Outdoor School Funding Update
November 10, 2025
Recently we received information that could lead to further cuts for Outdoor School for this current school year and the following year. The Legislative Fiscal Office and the Governor have requested information from all state agencies about how an across-the-board 5% budget cut would affect programs.
The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is responsible for all university funding, including Outdoor School funding. HECC drafted a proposal to Oregon State University that would further reduce Outdoor School by 12.78%.
Last week Outdoor School champions testified against these cuts at the HECC meeting. Executive Director Ben Cannon has now noted that they are no longer singling out Outdoor School for a 12.78% cut!
Well done, everyone!!
We are not safe yet. The HECC budget exercise still includes a cut to OSU Extension Service, and Outdoor School funds are not protected. A 5% cut represents nearly another $2.5 million for the biennium.
Given the previous drastic 20% cut, Outdoor School should be spared from further cuts. In fact, we will be requesting an additional $6 million allocation for Outdoor School to restore funding for the 2026-27 school year.
Our call to action: Consider joining our Advocacy Network! Send us an email and we will send you updates on our advocacy and ways to participate through letter-writing, attending hearings, or other activities.
Share your Outdoor School Story!
We are partnering with Oregon State University Extension Service Outdoor School to collect stories from Outdoor School champions like you. Your story will help us educate decision-makers about the benefits of Outdoor School and what funding cuts mean to students and families.
ACTION: Please share your story of Outdoor School, including explaining how Outdoor School funding cuts are affecting you, your family, and your community.
Oregon camps are vital to providing inspiring natural locations for tens of thousands of Oregon students to attend Outdoor School. Friends of Outdoor School and camps throughout Oregon are working together to communicate the impacts of state Outdoor School budget cuts on camps.
ACTION: Please complete this form to share how Outdoor School funding cuts are impacting your ability to participate in your favorite camp.
FACTS:
In 2016, Oregon voters overwhelmingly dedicated 4% of Lottery funds via Measure 99 to work toward sending every Oregon student to a week of Outdoor School.
Over $51.5 million was provided to school districts during the 2023-2025 biennium to support student attendance at Outdoor School.
OSU Extension worked with the Legislature in 2024 to spend down the COVID-era carryover for programming, freeing 2023-2025 allocated resources for urgent state needs while achieving voter-intended funding levels.
Providing only $43.2 million to school districts for the 2025-2027 biennium is a cut to Outdoor School funding, and 20% below what voters approved.
Increasingly, Oregon students are attending Outdoor School, and requests for funding from 2025 to 2027 are expected to surpass the 4% allocation intended by voters.
Find more detailed information here: https://oregonstate.app.box.com/s/ekxkchq8qpa8q108vy92fcqdodynpjjd
This cut is already having a very real impact on Oregon students and the many adults working together to make Outdoor School happen for the kids. Together, with respectful yet assertive facts, we can correct this mistake. Thank you for helping to make Outdoor School possible for the kids!
For the kids!,
Kim & Dan
KEY INFORMATION:
Oregon State University Extension Service Outdoor School:
Important financial and impact information directly from Oregon State University Extension Service Outdoor School can be found here and will be updated regularly.
What’s happened so far:
November 6th: Dozens of Outdoor School champions advocated for no further cuts to Outdoor School at the Higher Education Coordinating Commission meeting. Watch here.
September 10th: Fall State of Outdoor School webinar. Listen here.
July 24th: Oregon State University Extension Service Outdoor School announced funding decisions to date and explained next steps. Details are here.
June 23rd: The Oregon Legislature approved a 20% cut to Outdoor School funding despite voters overwhelmingly supporting Measure 99 designating 4% of state lottery funds to Outdoor School.
June 16th: The Senate approved a bill including a $12 million cut to Outdoor School funding from current service levels.
June 6th: The Oregon Joint Committee on Ways and Means voted to pass a budget that cuts Outdoor School funding by $12 million. Watch for yourself- the work session on SB 5525 begins at 1:22.
June 2nd: The Oregon Joint Committee on Ways and Means subcommittee on Education passed a budget that cuts Outdoor School funding by $12 million. Watch for yourself.
Key points:
The state is in a very difficult budget environment
Oregon voters overwhelmingly passed Ballot Measure 99 in 2016
Outdoor School is important for Oregon kids!
We seek to restore the funding that was cut in July
Our Strategy:
October tours of Outdoor School for legislators
Briefings with key legislators this fall and early winter
February 2026 legislative session: request funding restoration for 2026-27
Share stories and data about the impact of the reduced budget for students, schools/districts, and Outdoor School sites and providers
Targeted advocacy in the coming months
Training in January for advocates
Email dan@friendsofoutdoorschool.org if you are interested