Teachers and students press board to approve new 'Outdoor Pursuits' PE course
Summary
Northern High School teacher Michelle Brandon presented 'Outdoor Pursuits', a proposed PE course with camping, paddling, archery and orienteering; students and trustees praised its impact and the district plans to seek formal adoption Jan. 8, 2026.
Michelle Brandon, a physical‑education teacher at Northern High School, briefed the board on a proposed Outdoor Pursuits course that the administration plans to bring for adoption at the Jan. 8, 2026 meeting if the board approves the 30‑day notice period.
Brandon described a semester‑based PE class focused on outdoor and adventure skills tied to state and national benchmarks: land activities (hiking, backpacking, orienteering, tent‑ and hammock‑rigging), water activities (pool paddle‑boarding, boater‑safety certification), and adventure challenges (bike rides, high‑ropes at an outdoor center). She said the course has been grant‑supported (inventory including paddle boards and archery equipment), supplemented by PTA purchases (12 hammocks) and fundraising. Brandon told the board the initial pilot enrolled 17 students and this year is closer to 30; she said she intends to make the class available to grades 9–12 if approved and will keep activities optional when costs apply.
Students who spoke called the class transformational. "It's by far the best class I took in all of high school," one former student said. Several students described camping trips, hammock use, outdoor cooking and strengthened peer relationships as course highlights.
Board members asked about safety and logistics for overnight trips, gender‑separated sleeping arrangements and assessment. Brandon said each student sets up their own tent or hammock for overnight trips, and the district requires male and female chaperones; assessments combine photographic portfolios, presentations and a short research project on outdoor careers such as park ranger or conservation officer.
On costs, Brandon said many on‑site activities involve small fees ($5 for local outings); she explicitly said no activity is mandatory. She cited an $80 cost for a recent camping trip; one larger travel cost mentioned in the meeting transcript appears to be a transcription error and the exact large‑trip figure was not specified. Brandon asked the board to consider block scheduling and an on‑campus classroom closer to gym facilities to ease equipment logistics.
Administration said the motion for adoption will be presented to the board on Jan. 8, 2026. If approved, Outdoor Pursuits would be added to the program of studies so students can select it as a semester option.
