The whole story:

When I asked my students about their experience outdoors, most of them said they have never been camping, biking, climbing, skiing, or any of the outdoor activities that Utah is so well known for. I grew up in Montana and found that my experiences outdoors helped me challenge and believe in myself while providing opportunities to build perseverance and develop leadership skills. I would love for my students to experience these lessons and occasions for growth as well.

Dual Immersion Academy is a Title I public charter school located in the Glendale neighborhood of Salt Lake City. Almost all of my students qualify for free and reduced lunch and are considered at risk youth. Many of the students have experienced multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences and/or face obstacles at home that negatively impact their mental health. Spending time outside and learning new and challenging skills provides an opportunity to build confidence, which can improve mental health. The school population is majority Latino, and many are recent immigrants, a population that typically does not have as much access to outdoor recreation. It is my hope that getting students involved in these activities at a young age can help them feel like they can belong in those spaces if they want to and build healthy habits for life.

Students in the club have the opportunity to participate in a different activity each month. Our final trip will be a camping/rafting trip in Moab, Utah. We are hoping to raise $2000 to help the group cover the program cost, transportation, and food. This will be a first time experience for most of the students in the club and they have been looking forward to it all year. We would love your support to make this experience possible for them! 

Thanks for your support,

‌Alexa Aragon

Middle School Math Teacher