Earth Seasoned: #Gap Year

Gr 9 Up—High school classwork and social situations can be tough, especially if a student has trouble focusing in class and learning differences that make it difficult to fit in. After high school, Tori Davis spends a gap year as one of five young women in a wilderness immersion program in Oregon's Cascade Mountains. Guides from the Coyote Trails School of Nature mentor and teach Tori, Emma, Maddee, Hannah, and Thea to turn off "mind chatter" and draw strength from a connection with nature, spending four full seasons in the woods. Videographers follow the "caretakers" as they build a fire, struggle in the rain and mud, and rejoice in the beauty of nature. Tori often speaks directly to viewers, as do others, as they share life lessons learned outdoors. The footage is supplemented with occasional home movies, parent interviews, and animations. While they have running water, propane, and a nearby town for shopping, the caretakers are generally self-sufficient and build, cook, read, laugh, journal, and immerse themselves in nature. With spirits renewed, and self-confidence fully established, the young women carry lessons to others as the film closes. The film captures Tori's bright spark and allows viewers to empathize with her nontraditional learning style, as well as her desire to find her place in the world. For non-outdoorsy viewers, the pacing may feel a bit slow. The DVD includes SDH captions for the deaf and hard of hearing, scene selection, 20 corresponding lesson plans, and a 20-page discussion and facilitation guide.