Outdoor Education Programs

Central Oregon and its amazing array of beautiful rivers, bountiful snowpack, diverse vegetation, and fascinating geology gives teachers and students unlimited opportunities for using the natural world as an outdoor classroom.  Together our network of partners offer over 30 different outdoor education programs that connect students to nature, engage students in science practices, and deliver content knowledge about local natural resources issues.

Use the filters below to find outdoor programs for your grade level and budget.  Information has been updated for the 2022-2023 school year.  Coming Soon – Updated PDFs with program lists for all K-12th grade programs.  Stay tuned!

Environmental Education Program Providers

Camp Tamarack

Discover Your Forest

High Desert Museum

Middle Deschutes Watershed Council

The Environmental Center

Upper Deschutes Watershed Council

Sunriver Nature Center

Trout Unlimited

NatureHoods Education Program

The Children’s Forest of Central Oregon offers the NatureHoods Education program for K-2 classes in Central Oregon.  The free program is offered as four 1-hour lessons in the schoolyard or nearby park.  The lessons align with Next Generation Science Standards and reinforce science learning done in the classroom. Title I schools are given priority for the NatureHoods Education Program.

To Learn more about NatureHoods and how to schedule a program at your school click here.

Virtual Learning

The Children’s Forest partners developed a wide array of virtual learning resources to support learning during the pandemic.  These resources continue to be available as a way to supplement your classroom activities.  Learn about resources.

Curriculum and Other Resources

Ready to facilitate outdoor learning with your students?  Find both local and national curriculum resources covering a wide range of topics here.

Inclusiveness

The Children’s Forest of Central Oregon believes that accessible opportunities with nature must be provided for children and youth of all abilities, backgrounds, and ages. The Children’s Forest welcomes students and participants of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or marital status, age, sensory, physical or mental disability to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students and participants of our programs.