One special feature of Polaris K-12 School is that we have three times each year where the students have just a single class all day for two or three weeks. We call these "intensives." Historically, we've been able to offer one wilderness intensive each year.
In my seven years here, we've taken students backpacking Alaska's back country and in Zion National Park, we've camped lakeside while learning to sail, and we've been kayaking in Glacier Bay and Prince William Sound.
It's .... magical. Seeing kids grow comfortable with themselves, with silence, and with the natural world has been a blessing. It's not something everyone would choose to do, but I'm grateful that we've been able to maintain that part of our program.
My Project
Over the years, we accumulated some quality gear: some quality tents, canister stoves, backpacks, and sleeping bags; water bladders, dry bags, and paddling suits; and emergency gear like compasses, whistles, and signaling mirrors. This was expedition quality gear; you just can't afford to be in the middle of nowhere with gear that might not stand up to the conditions.
Cleaning up after the earthquake, I found that it had all been stolen.
With the school's equipment, the wilderness adventures we've offered have been available to a much wider student population; we've made the cost affordable and have been able to supply just about everything a student would need after transportation to the field. This year, we'll need light weight dry bags and water treatment and storage supplies for our backpacking trip through Zion NP. We'll be able to use this gear for subsequent adventures, too.
MSR Dromedary Bag Water Reservoir
• Amazon Business
$48.38
10
$483.80
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack,Red,Large-13-Liter
• Amazon Business
$19.95
10
$199.50
Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stoves with Piezo Ignition (2pack)
• Amazon Business
$19.99
6
$119.94
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack,Yellow,Large-13-Liter
• Amazon Business
$19.13
6
$114.78
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack - Pacific Blue 35L
• Amazon Business
$26.95
4
$107.80
GSI Outdoors 2010 Trowel- Colors May Vary
• Amazon Business
$6.98
12
$83.76
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack,Black,Large-13-Liter
• Amazon Business
$18.17
3
$54.51
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack,Blue,Large-13-Liter
• Amazon Business
$17.85
3
$53.55
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack - Black 13L
• Amazon Business
$19.95
2
$39.90
S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Longer Rescue Flash Mirror
• Amazon Business
$6.99
5
$34.95
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack,Green,Medium-8-Liter
• Amazon Business
$17.86
1
$17.86
Homey Product A Set of 5 Extra Loud Whistles for Camping Hiking Hunting Outdoors Sports and Emergency Situations, Sturdy but Light Aluminium Key Chain Signals
• Amazon Business
$7.99
2
$15.98
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack,Green,Large-13-Liter
• Amazon Business
$15.96
1
$15.96
Materials cost
$1,342.29
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$20.13
3rd party payment processing fee
$20.13
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$1,412.55
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$249.27
Total project goal
$1,661.82
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,661.82
17 Donors
-$1,661.82
Donations toward project cost
-$1,412.55
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Smith and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
