Far + Wise

06/22/2026

🙌 Shoutout to our Far + Wise team of educators who are spending time this summer helping students strengthen academic and social-emotional skills, while mixing in lots of summer fun!

This is made possible thanks to the Wood River Community YMCA's Summer Bridge program. Thank you, Wood River Community YMCA, for providing this important service for elementary students in Blaine County.

06/19/2026

This week, Far + Wise sent local middle and high school students out for an immersive look at environmental conservation, and the variety of careers in this growing field.

Teens explored local natural areas, including Silver Creek Preserve and Rinker Rock Creek Ranch. Throughout the week, they learned directly from scientists, ranchers, researchers, and a group of international National Geographic Society-Nature Conservancy externs, who are currently working on innovative ecological solutions around the globe. 🌍

Activities included stream restoration, wildfire management, native plant identification, and solar installation. They got their hands dirty, exploring work that has the potential to make big positive changes for our planet's health.

Thank you to our community partners who made this experience possible: The Nature Conservancy, Idaho; University of Idaho Rinker Rock Creek Ranch; U.S. Forest Service; National Geographic; Blue Bird Solar.

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06/18/2026

Our summer programs are designed to give teens the opportunity to explore something new, and our culinary camp does exactly that.

This week, Far + Wise Career Center teens stepped into a real professional kitchen with our community partner, Sun Valley Culinary Institute, where they're learning techniques used by elite chefs.

We're excited to see them sample a true taste of what a career in culinary arts looks like, and gain skills that can be carried with them in the kitchen and beyond.

06/13/2026

Far + Wise summer interns have started their assignments with businesses throughout Blaine County – thank you to Little River Preschool, for taking part in this partnership, and help train the future of our area's workforce. 💙

06/11/2026

We're prepped for a summer full of enriching programming for Blaine County youth. Our Executive Director, Sam Herrick, shares all the details with Eye On Sun Valley: https://eyeonsunvalley.com/Story_Reader/14025/Far-and-Wise-Expands-Its-Summer-Offerings/

Thank you to our Community Partners:
Sun Valley Resort Wood River Community YMCA College of Southern Idaho Blaine County School District #61 The Nature Conservancy in Idaho Wood River High School Blaine County Sheriff Idaho Hailey Police Department Senior Connection Sun Valley Culinary Sun Valley Economic Development Lee Gilman Builders Project Big Wood 5B Anglers Little River Preschool Big Wood School The Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Far + Wise is having a summer like no other..... READ MORE

06/10/2026

Summer’s off to an amazing start. 🚔

We kicked things off with our Law Enforcement camp for local teens, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at a career in law enforcement.

This was all made possible through an incredible partnership with the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office, Bellevue Marshal’s Office, Hailey Police Department, and Sun Valley Police Department, who all coordinate together to operate the Blaine County Law Enforcement Explorer Academy.

These young people showed up, stepped outside their comfort zones, and learned directly from our local hero’s who work around the clock to help keep our community safe.

We hope to see them back for our high school-level academy, where they can learn more in depth about this vital field. The future of public safety is in good hands. 💙

Far + Wise has many more opportunities available this summer that fit a variety of interests, check them out on our website, link in bio!

06/09/2026

Far + Wise is pleased to extend our deep appreciation to the U.S. Bank Foundation, which has granted funds to support Far + Wise Career Center training experiences.

Because of this support, Far + Wise can continue to bring game-changing career training opportunities to youth in Blaine County.

We deeply appreciate this meaningful support – thank you,

06/05/2026

Our youngest Lewis Scholars ended the year with much to celebrate. 🎓

Their Far + Wise after school teachers are proud to report that these kiddos started their educational journeys off with enthusiasm, and all showed strides in emerging reading and math skills, built new friendships, and discovered their own capabilities.

We are thrilled to have welcomed them into the Far + Wise family. 💙

Blaine County School District #61

06/03/2026

Far + Wise students in our Lewis Scholar after school program have been working hard all year – making strides in reading, writing, math, and so much more. We're incredibly proud of their growth and accomplishments!

Wishing all of our LSP families a safe summer of adventure and fun. 💙☀️💙

Blaine County School District #61

05/30/2026

Far + Wise is honored to welcome Louisa C. Moats, Ed.D. to our Board of Directors.

Ms. Moats is a nationally recognized authority on literacy and reading instruction, with a career spanning teaching, psychology, research, and graduate education. A Harvard-trained educator, she’s best known as the lead author of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), a professional development program now used by approximately 300,000 teachers across the United States.

Dr. Moats is also the author of Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers, LANGUAGE! Live, and co-author of Spellography. Her work has shaped state-level literacy policy, including Idaho's SMART Project and the Idaho Dyslexia Handbook. She’s also served on the board of the International Dyslexia Association, and is the recipient of the Samuel T. and June L. Orton Award and the Reading League's Benita Blachman Award. A Sun Valley, Idaho resident since 2004, she remains an active advocate for evidence-based literacy instruction.

She will be a vital support in our efforts to bring early literacy intervention to Blaine County Students. We are grateful for her committment to help guide Far + Wise as we deliver this critical service.