Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado … After a half day of classes, ninth through eleventh grade students at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, spent the afternoon and evening at Rocky Mountain National Park for Outdoor School, September 21. Split into multiple groups, teachers led students on various lengths of hikes before gathering together in the evening to observe the elk rut.
Students chose the length of hike or activity they wanted to do, ranging from five-mile hikes to taking a driving tour up Trail Ridge Road. They enjoyed sunny weather and vibrant yellow aspen leaves throughout the day.
Mya F., freshman student, selected the medium length hike to Emerald Lake and commented, “I really enjoyed the hike. It was very fun to get outdoors and exercise with my friends that were on the hike with me. We had an assignment on elk, and it really made me think about it. Also, my friends and I prayed up at the lake, and it was just really nice to get out and have the fresh air and see all of God’s creation.”
New this year, the students stayed through the evening to observe the elk rut. During the fall season the male elk will try to gather a group of females and fend off other males from their herd. They announce their presence with a unique bugling sound and will sometimes spar with other male elk.
Moses W., junior student, explained his most memorable part of the day “was when went out to the golf course and saw the elk doing their thing and making their special sound. It was cool.”
After the sun set, the students headed back to campus. Nolan S., sophomore student, shared, “I loved the view of the sunset. It made me feel happy and vibrant.”
—Jill Harlow is the Campion Academy Communication director. Photos supplied.
