School Program Sample

We provide many different school programs themed around the concepts of community, sustainability and awareness and appreciation of the natural world. Also, our programs have a bioregional focus - for example, we have programs geared to desert study, mountain study, and marine environments.

Here is an example of an imaginary program for a fictitous group. Let's make them a class of seventh graders from the Southwest somewhere. After much pre trip work with the school during which we seek a good understanding of the School's goals and objectives for the program we have put this program together:

Profile:

A class of 22 coed seventh graders from a private school in the Southwest; two teachers and two parents are also planning on attending.

Time-frame: spring, Place: Joshua Tree National Park

Four program days including half a day of travel to/from the program.

Goals and objectives:

An all-around team builder with outdoor skills including rock climbing and outdoor living. Students will learn: how to pack for a day hike, the basics of rock climbing, camp-craft and outdoor cooking, basic astronomy, desert ecology and human history of Joshua Tree National Park. Through facilitated group living in a camp/outdoor setting they will also function better as a group and form tighter team bonds.

Logistics and contracting: after several phone meetings between OL and the school a framework is agreed upon and a contracting process begun. OL provides a detailed (draft) contract which specifies what is provided and what is not, and what the program will cost. A deposit and cancellation policy is agreed upon and final drafts of the contract are signed by representatives of both organizations.

Leadership: Outdoor Link provides 3 or 4 staff, more or less depending on what agreements have been made.

Provided: Food and all necessary kitchen and climbing equipment; tools for desert exploration (field guides, binoculars, telescope, etc). Not provided: transportation, tents, sleeping bags, pads, day packs; personal gear such as clothing. Tents and sleepginbags may be rented from Outdoor Link with prior arrangement.

Day one:
School arrives mid day. Lunch is provided in camp. Welcome to Joshua Tree talk, 5 minute version: sun, water, bathrooms, sanitation, taking care of self and equipment. Q/A. Camp set up, detailed version: care and feeding of tents; demo and group set up of their tents (which are either rented or provided by OL). Move in. Prepare for afternoon walk to explore the surrounding area: in small groups (1/2 the class per group). Lots of questions from the students, and lots of answers from Outdoor Link! Students help prepare and clean up meals. Evening program: goals/objectives of the week (in small group)

Day two:
Field Study and climbing. One group goes on exploration walk while other learns basics of rock climbing; switch mid day. Evening program: night vision and the night sky

Day three:
Full day of climbing or 1/2 day at Keys Ranch Tour and 1/2 day of climbing.  Evening program: review and reflection on the week.

Day four:
Clean up and break down camp; 1/3 day activity - climbing a nearby high point, exploring the amazing Cave of the Winds, or a nature walk. Head out to be home by late afternoon.

This is a sample course outline. Your program will be designed to meet your specific goals.