Extension ServiceOutdoor school curriculum
Every Oregon student deserves an engaging and relevant outdoor school program.
The Oregon State University Extension Service Outdoor School program does not mandate a standard curriculum for school districts and outdoor school providers. Instead, we support educators in developing curriculum that meets the requirements of ORS 327.390 and designing programs that fit students' and communities' needs.
The OSU Extension Service Outdoor School program offers support to individuals and teams who are revising or developing curriculum for outdoor school. Though curriculum varies by program based on considerations such as the students' needs and the natural assets of the outdoor school site, we hope all curriculum:
- Centers equity
- Helps students develop a connection to special places
- Supports students' academic and social-emotional growth.
Characteristics of high-quality curriculum
If you are trying to develop or improve an outdoor school program, check out the OSU Extension Service Outdoor School program's Self-Evaluation Tools! These three tools provide an overview of features of inclusive, meaningful outdoor school programs and are organized around three themes:
- Instructional resources and curriculum (the Instructional Resource Self-Evaluation Tool)
- Cultural responsiveness, equity, diversity, and inclusion (the Cultural Responsiveness Self-Evaluation Tool)
- Accessibility and support for students with disabilities (the Special Education and Accessibility Self-Evaluation Tool)
The tools are designed to support outdoor school educators in thinking critically about their programs, building on strengths, and making changes to better support students. Each tool is accompanied by a resource page that guides educators in learning more about each topic.
Also, the Oregon Environmental Literacy Plan (OELP) is a roadmap for K-12 environmental literacy education. The plan is built around five strands:
- Systems thinking
- Physical, living, and human systems
- Interconnectedness of people and the environment
- Personal and civic responsibility
- Investigating, planning, and creating a sustainable future.
Examples of curriculum that support outdoor school in the classroom and field
We are including examples of curriculum that support outdoor school in the classroom – before and after outdoor school – and ones that are used in the field during outdoor school. These highlight:
- The importance of the state’s soil, water, plants, animals, and other natural resources
- The interrelationship of the state’s natural resources with working lands (agriculture, forestry) and growth and development needs.
The curriculum we're linking to below does not represent the full scope of what is being used throughout the state. As curriculum and resources are identified and made available to our program, we will continue to share examples that are easily accessible.
Do you have a high-quality curriculum that you would like to share with others? Please contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss this with you!
Outdoor School specific curricula
Ag in the classroom
Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation has a number of activities and resources that support agriculture and forestry before, during or after outdoor school.
Forestry education
Visit the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) webpage which has a variety of activities and resources that support Forestry education — before, during or after outdoor school. Many are translated into Spanish.
