Sierra Outdoor School

Sarah Barker (Mariposa) Where are you from/where do you call home? I was born and raised in Fresno, CA ; fun fact, I attended Sierra Outdoor School as a sixth grader! What did you study in college? I completed my Liberal Studies Bachelor of Arts at California State University, Chico.  What in your childhood pointed to this as your job? I really enjoy teaching Wilderness Skills. It's an awesome opportunity for students to learn new skills, like using a compass and building a survival shelter. It's very different from the curriculum I've taught in the "traditional" classroom. What is your favorite class to teach at Sierra Outdoor School? Sierra Outdoor School is a wonderful place to be! The opportunity to live in a beautiful forest, impact students from all over California, and experience a different style of teaching was something I couldn't pass up. I look forward to taking everything I learn here and bringing t...

Ethan (Goose) Where are you from/where do you call home? I grew up in Connecticut and my family lives there, but I identify more with the state of Maine, which is where I attended college. What did you study in college? Ecology. What in your childhood pointed to this as your job? Beachwalk’s, Bug hunts, and Backpacking. What is your favorite class to teach at Sierra Outdoor School? Silent Mile. Why are you excited to be here at SOS? The Sierra Nevada mountains are incredible, you can ski, backpack, and rock climb, also unsolicited facts about plants/animals/fungi from the people I live and work with. Favorite smell? Snow. What animal best represents your personality and why? Common Racoon, they are resourceful, clever, will eat just about anything, and can live and survive just about anywhere. They are great at upcycling things people throw out, like me. Sarah Newcomb (Shale) Where are you from/where do you call home? I am originally from Northeast Ohio so while I may move...

Chloe (Toad) Where are you from/where do you call home? I am from Lexington, Massachusetts which is a town about 20-30 minutes outside of Boston. What did you study in college? I majored in biology with a certificate in environmental studies. What in your childhood pointed to this as your job? When I was little my parents bought me a field guide and one of my favorite things to do was to go outside, look for critters, and try to identify them. On the playground,  I was always flipping rocks and rolling log rounds to look for bugs, and it was not unusual for me to walk into my house with a bucket containing some kind of small amphibian from our garden outside. I can only imagine how excited 6-year-old me would have been to know that I would one day be doing that for a living! What is your favorite class to teach at Sierra Outdoor School? I'm still learning some of the classes but my favorite that I teach right now is the silent mile. I think it is reall...