Santa Cruz Outdoor Science School

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Santa Cruz Outdoor Science School

• "In the end we will
• conserve only
• what we love
• we will love
• only what we
• understand
• and we will understand
• only what we
• have been taught"
• Baba Dioum

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The Santa Cruz Outdoor Science School is managed
by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education
The program has been operating since 1973-our
current site is leased from Koinonia Conference
Grounds
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KOINONIA (coin-oh-nee-ah) CONFERENCE GROUNDS
The site is located just 20 minutes from the
city of Watsonville
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Koinonia Conference Grounds is located at 1000
ft. in the Southern end of the Santa Cruz
Mountains--amongst a lush redwood forest community
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Mission Statement
The social interdependent and personal
independent growth
The daily scientific inquiry that occurs in the
students field study groups
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Not Your Normal Classroom
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The trail is the classroom no walls or desks!
Redwood, Tan Oak, Madrone and Douglas Fir are the
dominant tree species
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Amphitheater in the Redwoods
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We focus the natural curiosity of the Fifth and
Sixth grade Students, and build on lessons that
began in the classroom
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In 1983 Howard Gardner developed the the Theory
of Multiple Intelligences. He identified 8
different ways in which each child is smart.

• Linguistic/word smart

2. Logical/math smart
3. Kinesthetic/body smart
4. Spatial smart
5. Interpersonal/social smart
6. Intrapersonal/self smart
7. Music smart
8. Naturalist/nature smart
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Themes we study at Outdoor School
Systems Understanding action Cycles Change E
nergy Everything is connected Diversity
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Field Study groups are made up of one boys cabin
and one girls cabin. The groups are led by the
same Naturalist teacher throughout the week
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Naturalists are college graduates trained in
environmental and science education
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Some of the time is spent on direct instruction,
demonstration followed by first hand inquiry.
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Most investigations involve students using real
science tools to participate in authentic inquiry
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Some activities involve non-traditional
approaches for students to explore science
concepts
These students are using sandstone rubbings,
with multiple mineral colors, to explore the
minerals in the rock of the area bedrock, and, to
also participate in a face painting party.
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Shelter Building
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Students have the opportunity to interact with
and build connections with our natural world.
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Journaling is incorporated into the lessons
throughout the week To encourage reflection and
help synthesize concepts.
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A Typical Day at Outdoor Science School

• 115-430 Teacher Led Activities (ropes course
  and team building games)
• 130-430 Afternoon Field Study
• Recess 430-5
• Dinner 530-630
• Classroom meeting 630-645
• 7 PM-Evening Program
• Good Night

• 7 AM Wake Up and shower (4 minute shower)Yes it
  says 4 Minutes
• 8 AM Breakfast
• Morning Field Study
• Noon-Lunch
• 1130 FOB time

to teach water conservation and group goal
setting
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STUDENT CABINS
The cabins are grouped in clusters, some share
walls
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BOYS CABINS 9 students per cabin
Each cabin has its own thermostat controlled
heating full bathroom all rooms are carpeted
and each bunk bed has a mattress (students need
to supply their own sleeping bag or blankets)
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GIRLS CABINS 11students per cabin
Girl's cabins have similar accommodations, except
the rooms are larger. Girls cabins also have
two full bathrooms.
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High School Cabin Leaders help younger students
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Ropes Course
Boys cabins
Teachers cabins
Health Supervisors Office
Girls cabins
Campfire Amphitheatre
Cafeteria
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Map of Field Study Trails
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Teacher Led Activity Trust Communication and
Cooperation or TCC
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ROPES COURSE
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A little bit of supervised, unstructured time
each day
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Students meet outside the dining hall every day
for an afternoon snack
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Each cabin group will have the opportunity to set
up and help serve the meals
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This table contributes very little Garbology!
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TWO STUDENTS MEASURE FOOD WASTE, COMPLETE THE
BAR GRAPH AND PRESENT THE RESULTS TO EVERYONE IN
THE DINING HALL.
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Night Hike
A night hike is more activity based and less
hiking, the goal of the night hike is to
Build nighttime courage
Learn about nighttime creatures
Learn about human senses other than sight
Learn about astronomy and constellations
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Campfire Presentation
Songs and skits hosted by some wacky staff members
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Student Care

• For every 30 students there is one Teacher (as
  leader of the field trip) who is onsite 24/7.
• For every 22 students there is one Naturalist
  (for field study)
• For every 10 students there is one Cabin Leader
• The Director or Program Assistant is on-site full
  time
• A Health Supervisor (first aid medications) is
  on-site full time
• Koinonia staff live on-site and take care of
  facilities, cooking and maintenance
• All adults have had a criminal background check
  and required immunizations (just like a school
  site)

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Homesickness

• Many students experience different levels of
  homesickness
• Teachers, cabin leaders, and OSS staff work with
  homesick students
• Students are encouraged to talk about it
• Most students are able to get through it with a
  little help and extra T.L.C.

• In severe cases parents will be contacted
• We will work out a plan
• The goal is for the student to grow successfully
  with the experience and be proud of themselves
  for such an accomplishment!

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Discipline

• Students are expected to follow school rules.
• We encourage the students to use the three Rs
  Respect, Responsibility and Reliability. They
  will learn the safety and respect rules for OSS
  on the first day.
• We work directly with students to help them
  understand their behavior and support them in
  processing the situation and making positive
  changes.

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Consequences

• Verbal warnings happen on trail and in the cabins
  - reminders to help the students understand their
  boundaries.
• If a student continues to misbehave
• Written warning
• 1st infraction contract
• 2nd infraction phone call home principal
  notified
• 3rd infraction phone call home parents come
  to pick up their child

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Health Care

• The health supervisor (HS) is on call 24hrs/day.
• The HS will talk to all of the students on the
  1st day and explain procedures.
• The HS keeps track of and administers medicines.

• If a student does not feel well, s/he will visit
  the HS.
• If the illness is significant or unusual, the HS
  will contact a parent.
• Parent, Director and HS will make the next step
  decision.

Please fill out the Parental Permission and
Health Authorization Form thoroughly
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CLOTHING LIST FOR OUTDOOR SCHOOL Bedding _______
Sleeping Bag and/or 2 or 3 warm blankets _______
Pillow (optional) Toiletries _______ 2 bath
towels and wash cloth _______ Toothbrush and
toothpaste _______ Comb and/or brush _______ Soap
and soap box (bar or body wash) _______
Shampoo _______ Lip Balm (Chapstick) _______
Kleenex _______ Sunscreen _______ Insect
repellent (non-aerosol) Equipment _______
Laundry bag (large plastic bag works
fine) _______ Camera and Film Disposable
Camera's are encouraged however, please mark w/
your child's name _______ Day Pack _______ Water
Bottle (essential) _______ Paper, Pen/Pencil,
Stamps w/pre-addressed envelope _______ Small
notebook for notes or journal. Clothing _______
Underwear- 4 changes _______ Socks - 8
pairs _______ Pajamas (only to be worn in the
cabin) _______ Jeans or Durable long pants 2-4
pairs _______ Shirts - Long and short sleeve 4
total _______ Heavy sweater or sweatshirt _______
Warm jacket and hat _______ Swimsuit (Sept.-Oct.
April-May) _______ Shoes - 2 pairs (closed
toed), suitable for hiking (please do not buy
special shoes/boots) _______ Gloves _______ Hat
(warm cap for cold weather) _______ Flip Flops
(for showers) Rain Gear (Essential) _______
Raincoat or poncho The weather is often
unpredictable rain gear may be needed all times
of the year! Please DO NOT bring the following
items Hair Dryers Candy Fishing gear Curling
Irons Gum Pocket knives Hair Spray (gel is
ok) Money Electronic Games Radios Food Aeroso
ls Any items requiring electricity or battery
(Exceptions camera, watch and flashlight) TO
AVOID LOSS OF CLOTHING/ARTICLES, PLEASE LABEL ALL
ITEM Dress Code No gang attire No chains
hanging from the pants No spaghetti strap tops
or other revealing type clothing No top that
reveals the midriff area (tummy) Hats with brims
must be worn facing forward
What should students bring?
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The talking stick ceremony is the final activity
of Science school. Students sum up their week by
answering Questions about their experience.
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Students gain a greater sense of self
and make new friends
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THANK YOU FOR COMING!
http//osp.santacruz.k12.ca.us