Welcome to Gone Boarding!

The landscape of education is constantly changing. Our current educational system was designed over 125 years ago. We know through research that students learn best when they are challenged with problems and are encouraged to seek out the solutions. Allowing kids to make mistakes, and guiding them to solutions develops resilience, grit, and maturity. 

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Gone Boarding is a course that was conceived and developed by Bill Curtis and Bruce Macartney, teachers in the Forest Hills Public School's District in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They wanted to create something that would engage students who were slipping through the cracks of the school system. After reaching out to students asking, "what would you like to do?", they received answers that were the start of Gone Boarding. The STEAM curriculum includes standards for both math and VPAA, along with science, art, engineering, business, and an optional PE component. 

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Students in the Gone Boarding class work in groups. They design, construct, and learn to ride all types of boards including, but not limited to: surfboards, snowboards, skateboards / longboards, stand-up paddle boards, and wake boards. Students also take part in service projects involving the school's district's younger students through a mentoring relationship built around action sports, and partner with the community to make an impact on the world both locally and globally. Every kid in America should have the opportunity to experience Gone Boarding, as it allows them to fully engage with their learning and take ownership of their future. 

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What We Offer

• Full access to the online curriculum with ongoing support 

• 2 or 3 day teacher training workshop

• All supplies and materials for the board builds

• Access to our network of educators, students, and industry leaders across the country

• Enhancement and advancement opportunities for your students with our partners in the action sports industry
• All hard goods and safety equipment for running the optional Physical Education portion of the course

What Does Your School Need to Run the Program? 

• A "Champion" teacher(s) with a passion for kids!

• A work space for designing and creating the boards

  • A fully functioning shop is helpful but not necessary

• Access to the Gone Boarding curriculum

• Student willing to Dream it... Build it... Shred it!

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