Two filmmakers return to Guilford High School in Guilford, Connecticut to screen their newly completed documentary—just acquired by PBS—for students and teachers. The film follows historian Mark S. Weiner as he journeys from the rugged peaks of Washington State to the alpine terrain of Tyrol, Austria, tracing the story of two mountain rescue organizations connected by an unexpected historical link.
At its heart, the documentary is a powerful meditation on volunteerism—what compels ordinary people to risk their lives for others, often with no compensation or recognition. Both rescue groups are rooted in a profound love for their home landscapes, showing that the path to saving a stranger begins with a deep connection to place and community.
Now, the filmmakers are creating a high school curriculum to accompany the film, helping students across the country explore the values of civic responsibility, service, and the global legacy of volunteer rescue. Their visit to Guilford High School is just the beginning of a larger conversation about what it means to give back.