What is Outdoor School?
Founded in 1968, Outdoor School provides 6th grade students the chance to learn about the natural environment of Oregon by spending 4 days at an overnight camp in the woods or at the beach. Outdoor School occurs for 6 - 12 weeks every fall and spring. Each site has an amazing staff working around the clock to support both the 6th graders and the Student Leaders. Learn more by exploring our ABOUT US pages.
What is a Student Leader?
Student Leaders — mostly high school students and some college students — live in cabins at overnight Outdoor School with the 6th graders and teach fun, hands-on outdoor field study activities relating to plants, animals, water, soil, and the ocean. Being a Student Leader is one of the most fun, inspiring and rewarding experiences you can ever have! Student Leaders learn valuable leadership , teamwork, communication and teaching skills. Student Leaders lead interactive, hands-on outdoor activities that are designed to be taught to small groups of sixth-graders, and are simple and fun. Each Student Leader is also in charge of a cabin of sixth-graders, living in the cabin with them and leading them in many cabin group activities such as games, icebreakers, skits, songs and more!
You will make many great new friends from other high schools, some of whom could become lifelong friends. You will gain valuable volunteer experience that looks great on college, scholarship and job applications. You can earn transferable college credit, and many high schools offer credit, too! And, most of all, you will change the lives of elementary school students, often in ways that you'll never know. Printable Student Leader Brochure
You will make many great new friends from other high schools, some of whom could become lifelong friends. You will gain valuable volunteer experience that looks great on college, scholarship and job applications. You can earn transferable college credit, and many high schools offer credit, too! And, most of all, you will change the lives of elementary school students, often in ways that you'll never know. Printable Student Leader Brochure
What make a great Student Leader? ✰ Enthusiasm! ✰ Flexibility (a great team player!) ✰ Responsibility and Dependability ✰ Willing to learn and have fun ✰ Able to miss a week of school ✰ Enjoys working with children |
Why be a Student Leader?
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Sign up!
New for Spring 2023, our Student Leader registration process is entirely online. Once you complete the registration, please check your email account's inbox & spam folders. If you are a high school student, please also let your parent/guardian know to check their email account. Our program will notify high school counseling office staff for each high school student who registers, to ask if they approve. Please email ods@nwresd.k12.or.us if you have questions.
Student Leaders must be 10th grade or older. Student Leaders who are 15 years of age or younger
are not required to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
Student Leaders who are 16 years of age or older during their week(s) of being a Student Leader are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, as per Oregon Administrative Rule (O.A.R.) 333-019-1030.
Student Leaders must be 10th grade or older. Student Leaders who are 15 years of age or younger
are not required to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
Student Leaders who are 16 years of age or older during their week(s) of being a Student Leader are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19, as per Oregon Administrative Rule (O.A.R.) 333-019-1030.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Attend a Training at the place you RSVP'd for in your registration process.
Prepare to go to Outdoor School, participate & answer questions
Prepare to go to Outdoor School, participate & answer questions
Step 3:
Confirm via text or email
Submit heath information, confirm week and site
submit final approvals from school
Submit heath information, confirm week and site
submit final approvals from school
Before you go to Outdoor School, make sure you have:
- Completed pre-arranged absences form
- Completed Student Leader Health Form
- Received site information and directions
- Check out the Student Leader Packing List
- After returning home: receive information about recruiting, Oregon Child Care Registry Application, and PCC College Credit