Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather going to be like at Outdoor School?
This being Oregon, the weather at Outdoor School sites is quite variable. Temperatures at Outdoor School are usually a bit cooler than in town. Sometimes it will rain at Outdoor School when it is merely overcast in the Portland metro area. Students should come prepared for any kind of weather, even if it is sunny and warm when they pack their bags to go to Outdoor School! Click here for a packing list. Some study areas at Outdoor School may have tarps to keep the rain off, but not all, and if it rains, students will get wet. Students need to bring warm clothing and raingear with them. Every Outdoor School site has rain ponchos and warm coats that children may borrow. Cabins are heated.
Where and when will my child be attending Outdoor School?
Outdoor School is in session in the fall and the spring of the school year. We use four Outdoor School sites. If your child is going to Outdoor School during the fall session, your child’s teacher can tell you where and when as early as the first day of school. If your child is attending in the spring, contact your child’s teacher in February to find out which site and week he or she will be going to Outdoor School.
What time will the bus leave for Outdoor School?
Your child’s teacher will have specific instructions for bus departure.
How does Outdoor School deal with children with special dietary, educational and/or medical needs?
Be sure to share any concerns about your child’s participation at Outdoor School with your child’s teacher. Outdoor School will supply to your child's teacher a form upon which information relating to dietary, medical and special needs of students is written. This form will be delivered to the Outdoor School office at least two weeks before your child attends Outdoor School. The information on this form will be shared with the head cook and nurse at your child's camp before he/she arrives. Sometimes, our cooks and nurses call parents to clarify any concerns relating to dietary, medical and special needs.
Also, feel free to contact the Outdoor School Administrative Support Team at 503-614-1402 or by e-mail at ODSOfficeAdmin@nwresd.k12.or.us.
What medicine should I send with my child?
The nurse at each Outdoor School site maintains a supply of over-the-counter medications. You should send prescription medications in the original container with your child to Outdoor School. For more information and specific instructions, see the Student Medical Form.
What happens if my child gets hurt or ill at Outdoor School?
Each Outdoor School site has a licensed nurse to respond to illness and injury. Nurses are on-site the entire time that students are at Outdoor School. Also, every Outdoor School staff member is certified in first aid and CPR. In the unlikely event that your child becomes ill or gets hurts, the nurse will contact parents as soon as possible.
Are Outdoor School staff trained in first aid and CPR?
Outdoor School requires every staff member to be certified in first aid and CPR. In addition, most staff members are trained to respond to severe allergic reactions.
What happens if my child gets homesick?
A little homesickness is a very common occurrence at Outdoor School. Our staff and the teachers work to keep children active and engaged in the activities at Outdoor School. Most homesickness fades away after the first night. To help prepare your child for success before their departure, encourage them to have a good time; clarify that “you want them to enjoy Outdoor School,” “build memories,” and “return home with stories to tell them.” For many students, this may be their first extended period away from home. Reassuring your child about the fun you want them to have decreases the likelihood of homesickness.
Who will share my child's cabin? Are the restrooms private?
Cabins are led by volunteer high school Student Leaders who live in the cabins with the students. Each cabin will have a mixture of students from each of the participating classes. At Outdoor School we support a student’s right to use a facility corresponding with their gender identity. Students and Student Leaders that identify as male will be placed in male cabins and use male designated bathrooms. Students and Student Leaders that identify as female will be placed in female cabins and use female designated bathrooms. At Outdoor School students typically change clothes in cabins and shower in single-stall shower facilities. Single stall bathrooms are also available to any student who desires increased privacy. If the student’s cabin and bathroom assignment does not meet the student’s comfort level, ODS staff will work with the parent to create a solution that ensures student safety and comfort.
How are high school Student Leaders trained and selected?
Student Leaders must be at least in the 10th grade and in good academic standing at their school before being eligible for Outdoor School. Teachers and guidance counselors at the high schools, as well as the high schoolers’ parents, give students permission to attend an in-town training. At the training, Outdoor School staff members train and select students who show an aptitude for leadership and demonstrate responsibility, enthusiasm, and leadership skills. After the in-town training, high school students who are selected are again screened by high school teachers and guidance counselors before they receive permission to attend Outdoor School as a Student Leader. Each week, our Student Leaders arrive at our sites a day before the younger students arrive, to receive a full day of hands-on, interactive training from our staff members. While at Outdoor School, Student Leaders work under close supervision of Outdoor School staff and classroom teachers.
How much does Outdoor School cost?
Outdoor School is a service of the Northwest Regional Education Service District for school districts in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties, as well as many schools from other parts of Oregon. Most school districts that attend our program charge a fee for Outdoor School. Contact your child’s teacher or principal to find out if your school district charges a fee for Outdoor School.
Where can I send a letter to my child?
Send letters to your child at the address of the site he or she is attending. Addresses are on the Sites & Photos page of this website. Please do not send “care packages” with food or candy to children at Outdoor School. Please be cautious in the word choice in your letters. Sharing your feelings of sadness at their absence can spur homesickness in your child. Instead, focus on how much you are looking forward to hearing about their week at Outdoor School when they get home. Mail is distributed daily to students, but may take several days to reach the Outdoor School site from Portland, so please plan ahead.
Are the cabins heated?
All cabins at Outdoor School are weatherized and heated. Students sleep on bunk beds with mattresses. Bathrooms are either in the cabin or in a nearby building and are furnished with flush toilets, sinks and showers with hot water.
What, exactly, goes on at Outdoor School?
For that answer to that question, please check out the Outdoor School Mission and the Program Tour portions of this website, as well as our Powerpoint slideshow.
This being Oregon, the weather at Outdoor School sites is quite variable. Temperatures at Outdoor School are usually a bit cooler than in town. Sometimes it will rain at Outdoor School when it is merely overcast in the Portland metro area. Students should come prepared for any kind of weather, even if it is sunny and warm when they pack their bags to go to Outdoor School! Click here for a packing list. Some study areas at Outdoor School may have tarps to keep the rain off, but not all, and if it rains, students will get wet. Students need to bring warm clothing and raingear with them. Every Outdoor School site has rain ponchos and warm coats that children may borrow. Cabins are heated.
Where and when will my child be attending Outdoor School?
Outdoor School is in session in the fall and the spring of the school year. We use four Outdoor School sites. If your child is going to Outdoor School during the fall session, your child’s teacher can tell you where and when as early as the first day of school. If your child is attending in the spring, contact your child’s teacher in February to find out which site and week he or she will be going to Outdoor School.
What time will the bus leave for Outdoor School?
Your child’s teacher will have specific instructions for bus departure.
How does Outdoor School deal with children with special dietary, educational and/or medical needs?
Be sure to share any concerns about your child’s participation at Outdoor School with your child’s teacher. Outdoor School will supply to your child's teacher a form upon which information relating to dietary, medical and special needs of students is written. This form will be delivered to the Outdoor School office at least two weeks before your child attends Outdoor School. The information on this form will be shared with the head cook and nurse at your child's camp before he/she arrives. Sometimes, our cooks and nurses call parents to clarify any concerns relating to dietary, medical and special needs.
Also, feel free to contact the Outdoor School Administrative Support Team at 503-614-1402 or by e-mail at ODSOfficeAdmin@nwresd.k12.or.us.
What medicine should I send with my child?
The nurse at each Outdoor School site maintains a supply of over-the-counter medications. You should send prescription medications in the original container with your child to Outdoor School. For more information and specific instructions, see the Student Medical Form.
What happens if my child gets hurt or ill at Outdoor School?
Each Outdoor School site has a licensed nurse to respond to illness and injury. Nurses are on-site the entire time that students are at Outdoor School. Also, every Outdoor School staff member is certified in first aid and CPR. In the unlikely event that your child becomes ill or gets hurts, the nurse will contact parents as soon as possible.
Are Outdoor School staff trained in first aid and CPR?
Outdoor School requires every staff member to be certified in first aid and CPR. In addition, most staff members are trained to respond to severe allergic reactions.
What happens if my child gets homesick?
A little homesickness is a very common occurrence at Outdoor School. Our staff and the teachers work to keep children active and engaged in the activities at Outdoor School. Most homesickness fades away after the first night. To help prepare your child for success before their departure, encourage them to have a good time; clarify that “you want them to enjoy Outdoor School,” “build memories,” and “return home with stories to tell them.” For many students, this may be their first extended period away from home. Reassuring your child about the fun you want them to have decreases the likelihood of homesickness.
Who will share my child's cabin? Are the restrooms private?
Cabins are led by volunteer high school Student Leaders who live in the cabins with the students. Each cabin will have a mixture of students from each of the participating classes. At Outdoor School we support a student’s right to use a facility corresponding with their gender identity. Students and Student Leaders that identify as male will be placed in male cabins and use male designated bathrooms. Students and Student Leaders that identify as female will be placed in female cabins and use female designated bathrooms. At Outdoor School students typically change clothes in cabins and shower in single-stall shower facilities. Single stall bathrooms are also available to any student who desires increased privacy. If the student’s cabin and bathroom assignment does not meet the student’s comfort level, ODS staff will work with the parent to create a solution that ensures student safety and comfort.
How are high school Student Leaders trained and selected?
Student Leaders must be at least in the 10th grade and in good academic standing at their school before being eligible for Outdoor School. Teachers and guidance counselors at the high schools, as well as the high schoolers’ parents, give students permission to attend an in-town training. At the training, Outdoor School staff members train and select students who show an aptitude for leadership and demonstrate responsibility, enthusiasm, and leadership skills. After the in-town training, high school students who are selected are again screened by high school teachers and guidance counselors before they receive permission to attend Outdoor School as a Student Leader. Each week, our Student Leaders arrive at our sites a day before the younger students arrive, to receive a full day of hands-on, interactive training from our staff members. While at Outdoor School, Student Leaders work under close supervision of Outdoor School staff and classroom teachers.
How much does Outdoor School cost?
Outdoor School is a service of the Northwest Regional Education Service District for school districts in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties, as well as many schools from other parts of Oregon. Most school districts that attend our program charge a fee for Outdoor School. Contact your child’s teacher or principal to find out if your school district charges a fee for Outdoor School.
Where can I send a letter to my child?
Send letters to your child at the address of the site he or she is attending. Addresses are on the Sites & Photos page of this website. Please do not send “care packages” with food or candy to children at Outdoor School. Please be cautious in the word choice in your letters. Sharing your feelings of sadness at their absence can spur homesickness in your child. Instead, focus on how much you are looking forward to hearing about their week at Outdoor School when they get home. Mail is distributed daily to students, but may take several days to reach the Outdoor School site from Portland, so please plan ahead.
Are the cabins heated?
All cabins at Outdoor School are weatherized and heated. Students sleep on bunk beds with mattresses. Bathrooms are either in the cabin or in a nearby building and are furnished with flush toilets, sinks and showers with hot water.
What, exactly, goes on at Outdoor School?
For that answer to that question, please check out the Outdoor School Mission and the Program Tour portions of this website, as well as our Powerpoint slideshow.