Every sixth grader in Oregon should go to outdoor school. The local service for Multnomah County is the MESD (Multnomah Education Service District) although there are a variety of programs across the state. One of the unique opportunities of several programs across the state is that they utilize high school volunteers to take the most student forward role. Outdoor school, while it is somewhat akin to normal school, it is significantly more science focused.
Outdoor school in Oregon started in the 1960’s but the history of outdoor education goes back further than that. The earliest public school camping program was in Iowa in 1912, between then and the 1950’s there were a variety of outdoor programs around the country that all ended up laying the groundwork for the current outdoor school program in Oregon. The first outdoor school program in Oregon that resembles current day outdoor school was in 1957 run by Dr. Irene Hollenbeck. This trip, much like current day MESD Outdoor School, took fifth and sixth graders on a five day trip with assistance from resource people from the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, the Forest Service, and Oregon Game Commission. There were then a few other trial programs, with a large-scale outdoor school program becoming implemented in 1966, serving 500 students in the first year. One thing that was not present in the first few sessions of outdoor school, that is now a vital aspect of the program, is the Student Leaders.
Student Leaders have a variety of roles at outdoor school, from leading cabins, building community, and teaching field study. Student Leaders are the most student-facing role on site. Each Student Leader has their own favorite part of the program, some Student Leaders love to sing the songs, some have a passion for teaching science, and some love building community. When asking a four time Student Leader, Orianna Reid, what they love about the program she said that she loves to “build rapport” and “the amount of learning they allow you to do. “As an outdoor school leader you are given a wide variety of opportunities for you to grow and change as a leader.
When looking at the broader picture, outdoor school is really about science. While field study is nearly completely taught by Student Leaders, you are not left completely in the dark and field study can be one of the best times for your personal growth. Field study has four different sections, and each Student Leader gets to choose one while the sixth graders rotate through all of them. Your four options to choose from are soil, water, plants, and animals. During each field study the sixth graders delve into an aspect of the environment, allowing them to have a comprehensive view of their environment by the end of the week. During each field study, while you are helping to deepen the sixth graders’ connection to the place, you deepen your own understanding and connection to the natural world. Personally, I find field study to be my favorite part of the program, I love teaching and developing the curriculum.
Outdoor School has become an institution in Oregon, with generations of Oregonians participating, and in 2016 Measure 99 passed allowing for districts to use statewide lottery funds to fund outdoor school for every student. Although the value for sixth graders is indisputable, the value for Student Leaders can be more hidden. A program leader, and temporary site supervisor, Cozy, states that the value is in “seeing yourself in a new light unburdened by most of the pressures of home or indoor school.”. This value is incredibly understated and not something that a lot of Student Leaders recognize until they try a week. If you think there is even a possibility you could want to be a Student Leader you should definitely try it out! Staff say that people who are willing to try new things should try Outdoor School and that “You do not need to be the most outgoing or scientific person to find joy at ODS.”. Not only is it an opportunity for everyone but also if you are looking for an option for credit recovery that is only a week long outdoor school offers half an elective credit per week for up to two weeks a year so keep an eye out for posters around the school!
