Jeneille Branen, Dr. Samantha Ramsey, Adam Ingwell and T.J. Clevengar

Branen and her colleagues’ innovative teaching idea, “The Adventure Ready Project,” has two inter-locking components that will allow students to learn and carry forward physical activity and nutrition information. Its centerpiece is a series of intensive, day-long "Adventure Fridays." These full-day experiences (five per classroom, per year) introduce students to a wide range of physical skills and activities, such as rock climbing, biking, snowshoeing, skiing, backpacking, and camping. Community members with an area of expertise will work with the students and assist with each adventure. Each year, skills learned in the previous grade’s adventure will scaffold the skills for the next year. Additionally, “Adventure Fridays” will be integrated with nutrition-focused initiatives called "Adventures in Eating," a tasting program featuring healthy fruits and vegetables, including those grown in the school’s greenhouse.