Intern Projects - 2014

Each year, interns complete projects to improve the school and leave their mark. Past projects have included new trails, additional teaching spaces, and even a stream to keep the pond healthy.

This year the interns will leave behind a multitude of helpful and creative projects.

A lover of tracking, Devin captured the footprints of many four-legged residents and painted them all over main campus. Since natural tracks can sometimes be difficult to find, the painted tracks are a fun and exciting introduction to tracking. Try to figure out whose prints are whose.

Justin and Molly worked to improve a past intern project, a secondary amphitheater closer to main campus. They doubled the size of the stage area, added more benches, and added steps. Upon the completion of this project they dubbed the amphitheater, the Covanshrein Theater, a combination of the last names’ of interns who worked on the project. Now there is another place on campus to learn, sing, and dance!

Kim gathered GPS data and created a mural of California and Sierra Outdoor School. A special thank you goes to Ian Reilling and Phil McDonald for help with the map-making. The mural highlights California's national parks, major cities, and areas students typically visit as well as buildings, trails, and important spots around campus. Use the mural to figure out where you are, where you've been, and where you're going!

Putting her chainsaw certification to work, Lara dropped several incense cedar trees in a field west of campus. By doing this, Lara thinned out the forest, which will help to prevent forest fires like the Rim Fire that was about 5 miles away from campus in August!

Nancy created an additional teaching space, Ponderosa Point, near north of the main campus. Ponderosa Point is an open area with massive yet comfy tree benches with wood burned illustrations of science concepts such as photosynthesis and the energy pyramid. It's the perfect spot to rest your legs and reflect at the end of a long hike.

With a permit from the U.S. fish and wildlife services, Rachael prepared numerous talons, wings, and skins to be displayed in the future S.O.S. museum. She compiled some of the animal parts and pictures from her game camera on campus to create a visual display. The game camera was made possible by collaboration with CSERC.  Rachael also earned a grant for a solar powered pump for the pond, so the pond will be self-sustaining!

All of these projects were only possible from the help and support of the rest of the wonderful S.O.S. staff. Thank you to all of those who helped!!!

When you visit, keep your eyes peeled for these projects!