Lake Clark

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•	Course Overview
•	About Lake Clark
•	Course Description
•	Course Schedule
•	General Info
•	Photo Gallery
•	Tuition

Course Credit
In the Lake Clark course, students can earn high school credit for 3 different courses: Ecology, Outdoor Leadership and PE. At this time, Classroom with a View does not issue transcripts; courses are parent graded.

The independent study coursework is complemented by a hands-on field course camping and backpacking in Lake Clark National Park in Interior Alaska.

Ecology (1/2 credit science)
This course introduces the science of ecology - the study of the interactions among organisms and their environment. Topics include habitat, range, life cycle, interdependency, diet, cycles, adaptations, ecosystem, community, population dynamics, food webs, and more. Studies focus on ecology of the tundra and taiga communities in Lake Clark National Park in the Interior of Alaska. Aspects of natural and human history of Lake Clark, geology, wildlife, vegetation, geology, weather, human impact on ecosystems, human use of resources and current conservation issues are also covered.

Outdoor Leadership (1/2 credit elective)
This course introduces principles of leadership that can be applied to any situation: styles of leadership, how to lead, communication, group dynamics, goal setting, teambuilding, decision making, initiative, planning, people skills, group responsibility, risk management, skills acquisition, motivation, integrity and awareness. Students study the principles in theory at home and then observe them modeled by instructors and gain hands-on experience while frequently leading the group during the field course.

The principles of leadership are taught in the scope of leading a group in the outdoors. This course introduces a variety of outdoor skills: using outdoor gear properly, setting up a camp, hiking, backpacking, outdoor cooking, orienteering, teambuilding, minimum impact philosophy, and safe travel in a cold-climate, wilderness environment. Emphasis is placed on naturalist skills. Students become familiar with tundra and taiga ecosystems, become experienced at using field guides, and develop their observation skills. Students are also exposed to local issues and related careers.

PE (1/2 credit pe)
Students keep a log of physical activity at home and accumulate 70 hours prior to the field course. Students may choose the activities as long as it meets the requirements for getting in shape. More details are included in the course materials sent to enrolled students.

Learning takes place in many formats throughout the field course:

	•	Field Lessons- Topics span the scope of all subjects: ecology, pe, and outdoor leadership. A field lesson may be anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes, hands-on, and given on a hike, after breakfast, or in the evening in camp. Examples: keying out plants, classification of mammals, using a topographical map and compass, tundra vs. taiga, etc.
	•	Student Presentations- These are 15-20 minute presentations prepared by students prior to the field course. Students are given an extensive list of topics to choose from. During the field course, each student presents his/her research findings to the rest of the class. Examples include adaptations of mammals to cold temperatures, population dynamics of the grizzly bear, and species diversity in the tundra ecosystem.
	•	Instructor Led Hike- These moderate to strenuous hiking days are planned and led by the instructors and include field lessons.
	•	Student Led Hike- With guided instruction, these moderate to strenuous hiking days are planned and led by the students and include field lessons.
	•	Teambuilding Activities- Instructors lead fun, interactive activities that teach principles of teambuilding, group dynamics, and leadership.
	•	Leaders of the Day- After watching instructors lead for several days, students are given the opportunity to lead. Leaders are responsible for the day’s schedule, group decisions, group welfare, our route, and more.
	•	Observation- Students are given opportunities to develop their skills of observation through time specifically devoted to observing the natural world.
	•	Hands-on Experience- This is the bulk of how learning unfolds. We take advantage of the countless teachable moments that arise to learn science and leadership while doing them.

Independent Study
Students must adequately complete all assignments. Once enrolled, students receive course materials, detailed information on course assignments, a suggested timeline for completing assignments, and due dates. Since each 1/2 credit encompasses a minimum of 90 hours of work, most of the coursework is done before the field course. There are many assignments, but students have the fall and spring semesters to complete them. The field course is designed to be the hands-on culmination and application of everything studied at home. All course materials are provided to the student.

There is an array of assignments designed to cover a wide variety of content. They are interesting, engaging, and prepare students well for the culminating field course. Assignments vary from reading selections from texts and literature to preparing a presentation to doing research on related careers.

Here is a sampling showing some of the assignments:

	•	Gear Research. In preparation, you will spend time researching outdoor gear.
	•	Career Research. You will spend time researching what careers are available to those who want to work in the outdoors.
	•	Read Everyday Wisdom: 1001 Expert Tips for Hikers by Karen Berger.
	•	Read Outdoor Leadership by Alex Kosseff.
	•	Observational Writings. At home, you will sit outside and observe using all your senses and write up your observations.
	•	Presentation. Each student will give a 15 minute presentation in the field. It is an informal talk in which you teach the rest of the class about a topic you select from a list we provide.
	•	Wildlife. You will choose 1 animal and get to know it well. On the trail, you will teach the group about your animal and its tracks.
	•	Botany. You will choose 1 plant which can be found in Lake Clark. It will be your responsibility to teach the group about the plant when we find it on the trail.
	•	Read Leave no Trace by NOLS.
	•	Read One Man’s Wilderness by Sam Keith and Richard Proenneke.
	•	Selected Readings in Course Reader pertaining to ecology and Lake Clark
	•	Physical Training. You will be required to keep a regimented physical conditioning program that includes both strength and aerobic exercise. You will keep a log of your hours and communicate with CWAV regarding your progress. This is crucial for a safe and enjoyable field course.

“I will take away an improved ability to read maps - also a much better understanding on what it takes to lead a group. And what my leadership style is like. I also learned how much a group can accomplish and handle together.”
- Student, LC '05

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