Environmental education (PreK-12)

Check out the Outdoor School programs!

OSU Extension works in collaboration with schools, partners, and communities to support and grow the statewide Outdoor School program, building on a legacy that began in 1966. Outdoor School programs offer immersive educational experiences and support equitable, culturally responsive, and interdisciplinary opportunities for Oregon's youth.

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Latest Resources

Angel Outside: An Outdoor School Story

Angel is uncertain about what to expect at outdoor school, and his family shares his nerves. However, they all embrace the challenge of this new adventure. As Angel navigates this transformative experience, he forges meaningful ...

Apr 2025 | Video

Episode 57: Recreating - Balancing Fun with Ecology

Learn about ecotourism resources just in time for outdoor weather in Oregon!

Lauren Grand, Dr. Ashley D'Antonio | Mar 2025 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Episode 56: Branching Out - Youth and Forestry in Focus

Nancy Geyer, Lauren Grand, and Trinity Long-Hindman discuss approaches to youth audiences regarding environmental education.

Lauren Grand | Jan 2025 | Podcast episode Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Exploring Water Habitats: Wetlands, Streams, Oceans

By Virginia Bourdeau

This curriculum introduces youth to the science and function of wetlands, streams, and oceans, and how human activities affect climate and environmental function and health.

View publication

Photo Credit: Danita Delimont - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest News

New documentary brings Oregon’s Outdoor School experience to life

For many Oregonians, Outdoor School is a rite of passage that crosses generations. OSU Extension produced a 17-minute documentary about this journey following sixth-grader Angel at Camp Kuratli.

Grace Xue | May 27, 2025 | News story

Students experience nature at Hopkins Demonstration Forest

The OSU Extension-led educational programs provide immense value to the public by fostering a connection between youths and the natural world.

Peter Matzka | May 2025 | Impact story

Natural Resource Days provide outdoor education for students in Coos County

Students rotated through stations at South Slough Reserve focusing on plant identification, tree measurements and forest ecology.

Grace Xue | Apr 29, 2025 | News story

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More Outdoor School Resources

Outdoor School: Making Nature Observations: When we pay attention to our surroundings, we notice things with our senses, learn how here. New activities every week.

Try these Extension opportunities

Natural science projects

Entomology, forestry, meteorology, and more

4-H Youth Development

OSU Environmental Leadership for Youth (ELY) Short Film - 2018

This video is about the OSU Environmental Leadership for Youth (ELY) program that invites a diversity of students from 8th to 12th grades in the Willamette Valley to be inspired by natural areas, watershed science and community engagement.

Feb 2019 | OSU Sea Grant Publication

Upcoming Events

Jun 26

Outdoor School Community of Practice

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm PDT Online

Jun 27

Tree School East 2025

8:00 am - 5:00 pm Baker City, OR

Jun 28

Learning Garden Fair

10:00 am - 1:00 pm Beaverton, OR

Jul 10

Outdoor School Community of Practice

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm PDT Online

Meet Our Experts

Kristi Backe

Associate Director, Outdoor School

Kara Baylog

Forestry and Natural Resources Program Coordinator

Elliot Drake-Maurer

Outdoor School High School Coordinator

Kristopher Elliott

Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement, Director of OSU Extension

Contact me with questions about the Division of Extension and Engagement and OSU Extension Service.

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

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What should we plant in our school community garden?

Q: I’m a teacher and I want to start a community garden with my middle school students. We would like to grow a variety of flowers and other plants that will encourage pollinators. What do you recommend we plant? It should have maintenance needs appropriate for middle schoolers to provide.

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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