our Outdoor Adventure Program is the cover story in the June edition of the
Catalina Foothills Lifestyle Magazine!!!
Take a look!
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FALL PROGRAMS
ENROLL NOW AT CS.CFSD16.ORG
Peppersauce Caving
Caving is an outdoor adventure you don’t want to miss! Spend your half day of school exploring the underground wonders of Peppersauce Cave. See cool cave formations, an underground lake, and shimmy your way through the rabbit hole! Learn why it is important to protect these natural wonders. Please wear very old clothes (you will get extremely muddy), wear shoes with good tread that can get dirty, bring a flashlight, change of clothes & shoes, garbage bag, lunch and plenty of water! Helmets and headlamps will be provided. Please only register for your school’s date.
Difficulty level: 2 Caving is like hiking on all fours!
Guide: Mary Grodman
Fee: $75.00
6-8th Grade - October 2, 2024 - 11:00am-5:00pm - Field Trip will leave from your Middle School and return to Catalina Foothills High School.
9-12th Grade - October 4, 2024 - 12:00-6:00pm - Field Trip will leave from and return to Catalina Foothills High School.
CV/VV 3-5th Grade - October 22, 2024 - 11:30am-5:30pm - Field Trip will leave from your Elementary School and return to Catalina Foothills High School.
MZ/SD 3-5th Grade - October 23, 2024 - 11:30am-5:30pm - Field Trip will leave from your Elementary School and return to Catalina Foothills High School.
San Pedro River Hike
Join CS Outdoors for an Adventure to the San Pedro River! This isn't just any field trip—it's a journey back in time and a chance to explore one of Arizona's most unique natural treasures! On our River Hike we will visit the Millville Petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings made by indigenous peoples thousands of years ago. As we hike along the trail, you'll get to see these amazing artworks up close. The San Pedro Valley is a special place, home to Arizona's last free-flowing desert river, a vital water source for the area’s plants and animals. We will keep our eyes peeled—we might spot some of the hundreds of bird species that live here, from local favorites to migratory visitors. Enjoy a day of hiking and exploring in one of Arizona’s most beautiful and historically rich areas. Let's go on an unforgettable journey through time and nature this Fall Break!
Hiking Level: 2
Grades: 3-7 Dates: Monday, October 7, 2024 Time: 8:00am-4:00pm
Guides: Mary Grodman & Polly Tanner
Fee: $80.00
Mt. Lemmon Hike & Fish
Let’s head out for a day of hiking and fishing in Southern Arizona's Sky Islands. The Santa Catalina Mountains are a perfect range to see the biodiversity that exists from Mexico to Canada all in one day! We will learn outdoor survival skills, observe wildlife, identify plants and animals and fish at Rose Canyon Lake! Get your hiking gear out, bring plenty of water, snacks & a lunch and wear shoes with good tread. Fishing Poles will be provided! Field trips will leave from Catalina Foothills High School.
Hiking Level: 2
Grades: 2-6 Dates: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Guides: Mary Grodman & Polly Tanner
Fee: $80.00
Salt River Campout!
2-3 mile hikes daily, 500-1000 ft in elevation change. Minimal physical exertion sustained for short periods of time. Supportive soled shoes required. No flat soled shoes permitted.
Suitable for those with beginning outdoor experiences.
3-7th graders join CS Outdoors for another fun adventure during Fall Break, October 9-11, 2024!
Join CS Outdoors for an unforgettable Fall Break Adventure Camp at the scenic Salt River and Saguaro Lake outside of Phoenix! This three-day camp is packed with thrilling outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing and stargazing. Campers will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful desert landscapes, learn essential wilderness skills, and enjoy fun campfire evenings with new friends. Experience the adventure of a lifetime this fall break! Sign up now to secure your spot and make lasting memories with us in the great outdoors.
A detailed pack list will be sent out prior to departure. Tents, food, entrance fees and transportation provided.
Trip departs from CFHS at 9:00 am on Wednesday and returns by 4:00 pm on Friday.
Hiking Level: 2
GUIDES: Mary Grodman and Polly Tanner
DATES: - October 9 - 11, 2024
GRADES: 3 - 7
FEE: $345
Tanque Verde Falls Hike
Join us for an adventurous half day hike to Tanque Verde Falls, one of Tucson's hidden gems! Nestled in the scenic Rincon Mountains, this trail offers a perfect mix of rugged desert landscapes and refreshing water features. Our hike will take us through a picturesque canyon, where we'll encounter towering rock formations, lush desert vegetation, and a beautiful waterfall. Along the way, our experienced guides will share insights into the local flora, fauna, and geology, ensuring a fun and educational experience for hikers.
Don't forget to pack plenty of water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, and a camera to capture the breathtaking views! Whether you're looking for a way to cool off your toes or simply enjoy a peaceful day in nature, the Tanque Verde Falls hike is an experience not to be missed!
A pack list and permission form will be emailed out prior to departure!
Field Trip will leave from your Middle School and return to Catalina Foothills High School.
Hiking Level: 2
Grades: 6-8 Dates: Thursday, October 24, 2024 Time: 11:00am-4:30pm
Guides: Mary Grodman & Polly Tanner
Fee: $60.00
Geocaching Workshops
Join us for this fun half day workshop! Join CS Outdoors and learn to Geocache! We will learn what is a geocache, how to locate caches to find online, the etiquette of caching, how to program a GPS and use the online app to find hidden treasure near your school today! We will spend some time in the classroom, enjoy our lunch and then head out in our CS Van on our hunt to nearby neighborhoods and parks! So if you are looking for a fun way to exercise both mind and body, come give geocaching a try in this 1 day workshop! Pick Up & Drop off at your school. Please only register for your school’s date.
Hiking Level: 1
Canyon View - Monday, October 28, 2024
Ventana Vista - Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Manzanita - Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Sunrise Drive - Thursday, October 31, 2024
Time: 11:30-am-3:00pm
Orange Grove & Esperero Canyon - Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Time: 11:00am-2:30pm
Fee: $40.00
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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!
GEAR NOTES:
Here are some essential gear items that campers will need for all our Adventure Programs. Prior to departure, we will email you with specific pack lists for each camp.
A DAYPACK to hold lunch, snacks, water & sunscreen.
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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M E E T Y O U R G U I D E S
All programs led by qualified, experienced, outdoor professionals.
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!
P O L L Y T A N N E R
ADVENTURE GUIDE
Polly Tanner, Adventure Guide, spends the school year at Manzanita Elementary School's Library where she has been encouraging & inspiring book-readers for 29 years! When she does manage to get some time outside, she spends it trail running around Tucson and kayaking Arizona’s rivers and lakes. Polly is certified in CPR, Leave No Trace Guidelines, and holds a NOLS Wilderness First Aid certification. She has worked on perfecting every detail of our trip itineraries and journals; incorporating the history and wilderness education for each adventure since 2013! She is excited to incorporate a focus on night sky education into our program this year!
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!
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Community Schools Outdoors Staff
- 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!
Check back often to see our most current offerings!
LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY:
To facilitate a better understanding of the challenges you may encounter on your Adventure Camp, we have established a grading system that assesses the technical complexity and physical demands of each trip. When registering for a camp, it is crucial to be aware of the physical difficulty level to ensure that you are adequately prepared.
Our scale begins with one hiker,
Our scale ends at four hikers,
Please read each trip description carefully and call us (520-209-7551) if you have questions before you register. We can help match your child with the correct trip for his/her level.
You do not need to be a professional athlete to take part in an adventure, but you do need to be an active person. A keen desire to learn, have fun, strong motivation and a positive attitude are equally important to success!