Garfield Re-2 School District
Outdoor Education
The Garfield Re-2 Outdoor Education Department is dedicated to providing a meaningful, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate continuum of outdoor learning opportunities for students across the district. Through hands-on experiences in nature, we support academic learning, personal growth, environmental stewardship, and lifelong connections to the outdoors.
With foundational support from Great Outdoors Colorado’s Generation Wild program, Garfield County Outdoors (GCO) has played a central role in developing and strengthening outdoor education across Re-2. This partnership brings critical resources, training, and community connections that help ensure all students—regardless of background or experience—have access to high-quality outdoor learning.
At our schools, we coordinate grade-level outdoor experiences that directly connect to classroom learning. These experiences reinforce academic concepts, build curiosity and confidence, and foster social-emotional growth, while allowing students to explore, discover, and learn in authentic outdoor settings. From Colorado's highest peak to the bottom of Utah canyons, to our backyard state parks and local trails and rivers, field trips also introduce students to the amazing recreational opportunities available in our area, such as rock climbing, rafting, fly fishing, archery, skiing, and snowboarding.
Meet the Outdoor Ed Ranger Team
The Outdoor Ed Ranger Team plays an integral role in shaping and expanding outdoor education throughout the district. This team is made up of teachers and staff members from every school who meet regularly to dream, design, and develop programs across all grade levels. Their collaboration ensures that outdoor learning is intentional, standards-aligned, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our students and communities.
Toni Yorty - CVE
John Steele - HES
Reagan Yamashita - HES
Sarah Brusig - WES
Cierra Schubin - WES
Megan Lineweaver - CRHS
Dan Omeara - CRHS
Adam King (Buddy Program) - RHS
Bryan Gall - RIV
Teo Miu - RMS
Sydney DeGrave - ECE
Emily Sampley - ECE
Kelly Lord - KSE
Our Vision for the Future
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Looking ahead, Garfield County Outdoors envisions the next five years as a period of thoughtful growth rooted in community trust, student engagement, and expanded access to the outdoors across western Garfield County. Building on the success of our school-based programming, we aim to broaden our reach in ways that reflect the unique strengths and needs of our communities in New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Parachute, and Battlement Mesa.
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Over the past five years, one of our greatest takeaways has been the central role schools play in the life of each community. Schools are not only places of academic learning—they are the physical and emotional hubs of our neighborhoods. When outdoor programming is rooted in school spaces, whether through classroom-based lessons, field experiences, or family outdoor events, participation is stronger, engagement is deeper, and impact is more lasting. Garfield County Outdoors and the Re-2 Outdoor Education Department are proud to call our schools home, and we look forward to continuing to grow together.
Supporting Outdoor Ed
Want to help support outdoor ed? Please contact us to learn more about volunteering or donating.
Scott Partan
Outdoor Education
spartan@garfieldre2.net
Charlotte Hanks
Outdoor Ed Field Coordinator
chanks@garfieldre2.net
Our Partners
Take A Look At Our Adventures!
Middle School students climbing at Rifle Mountain Park.
