The Hiking Club is sponsored by Jessica Chandler, Honors Integrated Science teacher, and co-sponsored by Jessica Mitchell, science teacher.
Chandler and Mitchell created the club together 6 years ago because it would give “ students an opportunity to be active, get outside in nature, and find a little more peace in their lives,” according to Chandler.
The club allows students to explore areas they have never been to; it is a club that stimulates excitement. Mitchell states, “My favorite place we’ve gone to is the West Fork trail in Sedona.”
Chandler adds, “One of our favorite memories is taking our first group to Camelback and seeing how proud they were to make it to the top.” So while students also get to explore a variety of places, the club provides a chance for each student to accomplish things that they can be proud of.
The club also allows teachers to know their students more on a personal level. Chandler states, “We get to know students that aren’t in our classes at all, and we get to learn more about students that we do have, aside from their academic performance in our class.”
Kayla Barrera, member, says the club has a good organization and she recommends the club to students who want “fresh air.” She says the club is motivational because “it challenges you.” Barrera also emphasizes on how the challenging parts of the club shapes her character overall and how it could do the same for other students.
The Hiking Club is a successful club that benefits not only students, but the teachers as well. The students are given “chances to become better” and overall improve their health. The club builds character and emphasizes on the value of balancing life while allowing some fun to happen. It is important to move one’s body around and work the brain in various ways.
