Our Blog
Blog Categories
Serve to Lead
"During recess, a learner races outside, football in hand, ready to join a game. Just before running off, they notice a peer still inside, head bent over a math problem that just doesn’t make sense. Without hesitation, he sets the football down and sits beside them....
What is executive Functioning, Really?
What Is Executive Functioning, Really? By Dr. Nichole Hardy Swann, Psychologist and Vail Valley Unbound Board Member If you’ve ever watched your child decide what to pack for a hike, organize materials for a group project, or find a new way to solve a problem when...
Remembering Our “Why”
As we begin a new year at Vail Valley Unbound, it’s easy to get swept up in the “what” of our days, lip dubs, quests, studio contracts, core skills, and so much more. These are important and worth celebrating, but they’re not the whole story. At VVU, our why runs...
The Power of Contract Writing at VVU
One of the most important traditions at VVU during our first days together is writing contracts. While it may look like learners are simply drafting a document, this process carries deep meaning for our community and sets the tone for the entire year. What Are...
First Days Back at VVU: Settling into Our New Space
The start of a new school year at VVU is always filled with excitement, but this year feels especially meaningful. We have moved into our brand-new space, and the first days have been a beautiful blend of discovery, collaboration, and fresh beginnings. Exploring Our...
Vail Valley Unbound’s Exciting Move to Eagle: A New Chapter in Education
Big changes are coming to Vail Valley Unbound! We are thrilled to announce our move to Eagle, Colorado for the upcoming 2025/26 school year—a transition that represents a bold step forward in our mission to revolutionize education. This move isn’t just about a new...
Family Badge Challenge – 1000 Hours Outside
Description “Nobody wants to be in the last generation that remembers when it was considered normal and expected for children to go outside and play. Nobody.” -Richard Louv “Simply” put, this badge is about being intentional with your time and challenging yourself and...
Launch of the Day: How do Pictures Come to Life?
How Do Pictures Come to Life? Introduction What is your favorite animated movie? Go around the circle and share. Have you ever wondered how the pictures in these movies come to life? Let’s watch a video that answers that question! Watch: How does animation work?...
Daily Launch Example
Launches happen daily at VVU. These kick off our day and energize our learners for what is ahead. Here is an example of one of our Spark Studio launches. Eventually, these launches are lead by learners but for now, they are lead by a guide. Who’s in Charge? Taking...
Coding & Robotics Quest (part 2)
Understanding the Coding and Robotics Quest This six-week quest introduces learners to coding and robotics while building essential skills. Here’s what they are working on. What Learners Will Do Learn Programming Concepts: What is an algorithm and loop Develop...