Cabin Groups
Students stay in cabins at NW Outdoor Science School, often with students from different schools. Each cabin is led by our volunteer Student Leaders – trained high school and college students. By living and learning together, students develop new friendships, strengthen old ones, and learn how to get along with a wide variety of people. They discover new talents and put aside old fears. They learn how human actions have a very real impact on their community – no matter how large or small.
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Field Study
In the natural laboratory at NW Outdoor Science School, the study of ecology, science, math and conservation of natural resources takes on real meaning. Field Study allows students to explore the natural world under the guidance of our qualified Staff and volunteer Student Leaders. Students spend approximately 2 ½ hours on Field Study each morning and afternoon. Through hands-on, interactive activities, students develop an understanding of individual parts of the environment and how the parts fit together. They develop an appreciation of the natural world, and of their place in it. And they have fun while doing so!
Field study activities are developed and implemented by the Field Instructors at each site. Program leaders assist on field studies, and our volunteer Student Leaders are trained to teach many of the activities. This enables us to keep study group sizes small, usually between 6-8 students. Smaller study groups allow for more personal attention to be given to each student, thereby engaging them in active learning all day long. Some of the ideas & concepts students learn about at Outdoor School are: Habitat & Adaptations, Plant Identification, Ocean Tides, Animal Signs & Tracking, Aquatic Animal Collection, Water Quality (pH & Dissolved Oxygen), Photosynthesis, Rock Cycle & Geology, Marine Invertebrates, Bird Watching and Identification, Plant Succession, Predator/Prey, Watersheds, Soil Profiles
Field study activities are developed and implemented by the Field Instructors at each site. Program leaders assist on field studies, and our volunteer Student Leaders are trained to teach many of the activities. This enables us to keep study group sizes small, usually between 6-8 students. Smaller study groups allow for more personal attention to be given to each student, thereby engaging them in active learning all day long. Some of the ideas & concepts students learn about at Outdoor School are: Habitat & Adaptations, Plant Identification, Ocean Tides, Animal Signs & Tracking, Aquatic Animal Collection, Water Quality (pH & Dissolved Oxygen), Photosynthesis, Rock Cycle & Geology, Marine Invertebrates, Bird Watching and Identification, Plant Succession, Predator/Prey, Watersheds, Soil Profiles
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Campfire
Everyday of Outdoor School ends with a fun campfire program. For an hour before bedtime, everyone comes together to sing songs (both rowdy & quiet), entertain each other with skits and chants, and hear folk tales. Many students who are shy and quiet at home blossom when performing on stage at campfire, much to the delight of their peers and teachers! Campfire is yet another chance for students to grow at Outdoor School.
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Student Leaders
Student Leaders are trained by our staff in positive leadership and team-building skills, child management & teaching techniques, field study curriculum, and NW Outdoor Science School procedures. They create a fun, wholesome environment for students by engaging them in games, songs, skits and other activities. They role model appropriate behavior for students, and help lead them in performing assigned duties, such as cleaning their cabin or the dining hall. Student Leaders also teach many of the field study activities in which students participate.
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Example of a Daily Schedule
A day at NW Outdoor Science School is packed with activities. There is one time set aside for doing nothing – we call it “bedtime.” Otherwise, everyone is kept busy all day long with fun activities. Even during cabin times, Student Leaders are helping their students play games, clean the cabin, get ready for field study, and more.
Below is an example of a typical day:
7:00 Wake-up
7:35 Flag Ceremony
7:45 Breakfast
8:30 Duties & Cabin Clean-Up
9:15 Morning Field Study
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Cabin Time
1:45 Afternoon Field Study
4:15 Meetings & Homeroom Time
5:00 Recreation for Students (Free time for Student Leaders)
6:10 Flag Ceremony
6:15 Dinner
7:00 Cabin Time
8:00 Campfire
9:30 Lights out for sixth-graders
Below is an example of a typical day:
7:00 Wake-up
7:35 Flag Ceremony
7:45 Breakfast
8:30 Duties & Cabin Clean-Up
9:15 Morning Field Study
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Cabin Time
1:45 Afternoon Field Study
4:15 Meetings & Homeroom Time
5:00 Recreation for Students (Free time for Student Leaders)
6:10 Flag Ceremony
6:15 Dinner
7:00 Cabin Time
8:00 Campfire
9:30 Lights out for sixth-graders
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NichesEach day, every cabin group of students is assigned one or two camp niches which are small jobs that small groups do together. With a staff member facilitating each niche, cabin groups help pitch in to do their part to keep the community of the outdoor school site running smoothly. Niches include setting tables in the dining hall before meals and cleaning up the dining hall after meals, composting & recycling, bathroom cleanup, flag ceremony color guard, weather presentations, and more. Niches are short, easy and the staff usually make them fun, too!
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Health & WellnessEach of our sites has a Nurse (RN or LPN) on the staff team. That person is in charge of all things related to health, medicines, safety and first-aid. All of our staff members are certified in first-aid, CPR, bloodborne pathogens and severe allergic reactions. The nurse keeps the medical & health history forms that every person on site much turn in to participate in our program. Our sites have all of the typical over-the-counter medications in their supplies. In the event of injury or sickness, the nurse will contact the parents/guardians of students and Student Leaders, so they will always be up-to-date.
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Meal TimesMeals at Outdoor School are excellent opportunities times to build community. At Northwest Outdoor Science School we use meal times to build interpersonal bonds and community while modeling good table manners and dining etiquette. Mealtimes are a wonderful opportunity for students to meet new people and make new friends. Our food is nutritional and tasty, as our cooks prepare it from scratch. Indeed, when asked what their favorite part of Northwest Outdoor School School is, many students exclaim, “The food!”
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Night HikesNight hikes let students experience the nocturnal side of nature. They do activities that demonstrate the adaptations of animals that are active at night, as well as of the human body. They listen for animals, observe the night sky (if it’s clear), and work together to remain as quiet as possible. Night hikes allow students to overcome their fear of the dark while experiencing nature in a way that many of them have never before experienced.
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RecreationWhile learning is the focus of Outdoor School, everybody needs a time to just unwind and have fun. Recreation is that time! Every afternoon, students get an hour to participate with staff & counselors in other fun outdoor adventures, such as hiking, fort building, bird watching, beach combing, nature crafts, storytelling time, arts and drawing, field games, and more.
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