Our Shared Story: 

Recent evaluation confirms that Outdoor School…

—promotes essential skills such as critical thinking and teamwork;

—increases students’ motivation and interest in learning

—is good for student health and wellness

—and that students try harder and have better attendance after Outdoor School.

“Outdoor School was a very fun experience, and I did things that I would never have expected to do at school!” –Tavi, Corvallis 5th grader

Demand for Outdoor School remains strong across Oregon:

—The number of students attending Outdoor School continued to increase

—Students attended longer programs

—The percentage of eligible students who attended Outdoor School approached 90%

“Our school really struggles with attendance. We haven’t had attendance issues this week, though! Every student came to Outdoor School.” –Lane County teacher

Creativity and innovation continues to permeate Oregon Outdoor School:

—Angel Outside, a film about a family’s journey through Outdoor School, was released in April

—Across the state, new high school leadership programs were added to Outdoor School

—Educators met from across the state to improve and revamp activities and instruction

“This really captures the essence of ODS - wonderful, heartwarming and so meaningful.” –Donor and “Angel Outside” Viewer

—Hosted three successful conferences for Outdoor School staff to hone their craft

—Provided technical assistance on topics such as insurance and risk management, partnerships, increasing attendance, STEM teaching resources, and more

—Held professional learning communities among Outdoor School leaders and staff, helping them collaborate on high school leadership, educational practices, student safety, equity and inclusion, and more.

“Collaborating with OSU Extension Service Outdoor School on these initiatives helps us expand our reach to make a difference for kids.” –Dan Prince, Friends of Outdoor School

—Briefed new legislators about Outdoor School

—Engaged legislative champions in support of Outdoor School funding

—Activated the community to advocate for full Outdoor School funding

—Generated media coverage of Outdoor School budget cuts

—Supported work nationally to expand Outdoor School for All

“I so deeply appreciate Friends of Outdoor School’s dedication to supporting Outdoor School for all Oregonians.” –Outdoor School advocate

—Ensured that high school leaders, the next generation of Outdoor School champions, were able to participate in advocacy and civic engagement

—Helped OSU Extension Service Outdoor School gather and analyze perspectives from the community about budget cuts

—Hosted community events for Outdoor School champions, alumni, and staff

“I feel super passionate about this and ended up writing to my senators. I'm trying to find any way I can help.” –Outdoor School high school leader

—The Legislature proposed a budget for Outdoor School that was 20% lower than voters directed in Measure 99

—Friends of Outdoor School mobilized the community to demand restoration of Outdoor School funding

—Hundreds of Outdoor School champions (including you!) wrote, emailed, called, and met with legislators from across Oregon

—Outdoor School champions packed three hearing rooms in Salem in support of full Outdoor School funding

—The Legislature passed the budget with the 20% cuts in place

—This means that Oregon has about $12 million less than what is needed to meet the current need

—The OSU Extension Service Outdoor School program (the funding agency for Outdoor School) worked with Friends of Outdoor School, their Advisory Committee, partners, and community members to develop a strategy for funding for the 2025-26 school year

—The effects of these cuts are already being felt across Oregon--shorter experiences, cancellation of programs, staff layoffs, and other reductions

—With your help, Friends of Outdoor School will work to restore Outdoor School to full funding before the next school year

—We will bring legislators to Outdoor School to experience first-hand the power of outdoor learning

—We will reach out to each of you to urge legislators to restore funding

—We will continue to tell the story of Outdoor School across Oregon–a story of an educational program with a nearly 70-year history of success and achievement that is unmatched