Outdoor Education Program Wraps Up with Hands-On Learning and Outdoor Adventure at Oasis State Park
The final event in the recent outdoor education series was held at Oasis State Park, where 30 students participated in a day focused on outdoor skills, survival training, and environmental awareness. This event brought the total number of students participating in the program to 103, which includes participation in fishing events, CTE-related instruction, and volunteer opportunities. These activities were funded through a grant from the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division.
During the morning, students had the opportunity to fish at the park’s pond. Even though the fish weren’t biting much, the students still had a great time. Following the fishing session, lunch was provided by Texas Roadhouse, featuring steak kabobs, grilled chicken, rice, salad, corn, and iced tea.
As part of the lunch break, Coach Everhart led a cooking demonstration showing students and parents how to prepare kabobs for outdoor trips. A drawing for parents concluded the meal, with one participant receiving a Rocket Stove donated by CHS Welding. A custom metal cooking disc, also built by Coach Everhart, was included with the stove to allow immediate use.
The afternoon focused on intermediate outdoor survival skills. Students received instruction on how to set up tents and worked with the SEARS team from Cannon Air Force Base to build emergency shelters. Additional activities included map reading, using survival tools such as LifeStraws, and basic navigation. All students received a LifeStraw to keep.
Once training sessions were complete, students applied their skills during a 30-minute hike on the back side of the park. They practiced plant identification, navigation using landmarks, and situational awareness. One student group encountered a snake on the trail and successfully used the safety protocols they had learned to avoid the hazard and continue safely.
Extra gear from the event was donated to Oasis State Park for use during its upcoming youth fishing clinic, which serves students from the surrounding area. Instruction throughout the day’s program was provided by Mr. Everhart and Mr. Hendren, who led activities related to fishing and outdoor CTE skills. Thanks also to Sara Williams and the team from Cannon Air Force Base, who introduced students to a range of outdoor and survival skills.
