Oak Grove’s Outdoor Education & Travel Program at the high school level offers opportunities to learn from nature, build lasting friendships, feel comfortable and secure in the outdoors, and become active stewards of the environment. Students learn the skills of increasing independence, cooperation and teamwork, and the ability to spend time in nature without the stimulus of electronics. The Senior India Trip is a culminating cross-cultural experience that is often life-changing. Students participate in two trips per year; one in the fall and one in the spring. Seniors participate in the fall camping trip, India trip, and spring internship.

Fall Camping Trip: The fall camping trip is designed to bring the whole high school together early in the year to orient and integrate new and returning students and teachers. The trip provides an opportunity for community building, developing friendships, building outdoor skills and spending time in nature “unplugged”. Living simply for a week invites students to consider their relationship to the natural world. A community service project is usually part of the trip. Students spend the week camping either on the California Coastal Islands, on one of the many beautiful beach camps along the California Coast or in the Sierra Mountains.

Spring Trips: These are one week long and are usually tied to curriculum and include a community service component. Freshmen and sophomore students backpack locally in the Los Padres National Forest, learning and practicing the outdoor skills of self-reliance, team-work, and leadership. Juniors may travel to the Southwest, backpack locally, or explore California while visiting colleges and universities. Seniors self-design an internship week in preparation for graduation.

Senior India Trip: This transformational signature trip is offered each year in December/January. Students participate in the daily life of Oak Grove’s sister schools in Chennai, Rishi Valley, and Bangalore, and volunteer for projects such as environmental sustainability or reforestation efforts.