Concrete-to-Canyons

An educational experience like no other, the Concrete-to-Canyons program is a transformational experience for students, their teachers, and communities. Support from Zion Forever ensures students and teachers are provided continuous opportunities to connect with Zion National Park. The Concrete to Canyons experience starts in their schools. Before students visit Zion National Park, Park Rangers travel to Nevada to meet with them and provide an introduction to park resources, Leave No Trace Principles, safety, and what to expect for their camping adventure trip. Park Rangers also meet with teachers, parents, and chaperons to introduce them to Zion National Park and run through the program logistics, safety, and expectations. This pre-visit program is the first step in building a connection with students and community members to Zion National Park. Concrete-to-Canyons strives to instill a connection with the greater Zion landscape and teach students skills and information essential to become stewards of the nation’s public lands.  

Students, teachers, and chaperones then come and spend three days in Zion National Park, participating in immersive educational experiences.  During their visit to Zion, they hike with rangers, experience lessons and activities that connect Nevada State Curriculum Standards with Zion’s natural resources and gain skills to enhance comfort and confidence in the outdoors. While in the park, the students also engage with a variety of park staff to learn about NPS career paths, and the jobs rangers do to protect Zion’s resources. 

Most of the schools who participate in Concrete-to-Canyons are Title I. Students in these schools are considered lower-income and are at a disadvantage in engaging with the National Park System, as there may be financial or work-related constraints that prohibit park visitation. One of this year's program goals is to expand this program and outreach to include not only low-income students from cities but also students from rural and tribal lands.  

Your support to the Concrete-to-Canyons program helps ensure that immersive educational opportunities continue in Zion National Park.