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Parent Category: Our School

Published on Monday, 19 October 2009 16:01

Oak Grove’s Outdoor Education & Travel Program at the elementary 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.

Group C(1st/2nd) – 3rd Grade students participate in a week long on-campus experience in fall that is theme based. This experience is designed to bring the lower elementary students together early in the year to orient and integrate new and returning students. The theme based week provides an opportunity for community building and developing friendships. In the spring each grade level participates in a short, local, camping trip to begin introducing outdoor skills. Children learn to relax and feel comfortable in nature as well as develop an appreciation of the environment.

4th – 6th Grade students participate in two trips per year. In the fall 4th through 6th grade travel together, usually to a beach destination, for a four day camping trip designed to bring the upper elementary students together early in the year to orient and integrate new and returning students. This experiential integrates learning about the natural world with fun community building games that help to build lasting friendships. In the spring each grade level participates in a 4 to 5 day camping trip to a Southern California destination. Trips may include Morro Bay, Zaca Lake, Joshua Tree, or the Channel Islands and offer an opportunity for each class to “unplug” and spend a week in nature.

Outdoor education is also offered through our horticulture program. All elementary students help work our organic gardens – seeing food go from garden to kitchen in our vegetarian hot lunch program. Children also participate in the Once Upon a Watershed program and make frequent use of local hiking trails.