BRANCH OUTdoor School was piloted in Spring 2007 through a grant from Hood River County Title III and support from the Northwest Service Academy and Wells Fargo.  Five Hood River 5th-grade classes from May Street and Westside Elementary Schools attended the 2 ½ day outdoor adventure as a culmination of their participation in the SECRETS of the Forest Home classroom program.

Future of Outdoor School in the Gorge:
We are currently partnering with local teachers to collaborate on delivering more effective outdoor school programs and allow more students participation Outdoor School.  With local and foundation funding support we plan to host outdoor school programs for all Gorge kids at the Snowden Wetlands facility.

Juliana Cuyler volunteered at our 2007 outdoor school and wrote us: 
“The students enjoyed every minute!  The AmeriCorps staff was amazing, so kid oriented, thorough and attentive.  I feel that our students were so lucky, learned and experienced much more than they could have through a regular classroom day and will really retain their knowledge to become better environmental stewards.”

Independent Study Program
Students with a personal interest in developing an in-depth understanding of local ecosystems or teaching skills are welcome to attend the Volunteer Training Series and serve as instructors in the elementary classrooms. Special arrangement with the high-school administration and parental permission is required.