Since the 1950s, the Oregon Department of Education has offered Outdoor School, a residential program that takes sixth-graders out of the classroom and into nature, where they explore subjects like plants, animals, soil and water through hands-on learning. 

While the focus is often on the middle school students the program serves, Outdoor School also has a profound impact on the high school volunteers who help lead the program. These volunteers manage a cabin of sixth graders throughout the week along with teaching field study, the outdoor school curriculum that includes day-long sessions of teachings in animals, plants, soil and water. 

According to the Multnomah Education Service District, one of Outdoor Schools’ missions is to “promote self-esteem, leadership and confidence in sixth grade and high school students.”

Ali Kurian, a student leader volunteer and junior, highlights how meaningful the experience can be for both volunteers and students.

“What I find most rewarding is the connections I build with the students,” said Kurian.”You can become really close with the sixth graders, and hearing that you made a difference for them… is rewarding to me.”

Bella Fovinci, a senior and a volunteer, shared the benefits of volunteering for outdoor school.

“[Outdoor School] helped me a lot with working with a team and being able to adapt to new situations,” said Fovinci.

She shared a memorable experience.

“Last fall, I had a sixth grader that was super homesick and she was crying [almost] every night. The first couple nights, it was super hard to get her to go to sleep. But then at the end of the week, she came up to me and she said that she has really missed her parents at home, but that she’ll really miss me too,” said Fovinci.  

In addition to personal growth, volunteering at Outdoor School can enhance a college application.

“Even if you’re not planning on working with kids in the future, [outdoor school] can help you in other fields of work,” said Fovinci. “I just think that it’s a great experience and also something that’s [great for] your resume.”

Kurian noted that the experience allows both students and volunteers to step outside their comfort zones and have new experiences in an engaging environment.

“I think it’s beneficial to sixth graders because they prefer to physically do things while learning. They get to experience the outdoors and not be trapped in a classroom,” said Kurian. 

Kurian encourages anyone thinking about volunteering or attending Outdoor School to do it. 

“To anyone who is considering doing Outdoor School, I would say try it, even if you’re not sure, because you can find a community or home there no matter what,” Kurian said.