By Lydia Tanner
Sarah Carpenter is a certified badass. A lifelong skier and mountaineer, shes led many international expeditions, spent years as a ski patrolled, and is an AMGA certified mountain guide. Six years ago she and her husband Don became co-owners of the American Avalanche Institute (AAI). During this time she's been expanding an initiative begun in 2005 by AAI founder Rod Newcomb and high school physics teacher Garrick Hart. The objective? Teach snow science to the youth of Jackson, Wyoming.
HOW IT WORKS
The program is three-tiered, reaching youth ages 10 to 18 with the curriculum becoming more advanced as they age. The earliest classes focus on avoidance; teaching students how to identify ski area boundaries, understanding avalanche control, and respecting closures. By the time students hit the high school age, they're studying snow metamorphosis, terrain choices, and group dynamics. Depending on the school, the snow science unit is either a standard part of senior physics or an extracurricular option offered to those interested; both give students the opportunity to earn a Level 1 certification.
YOUTH VERSUS ADULTS
The biggest difference between teaching youth and adults? Sarah says they've adapted the standard curriculum to fit into shorter chunks, with quick presentations and a focus on hands-on activities. Its all about making sure students are keyed in and they're not the only ones benefitting from the move toward more hands-on coursework. According to Sarah, many of the AAIs instructors have started employing the same techniques in their adult classes. It's not necessarily kids attention spans, its people's attention spans. We all learn best by doing! says Sarah.
WHAT THEY LEARNED
The first class offered for youth in Jackson saw massive early signup. To prepare, Sarah and the AAI had a large group of instructors and tons of equipment, all cued up ready to go. Unfortunately, only a fraction of them actually attended. Sarah says there's sometimes a disconnect between student/parent schedules and their actual interest and motivation. What we've done since then is ask for a small fee upfront, and they get it back when they come to the class Sarah says. That small act of commitment has really helped with attendance.
COMMUNITY
In its nine years of operation, the program has reached over 1,500 youth. There's no doubt that Jackson's high school avalanche courses are affecting the way the community looks at and thinks about snow. Sarah says It's hard to pinpoint changes, but we are putting avy education in front of the community. The biggest part, she says, is giving youth a sense of place. We live in an amazing spot. Learning about it helps kids see that.
To support the AAI and the Jackson programs, BCA has donated the essentials: shovels, probes, and over 50 beacons. They have also supplied each class with Float Airbag Packs and extra cylinders so that students at every level can have hands-on experience with the latest avalanche safety technology. Sarah calls BCAs support, Amazing! We couldn't make these youth programs happen without industry support. We are so grateful.
With Sarah and the AAI at the front of the classroom, students are getting some of the best avalanche safety instruction possible. By providing quality education early in an individual's skiing and riding lifetime, AAI is able to instill an understanding and respect for the backcountry that helps students make better decisions from the very beginning.
Good and bad backcountry habits can start at an early age, Bruce Edgerly of BCA adds. We've been supporting youth Navy education from the start to make sure these kids get off on the right foot if they choose to ride outside the resorts. With the crew at AAI doing the teaching, we know they're getting quality instruction.
While there's plenty of winter left in this season, Sarah already has her eye on her goal for the summer. I want to build a tool kit [for early education] that other people can use. Having a program like this is really a gift to any mountain town.
Find out more about the AAI and a list of upcoming courses at AmericanAvalancheInstitute.com.