Family and Student prep for Summer 2026

Blog Post #1-  Family/Student preparation for Summer 2026

Dear MTN School Family,

We started MTN school 8 Summers ago with the following intention:  “To encourage students to learn in and connect with our mountains, rivers, and wild places.  To create a community that promotes time for children to explore and lead their own learning.  To maintain an academic, mindful approach to adventure and field studies.”

Please revisit this blog and this statement regularly this Summer as part of the intentional community that is upholding this mission and helping to grow our kids up with healthy stimulation, teambuilding, challenges, and time in the outdoor classroom.

Two things:

1. Please send vaccine records to bencanady7@gmail.com  We just had a great audit from the state, but we need to get to 100% on this to maintain our autonomy.

2. Please complete the digital form for Child information including health, socio-emotional, and contact information.  This is a two-minute process at:  www.themountainschoolgws.com/forms

Preparation items:

MTN School days are rigorous and active. Two water bottles of at least 32 oz capacity each. One should be FROZEN for afternoon.  Hydration systems (bladders/tubes) can be great for bike rides, but they are NOT a substitute for two bottles.  Hydration systems are hard for kids to close, and they regularly leak and create difficulties.

Lunch and snacks. Best without bulky lunchboxes.  We will take time with lunch and help kids settle to eat, keep their food shaded, “windproof” their lunch areas to prevent litter, and socialize around lunch times.

Sun protective clothing, labelled with last name. Quick-dry hoodies, wide-brimmed hats. Bare shoulders are never okay.  Clothing is so much better than sunscreen!

Sunscreen (NOT SPRAY). Teachers will help apply and remind students. Sticks and small tubes are best.  Spray ends up in the air and eyes more than on the skin.

Rain Jacket

Big backpack with room for everything

Sandals with back straps that fit securely.  NO Crocs! (ask Sasha about her perilous croc-rescue missions :)

Basic bike tools and replacement tubes.

Schedule bike maintenance before June 15.  We simply will not be able to maintain bikes the morning of distance rides.

Print and share these preparation points with students.  We are helping them move from a sheltered school day into more exposed, rigorous settings.  (Sneaky note: the first families to send a picture with gear laid out ahead of time will receive an exclusive preview of the Summer 2026 Calendar.) They will need to advocate for themselves in this by thinking ahead about clothing, hats, backpacks, and solid lunches and snacks.