Nature-Based Outdoor Education
Get Outside of the Classroom
We know that a great education doesn’t have to take place in a classroom; in fact, many times it takes place outdoors.
We foster personalized attention between teachers and students, parents and teachers, and students and their peers. When students, families, and staff work together as a community, it gives students all the tools they need to reach their goals.
Why Outdoor Education
We have a natural outdoor resource located at our school, as well as an opportunity to use the natural resources of our community.
We believe that if we can get the students to reconnect and re-engage with the world around them, in a manner that is not segmented by learning silos and focused more on project-based learning, student growth, grit, and engagement will increase and apathy will decrease.
Outdoor Discovery Center Education Network
We’ve formed a relational partnership with the Outdoor Discovery Center Education Network (ODCEN) to help us with student achievement and whole-child student growth that encompasses emotional, social, spiritual, and physical well-being. The ODCEN provides ambassadors for each teacher to help develop standards-based projects and co-teach an integrated educational program that gets the students outside and strongly supports our STEAM initiative.
The ODC Education Network was created in 2016 in an effort to provide consultation services and professional development training to connect student learning to the outdoors. The staff work with educators, administrators, and members of the community to build and provide nature-based experiences for students. The ODCEN mission is to provide access to high quality experiences that bring together communities, children, educators, and their natural world.
“Spending time in nature enhances educational outcomes by improving children’s academic performance, focus, behavior and love of learning.” Children and Nature Network
Learn more about nature-enriched education.
Have a look at these resources from the Children and Nature Network to learn more about nature-enriched education.