Last week Dragonfly Transitions (OR) students embarked on spring break trips to the Redwoods, Oregon Coast, and Yosemite National Park. During these trips, the students experienced new and exciting ways to safely engage in spring break, and they returned refreshed and ready to continue with their school year.
Yosemite National Park
For most of the students, this trip marked their first visit to Yosemite. Many shared they had waited their entire lifetimes to experience it and described Yosemite Valley as the most beautiful place they had ever seen.
During the adventures in Yosemite, students visited Half Dome up close and also got to check out the old town of Wawona. Before going back to Klamath, we spent the night at beautiful Lake Shasta. We had a closing ceremony and an American stir-fry. One student remarked that “Yosemite is definitely the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to, and I can’t wait to go back.”
The Redwoods and Oregon Coast Trips
For the Redwoods and Oregon Coast trips, a group of Dragonfly students traveled to northern California for a few days of sightseeing, exploring nature and even whitewater rafting. We camped among the giant redwoods in Jedediah Smith State Park, and spent a day with the organization Redwoods and Rivers who planned a fun-filled day for the group of team building activities and rafting. Starting the day, students were challenged to work together on various activities on Redwood and Rivers' low ropes course, and then in the afternoon, those students who wanted went white water rafting on the Trinity River. The water was cold but the wet suits and excitement kept everyone warm enough to enjoy riding the rapids.
Along the Oregon Coast, students explored the beautiful and rocky coastline, with stops at Harris Beach State Park, Face Rock, Cape Blanco, the Coquille Lighthouse and Devil’s Kitchen, among others. We also visited the dinosaurs at Prehistoric Gardens, explored some local shops in old town Bandon, and ate fresh fish and chips at the Bandon Fish Market.
Students also enjoyed visiting the Northcoast Mammal Rescue Center and nearby Ocean World Aquarium, where we learned more about local marine life, got to pet starfish, sea anemones, sharks and sting rays, and watched a seal and seal lion performance. The final night was spent playing laser tag and enjoying the warmer weather before driving back to Klamath Falls the next day to begin getting ready for spring term.
Dragonfly Transitions serves young adults 18 -30 in three locations in Southern Oregon – Klamath Falls, Ashland, and the Homestead (for men, just south of Klamath). Students learn life skills and work to transition into a healthy young adult life with independence, autonomy, integrity and sustainability. Dragonfly provides opportunities for real world experience in a stable, supportive environment where students can flourish.