Uploaded August 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Sixteen urban Latino high school students from Utah kicked off their summer vacation with an unforgettable "Take It Outside!" weekend adventure on the Colorado River near Moab.
The students slept out under the stars, braved high water runoff, and "crushed" Class I-II rapids on an overnight river raft trip provided by BLM-Utah, in partnership with Latinos In Action (LIA) and O.A.R.S. Canyonlands, Inc.
Mentors from LIA, the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks shared their insights about education paths and careers in natural resources. The O.A.R.S. river guides demonstrated the value of respecting the environment, looking out for each other, and how to take care of themselves outdoors. Five students from Logan High School were honored with internships to participate as peer leaders.
The students—many of whom had never been camping before-- became fast friends as they shared an action-packed, multi-day outdoor experience. The participants camped and hiked on public lands managed by the BLM-Utah's Moab Field Office; exploring red rock canyons, discovering desert wildlife, and even studying dinosaur tracks.
The learning and fun will continue throughout the summer with Camp LIA day trips to recreation areas in northern Utah, thanks to a partnership with outdoor leadership school Splore. Recreational opportunities include paddle boarding and rock climbing.
All this comes about from cooperation among a team of incredible partners: Latinos In Action; O.A.R.S. Canyonlands, Inc.; Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks; National Park Service, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program; The Outdoor Foundation; Utah State University; US Forest Service Uintah-Wasatch-Cache; Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region, and Splore.
Sixteen urban Latino high school students from Utah kicked off their summer vacation with an unforgettable "Take It Outside!" weekend adventure on the Colorado River near Moab.
The students slept out under the stars, braved high water runoff, and "crushed" Class I-II rapids on an overnight river raft trip provided by BLM-Utah, in partnership with Latinos In Action (LIA) and O.A.R.S. Canyonlands, Inc.
Mentors from LIA, the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, and Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks shared their insights about education paths and careers in natural resources. The O.A.R.S. river guides demonstrated the value of respecting the environment, looking out for each other, and how to take care of themselves outdoors. Five students from Logan High School were honored with internships to participate as peer leaders.
The students—many of whom had never been camping before-- became fast friends as they shared an action-packed, multi-day outdoor experience. The participants camped and hiked on public lands managed by the BLM-Utah's Moab Field Office; exploring red rock canyons, discovering desert wildlife, and even studying dinosaur tracks.
The learning and fun will continue throughout the summer with Camp LIA day trips to recreation areas in northern Utah, thanks to a partnership with outdoor leadership school Splore. Recreational opportunities include paddle boarding and rock climbing.
All this comes about from cooperation among a team of incredible partners: Latinos In Action; O.A.R.S. Canyonlands, Inc.; Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks; National Park Service, Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program; The Outdoor Foundation; Utah State University; US Forest Service Uintah-Wasatch-Cache; Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region, and Splore.
