E441   Quest: The objectives of the three-part Quest class (English class, Outdoor Program, natural science) are to establish a clearer sense of one's identity and values, to experience living and traveling as a small group through the canyon country of Utah, and to gain an understanding of the natural history and environmental issues associated with this unique region.

For the English dimension of the Quest class, students will compose essays covering a range of topics from expositions to descriptions and narratives. There is a major emphasis on journal writing, with entries inspired by the readings and the trip to the canyon country. Readings include works by Ann Zwinger, Annie Dillard, Edward Abbey, Henry Thoreau, Daniel Quinn, and Terry Tempest Williams.

  The outdoor component of Quest is a three-week trip to canoeing through Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons of the Green River . This three-week period includes the school's spring vacation, and the weeks before and after, when students will miss class. Participants will backpack and canoe, camp out every night, and be self-sufficient for the entire stay.

The natural science portion is individual projects focusing on archaeological, biological, geological and astronomical phenomena most easily studied in the field.  Each student will choose a topic early in the semester, will research and become expert on their topic, and give a presentation to the group at some point during the field portion of Quest.

Limit of ten students. Cost: Approximately $775. Leaders: Chip Mehring and TBA. Student selection done with Senior English courses.