(Outdoor) School’s Out for Summer: Highlights from our Spring Session in Portage Valley
By Sarah Schuh
It’s hard to believe, but this spring marked the third session of Outdoor School in Portage, and the first session with schools returning to participate for a second year. It has long been a goal for Outdoor School to become “tradition,” a rite of passage for fifth graders here in Southcentral Alaska, and all involved in the program are delighted to see that come to fruition.
For those new to outdoor schools, they are multi-day, overnight programs that take place on public lands across the United States. At Alaska Outdoor School, we provide transformational outdoor education that cultivates lifelong stewardship of Alaska’s public lands and natural resources. Over the course of our two-night, three-day program, participating students learn from educators, scientists, and other public lands professionals about glaciers, water, forests, local history, and more, with Portage Valley as their classroom.
Let’s look back at some of our favorite Outdoor School moments from this spring!
We kicked things off with Chinook Elementary, and these hearty kids were treated to some classic Portage weather during their week at Outdoor School: fierce easterly winds funneling through the mountains from Prince William Sound.
Not everyone can manage to smile and laugh in the face of such inclement weather, but this group made the best of it and earned their name as Wind Warriors.
After the end of the “school day”, students and teachers have several hours each afternoon and evening for free time and extracurricular activities. Each school puts their own special twist on Outdoor School: some love playing field games, others sing, or tell scary stories. Northwood students and staff will forever be known for their post-campfire talent show. After a beautiful evening roasting smores alongside Portage Creek, students and staff rehearsed for a show unlike any we’ve seen at Outdoor School: dramatic movie reenactments, dance numbers, and comedy sketches, all before a panel of student judges. Their theatrical spectacular may never be matched!
Across the many beloved elements of Outdoor School, in our final two weeks, one game emerged to rule them all. Students enjoyed it so much that upon returning to school, their teachers gathered the necessary materials so they could continue to play! What had them so captivated? The classic balance and strategy game of Hunker Down. Students stand across from one another, each on a block of wood. Between them is a length of rope, each student holding one end. The goal: cause your opponent to step off their block or drop the rope. For Tyson and Seward Elementary school students, Hunker Down was a source of endless laughter and friendly competition, memories that we know will stick with them for many years to come.
After Outdoor School ends, we visit students in their classrooms for a post-visit and give them a short survey. One of the questions we ask is “What will you do differently as a result of Outdoor School?” To wrap up this letter, I’d like to share the impact and importance of this program in the student’s own words:
“I will wipe my shoes for invasive species and be more curious”
“I like wind so on windy days I will go outside, spin around, and play”
“I will start to observe the environment more”
“Go outside more, take a walk in the woods (with a group of course), and play in the rain”
“Pick up trash more and move my body more”
“Be a ‘geographist’ and learn about rocks”
“Have less time on my phone and enjoy nature outside”
“Spend more time outside with friends”
I couldn’t have said it better myself, and I can’t wait for another session of Outdoor School this fall 😊🍂
Let’s look back at some of our favorite Outdoor School moments from this spring!