The mission of the SLV-ROCK (Regional Outdoor Center for Knowledge) is to expand student academic and personal growth through rigorous environmental, experiential, standards based learning. Programming consists of opportunities for students to come visit the 640 acres study site. Curriculum includes the sciences (geology, biology, ecology, chemistry, and physics), language arts, and cultural history. Delivery includes hands on, experiential, and project and adventure based programming.

Educational Programs and Teaching Materials

Pre and Post visits in the student’s regular classroom are encouraged and ROCK personnel will accompany the students and their teacher to the ROCK site. The Center land consists of a variety of eco-zones from forest to grassland, riparian to rocky outcrop providing for a wide variety of learning opportunities. ROCK Personnel consist of licensed teachers and trained, mature students from the Crestone Charter School. Projects Wet, Wild, and Learning Tree activities are utilized for many of our lessons, integrating team-building AND standards correlated instruction.

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Natural History

The site contains a small trout stream, birds, elk, deer, mature conifer forest, grass and brushland, pine beetle impacts, and many small animals that can be seen and studied. Complete, intact watersheds with volcanic tuff cliffs overlying metamorphosed piedmont and bedrock can be mapped and explored. There are five vegetation study sites with ungulate exclusionary fences, and 18 geomorphologic and vegetation photo study sites with data collection dating back to May of 2006.  These fence and photo sites are mapped for GPS and/or map and compass orienteering.

Cultural History

The site is a "School Section" managed by the Colorado State Land Trust, and leased buy the Crestone Charter School. In the early 1900s there was a one-room-school house on the site. Additionally there is a Native American ‘Indian Camp’ of unknown lineage, but flint-knapped shards abound. A fourth generation ranch runs cattle on the land up to two months each year providing an opportunity for students to connect with local, modern, agricultural and pastoral experiences first hand.