Where the River Runs North
YES Plan 1999
May 19 - June 10

Since 1994 Rutland High School has run an enrichment term as part of its academic year based on programs found in such colleges as Middlebury and Dartmouth. Originally it ran during the month of January and was known as Jan Plan. To address concerns over curriculum continuity it was moved to the last weeks of the school year in 1998. Known as YES Plan (an acronym for Year End Studies) the program enables students and teachers to develop creative courses that do not fit into traditional programming.

Science teacher George Hooker and history teacher John Peterson wanted to team teach a class that would involve taking students off campus for their learning experience. Originally they conceived a hiking trip along the Long Trail from Rutland to Canada but the Green Mountain Club discouraged groups from using the trail so early in the season. Almost simultaneously they each came up with the idea of making a canoe trip from Rutland to Canada studying science and history along the way. (Click here for a map of the trip.)

Twelve students participated in the class. Rutland High School graduate and current University of Vermont student Tom Smith joined the group as a third leader. His skills in expedition leadership, water safety and first aid, as well as his expertise in amphibian and reptile biology provided a valuable addition.

The group at our final pick-up on the Charcoal Creek. Left to right: Leigh Ryan, T.J. Hooker, John Peterson (teacher), Matt Getty, Emily Fagan, George Hooker (teacher), Sally Olson, Jesse Smith, Ryan Kitchen, Nicole Little, Ted Holland, Tom Garofano, Tom Smith (leader), Christine Ziegler, Efe Cimrin