Outdoor Education

The Outdoor Education program, in third through seventh grades, allows students opportunities to explore the natural world during unique and rewarding field experiences. Outdoor Education trips are invaluable in strengthening students’ relationships, both among one another and with their teachers. Students develop self-reliance, independence, cooperation and trust. They gain an appreciation of wilderness areas, insight into human interdependence with the environment, and awareness of the delicate ecological balance. Trained outdoors educators lead the students in fun and challenging activities. Where relevant, teachers integrate students’ outdoor experience with the science and history curricula.

Third grade students visit Walker Creek in West Marin for two-and-a-half days. Naturalists lead them on short nature hikes to study garden, pond, creek and bay forest ecosystems. The fourth grade spends three days at Coloma Outdoor Discovery School, near a historic mining town, complementing their study of California history. Fifth graders camp for three days at Calaveras Big Trees, hiking through redwood and pygmy forests. Sixth grade students camp at the Pinnacles for four days, rock climbing and discovering the area’s geology and ecosystems. The seventh grade spends five days in Yosemite, hiking and team-building, concluding with a two-night backpacking trip in small groups.