Grade 4: A GPS-Powered Learning Adventure
Fourth graders recently returned to Castlewood Canyon State Park for their annual geocaching field trip—an outdoor adventure that blends teamwork, navigation skills, and real-world learning. Geocaching, often described as a modern-day treasure hunt, uses GPS devices to help participants locate hidden containers called geocaches. Inside, students found stamps to mark their passports and logbooks to sign as a team.
Leading up to the trip, students studied maps, latitude, and longitude in social studies, then practiced using GPS tools on campus before heading into the field. At the park, they worked in teams to follow coordinates and track down Graland-planted geocaches in creative hiding spots throughout the three-mile trail loop—putting their classroom knowledge into action in an unforgettable way.
The experience also connects to Grade 4’s yearlong service learning theme: exploring state and national parks. As the unit unfolds, students will consider questions such as "How can local parks empower youth to become environmental stewards?" and "What role do parks play in shaping healthy, connected communities?" These themes will guide future lessons as students reflect on how outdoor spaces are used, maintained, and shared.
Beyond the academic connections, challenges like this help students grow in independence, perseverance, and collaborative problem-solving. Navigating unfamiliar terrain, using new tools, and making group decisions gave fourth graders a meaningful opportunity to stretch their skills and support one another along the way.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
