AWE Outings Catalog

Adventure and Wilderness Experiences (AWE)

Mission: Adventure and Wilderness Experiences (AWE) exists to develop strong and courageous students who grow in resiliency, confidence, and faith through outdoor challenge and community. Grounded in Joshua 1:9, AWE provides opportunities for students to encounter God’s creation, discover their unique design, and practice courage so they may impact the world for Christ.

Vision: Through AWE, every FRCS student will:

Engage in Conversation: building relationships, sharing stories, and being known in community.
Embrace Challenge: stepping beyond comfort zones, facing fears, and learning that they can do hard things.
Develop Conviction: reflecting on what God teaches through struggle, growth, and perseverance.
Make Choices: carrying lessons learned back into everyday life at school, at home, and in the wider world.

Our vision is for students to leave each outing with greater courage, stronger character, and a deeper awareness of God’s calling equipped to live faithfully and lead courageously in all areas of life.

Outings

Students grades 7-12 get one AWE outing during each school year. Most activities run throughout the school year from 7:30am-3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays so students don’t miss chapel or dGroups. Outings are divided into seasons.

Student Responsibility:

Part of AWE is learning to plan ahead. Students are responsible for:

Looking at personal and extracurricular schedules (sports, fine arts, etc.)
Coordinating with friends if they want to go together
Choosing an outing that best fits their calendar.

Please be aware that some outings take place at higher elevations. You should consult with your physician if you have medical needs that are complicated by higher altitudes (such as diabetes or heart or lung disease), and inform the trip leaders if there is any specific medical information we need to be aware of.

Signups

Ongoing signups: There is no official deadline—students may sign up throughout the year
Seasonal considerations matter (activities such as stand-up paddleboarding should be chosen earlier in the fall; skiing or snowboarding are best in winter months)
Students may also sign up now for a later-season outing, and we will add them to the calendar

To sign up, email Mr. Wall (jwall@frcs.org) with the activity of choice and desire adventure level. After receiving requests, Mr. Wall will coordinate dates, secure chaperones, and communicate details with families.

Gear

Students are responsible for obtaining and bringing required gear.
Some equipment may be available through FRCS (noted in the descriptions below)
Students must be dressed appropriately for the activity and Weather

Transportation

FRCS provides transportation for all of the activities.

Adventure Levels

Students will choose the level of the AWE outing in which they want to participate.

Leisure

Mentally restorative
Low physical demand
No previous skills or knowledge of the activity needed

Basic

Learn the basics of the chosen activity.
Requires physical readiness
No prior skill needed

Moderate

Full day experience
Students should be in good physical condition
Students should have prior experience in the chosen activity.

Dynamic

Fast-paced, intensive day
Requires excellent physical condition
Students should be confident in their skills and knowledge of the activity chosen.

Fall & Spring Outings
Winter Outings
Create Your Own Outing
Clothing Checklist

November through March

Have an adventure outing suggestion? Fill out the form below, and we’ll see if it’s possible! For this type of outing, it is best to have names of a couple of other students who would also be interested in the outing. Only one student needs to complete the form, however. If you have questions, please reach out to Mr. Wall (jwall@frcs.org).

In general, please follow these guidelines for AWE outings.

Avoid cotton as much as possible and adjust each layer based on the forecast; always prepare, too, for the chance that conditions will turn colder, wetter, and windier.

Base Layer: wicking t-shirt/long-sleeve, wicking underwear, wool/synthetic socks
Middle Layer: Quick-dry pants or shorts, fleece/soft-shell, insulating hat/headband
Outer Layer: Rain jacket/pants, sunglasses, sturdy footwear
Winter Gear: Outerwear (jackets/pants), gloves, warm hat, goggles