Sixth grade students attended the annual outdoor school event organized by the South Santiam Watershed Council and the Sweet Home School District that began May 29.
Outdoor School was hosted at Camp Tadmor, located near McDowell Creek Falls. This annual event, for Sweet Home, usually takes place the week after Memorial Day. This event, an Oregon tradition, originally started in 1957. As defined by friendsofoutdoorschool.org, Outdoor School gets kids unplugged and positively engaged, and also helps develop critical thinking.
For Sweet Home, Outdoor School is a two and a half day event. This year, the event was held from May 29 to May 31. The event relies on the support of volunteers who come out to help teach sixth grade students.
Students are divided into nine learning groups led by Sweet Home High School sophomores and juniors. These high school students attend several training sessions prior to the event, with the priority of focusing on ways to enhance the outdoor experience while developing their own leadership skills.
Outdoor school features a complete packed schedule. Along with a mix of learning activities, team building exercises, recreational activities and mealtimes, students are sure to stay busy during the school.
This year, according to a press release, learning stations were led by US Forest Service, Northwest Steelheaders, MidValley STEM, CTE Hub, Wapiti Bowmen, Cascade Timber Consulting and the South Santiam Watershed Council. Activities included exploratory walks examining tree stands, building suncatchers, creating flowers for pollinators, fishing for rainbow trout, using a bow and arrow, identifying animal pelts, and surveying for artifacts.
The final day of the camp included presentations from community organizations such as Brad’s World Reptiles, showcasing a variety of animals from birds to snakes and even a giant tortoise. Another presentation was from Sweet Home Fire District which provided a lesson on wildfire preparedness ending with students getting sprayed by a brush rig hose.
As summarized by the press release, Sweet Home Outdoor School is more than an educational event; it is a cornerstone experience for Oregon students that fosters personal growth, leadership and a deeper connection to nature. Through the combined efforts of dedicated volunteers, high school leaders and community organizations, this program continues to leave a lasting impact on all participants.
