Learning about nature and experiencing the outdoors are things students typically don’t get to do every day. However, 6th graders across Oregon have the opportunity to attend Outdoor School and learn about all kinds of things in nature, from layers in rocks to animal pelts. Outdoor School is a unique experience where students are sent to a camp for classes and live with students from other schools across the district for 4 days. This 4-day program provides students with an opportunity to engage in outdoor education, build social connections, and step out of their comfort zones.
The educational aspect of outdoor school is one of the most unique parts of the program. During the 4-day experience, campers participate in what the program calls ‘field studies’, which are classes on animals, water, soil, or plants. Each day, the campers have two of these field studies. “Plants field study teaches young 6th-grade students ways they can help the environment and gets them thinking deeply about pollinators, nitrogen, decomposers, and many things that help keep a forest healthy.” Is what the plant field study student leader, Milah Gilds, taught her students over the course of the program. “I think the most important part of Outdoor School for me is the sense of community. I feel like I really belong at Angelos, whether I’m teaching students or having fun with other student leaders during break! I find the experience has been nothing but positive and uplifting, and I have learned so much in the short time I’ve been a part of the program.” Is what she said when asked about the most important thing about the ODS program. Each field study included different activities for the campers. “My field study was amazing, teaching kids all about soil-related things and having them do fun activities such as smashing rocks, doing particle sizes such as sand, silt, and clay, and decomposition, and connecting it back to soil-related things.” Is what soil field study student leader Yaqi said. All of the field studies are unique and have the campers learning about a multitude of things, from the water cycle to rock layers to animals’ skulls.
Another important experience that outdoor school offers is the opportunity to make new friends and connections outside of your school or classroom. Each cabin consists of kids from different schools, so kids from all over the district get to meet and bunk with new people. Outdoor school also offers new social opportunities for student leaders, as they come from all over the district and Oregon. “I think the most important part of Outdoor School for me is the sense of community. I feel like I really belong at Angelos, whether I’m teaching students or having fun with other student leaders during break! I find the experience has been nothing but positive and uplifting, and I have learned so much in the short time I’ve been a part of the program.” Says Milah Gilds, who has been to two outdoor school sessions. Outdoor schools’ sense of community among campers, student leaders, and program leaders is unique among most other volunteering opportunities. Student leader Mel also shares her social experience at her weeks of outdoor school, “ My favorite outdoor school memory was campfire and singing songs with my fellow student leaders. I have only done one year, this year, but I did both the fall session and spring session of this year. I would gladly return as a volunteer.”
Outdoor school encourages campers to break out of their comfort zones, talk to new people, and try new things. Outdoor school is a brand new experience for all of its campers, and it is also typically a new experience for the student leaders. Student leader Yaqi was asked what she hoped to accomplish during her time at outdoor school, and she replied, “Breaking out of my comfort zone and try out new things, the first time I was there I was following behind another student leader for leading (campfire) songs, but in this second session, I lead with another student leader who didn’t wanna do it alone!”
Outdoor school is a great experience for its campers and also for the volunteer student leaders who choose to be there and give their time to educating students. The 4-day-long program is a great way for students to receive and give outdoor education, make new friends, and break out of their comfort zone.
