The Outdoor School 2680 Highway 154 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Phone 805.686.5167 Fax 805.6865175 Email [email protected] teaching respect, inspiring wonder
Dear Teachers, Principals, Parents and Service Organizations:
Since its inception in 1957, The Outdoor School at Rancho Alegre has provided award-winning
education that enriches students’ lives, helps build self-confidence, and reinforces a standards-based
curriculum with hands-on learning in nature. The Outdoor School is a living program steeped in
tradition while constantly changing with current times, such as, Common core standards and
Next Generation science standards. Our four-day, three-night residential experience serves
over 70 schools and 4000 students per season. These components combine to create an overall
experience that is educational, inspirational and unforgettable.
We excel in this experiential learning by providing five curriculum hikes (Botany, Zoology, Geology,
Chumash history, and Night Hike (Astronomy/Nocturnal Adaptations) plus three Special Activity
electives periods in which students can choose based in their interests. Trail discussions, night one
event teams, Quiz bowl and story reading; help fulfill the Speaking and Listening requirements in
the Common core language section, new to 2014.
The Outdoor School is more than a means of filling school academic requirements. It is a life
changing trip where a student may hike nine miles to a mountain top overlook of Santa Barbara with
the Channel Islands and the Santa Ynez Valley (Elective Event), meet people from other
neighborhoods and towns, sing songs, play, and be responsible for themselves. It can be a rites of
passage experience lacking in our current society. But don’t just take our word for it.
“The students gain a sense of accomplishment. The idea that they can do anything they set their
minds to is instilled in them. Many students have accomplished things they were afraid of doing. I
watched their confidence increase.”
Barbara Barr- Roosevelt School
“They have become more patient with themselves and one another. They have learned to rely on
themselves.”
Phelps- Roosevelt School
“The Staff here obviously loves what they are doing and are very well trained. The kids have a great
time and I feel have a great appreciation for their local environment.”
Senzamici- Roosevelt School
“Students gain confidence and appreciation for the outdoors, nature and the fact that it’s just around
the corner from their homes. They feel liberated and are able to discover qualities about themselves
they never new. Overall the students seem very attentive and engaged in their learning.”
Mrs. Rey- Franklin School
“Only after one day, kids that hate participating are shinning stars.”
Ashley Clausen- Adams School
“Major behavior problems at home, not (an issue) at Outdoor school.”
Jennifer Lindsay- Harding School
“The students learn an incredible amount of valuable information about their local environment.
They come to understand the importance of protecting this environment because everything is
connected.
Kaye Cantu- McKinley School
“The kids arrive self-centered but they leave feeling a part of a community locally and globally.”
Liz Dumpis- Santa Barbara Community Academy
As I am sure you are aware, there is renewed interest in ensuring that California’s youth receive
quality environmental education that increases their exposure to the outdoors while using nature as
an integrating context for standards-based learning. Richard Louv’s groundbreaking book Last
Child in the Woods links the lack of outdoor experiences to alarming trends like rising rates of
obesity, attention deficit disorder and depression in young children. The Federal Government, the
California State Board of Education and independent research all agree that not only are these types
of experiences pedagogically important, but also can improve tests scores and help children develop
critical thinking and problem solving skills. In addition to the Next Generation science/ Common
core standards we have always covered in our five curriculum hikes, our programming also addresses
new standards associated with the Education and the Environment Initiative.
Five Curriculum Hikes:
Botany hike: MS-LS1-1 Molecules to Organisms, Living things are made of cells,
distinguish between living and non-living things. MS-LS1-5 Show that genetic and environmental factors
influence organism growth. LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms. LS3.A & B Traits (Inheritance &
Variation) ESS2.C The Roles of Water. MS-ESS2-4 Water Cycle (Gravity & Sun). PS3.B Energy
Conservation & Transfer.
Zoology Hike: MS-LS1-3 Demonstrate how the body is a system of interacting subsystems made up of cell
groups. MS-LS1-4 Show that characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the probability
of reproduction. MS-LS1-5 Show that genetic and environmental factors influence organism growth. LS1.B
Growth and Development of Organisms. LS3.A & B Traits (Inheritance & Variation). MS-PS3-5 When kinetic
energy changes there is a resultant energy transfer. PS3.B Energy Conservation & Transfer.
Geology Hike: MS-LS1-1 Molecules to Organisms, Living things are made of cells, distinguish between
living and non-living things. ESS2.C The Roles of Water. MS-ESS2-4 Water Cycle (Gravity & Sun). MSESS2-6 Earth’s Rotation, Heating, Oceans & Climate. PS3.B Energy Conservation & Transfer.
Chumash Hike: LS3.A & B Traits (Inheritance & Variation). MS-ESS3 Earth & Human Activity.
Night hike: MS-LS1-8 Understand that sensory receptors respond to stimuli and send messages to the brain
triggering behavior or for storage. MS-ESS1-1 Model Earth and Moon. MS-ESS2-6 Earth’s Rotation, Heating,
Oceans & Climate.
Special Activities:
9 Mile Ridge Hike: Epic Journey
Animal Tracking: MS-LS1-4 Show that characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect
the probability of reproduction. LS3.A & B Traits (Inheritance & Variation)
Winged Walkers (Birding): LS3.A & B Traits (Inheritance & Variation)
Earth Art: MS-ESS3 Earth & Human Activity
Reptile Roundup: MS-LS1-1 Molecules to Organisms, Living things are made of cells, distinguish between
living and non-living things. MS-LS1-5 Show that genetic and environmental factors influence organism growth.
LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms. LS3.A & B Traits (Inheritance & Variation)
Rock Hopping to Lake Cachuma: ESS2.C The Roles of Water. MS-ESS2-4 Water Cycle (Gravity & Sun)
Owl Pellet/Squid Dissection: LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
Tall Tales & Theatre Trails (Improv): Teambuilding
Messy Relays: Teambuilding
Press Club: LS1.D Information Processing
Fossil Hunting: MS-LS1-1 Molecules to Organisms, Living things are made of cells; distinguish between living
and non-living things
The Catch: MS-LS1-4 Show that characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures affect the
probability of reproduction. MS-LS1-5 Show that genetic and environmental factors influence organism growth.
LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms. LS3.A & B Traits (Inheritance & Variation)
Trash Olympics: MS-ESS3 Earth & Human Activity
Archery : Fun
Boating: ESS2.C The Roles of Water. MS-ESS2-4 Water Cycle (Gravity & Sun)
Waterfall Hike: ESS2.C The Roles of Water. MS-ESS2-4 Water Cycle (Gravity & Sun)
Advanced Night Hike: MS-ESS1-1 Model Earth and Moon
Lost Redwood: LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms
Survival Hike: MS-ESS3 Earth & Human Activity
Mad Scientist: MS-PS3-5 When kinetic energy changes there is a resultant energy transfer
World Of Water (“W.O.W!”): ESS2.C The Roles of Water. MS-ESS2-4 Water Cycle (Gravity & Sun)
Primitive Living Skills: MS-ESS3 Earth & Human Activity
Mud Hike (when 9 Mile can’t go) ESS2.C The Roles of Water. MS-ESS2-4 Water Cycle (Gravity & Sun)
Hot Air Balloons: MS-ESS2-5 Air Masses & Weather. MS-PS3-5 When kinetic energy changes
there is a resultant energy transfer
Mission Impossible: Teambuilding
Talking Sticks: MS-ESS3 Earth & Human Activity
Journals: LS1.D Information Processing
Sincerely,
Jay Bishop
Education Director
805.686.5167 / Cell: 805.705.7582
[email protected]