Each site has a staff team of at least 15 trained outdoor educators.

Each team includes:

• a site supervisor
• a nurse
• an equity and inclusion advocate
• a program facilitator
• a field instructor facilitator
• several program leaders 
• several field instructors

Students attend with staff from their school for additional supervision, and we recruit and train student leaders who volunteer to lead cabins.

We use a "buddy" system at outdoor school. That means students are never alone. We follow a "rule of three," which ensures any time students are with an adult or student leader, there are at least two students present - students are never one-on-one with any adult or student leader. We also do head counts regularly to ensure everyone is present and accounted for.

Our program is designed to be fully immersive and serve students overnight for four days and three nights. However, we understand there are circumstances that make full participation difficult for some students and families (i.e. medical, physical and/or religious reasons). Student(s) who would benefit from day-only attendance, should communicate with your school teacher and coordinate pick-up and drop-off arrangements with the designated site supervisor. 

Every outdoor school site has a licensed nurse to respond to illnesses and injuries. Nurses are on-site the entire time students are at outdoor school. Also, every outdoor school staff member is certified in first aid and CPR. In the unlikely event that your child becomes ill or gets hurts, the nurse will contact parents/guardians as soon as possible.

Yes. Our program requires every staff member to be certified in first aid and CPR. In addition, most staff members are trained to respond to severe allergic reactions.

MEDICATION: All medications must be turned into the classroom teacher before leaving for outdoor school. All medications must be in the original container and placed in a Ziploc bag with the students name on the outside. Do not mix medications; each type of medication should be packaged separately. Your pharmacist will provide small, labeled containers if requested. Prescription medication must have the pharmacist’s label as it contains the physician’s order to dispense the medication. Non-prescription over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by written instructions from the parent. Only send the amount of medication needed for the time your student is at Outdoor School. The Outdoor school medical staff will dispense all medications that are prescribed by a doctor without any interference. DO NOT pack any medications in your student’s luggage. All medications and containers will be returned to the classroom teacher at the end of the week. If your student uses an inhaler or EPI pen please include that with your medicaions.

VITAMINS/SUPPLEMENTS: All vitamins/ supplements require a note from the student’s health care provider in order to give. (See OAR 581-021-0037). The note needs to include the name of the student, name of the vitamin/supplement, dose, time, purpose, signature from health care provider and date. (Examples of vitamins/supplements: melatonin, lactaid, probiotics, daily vitamins, herbs, homeopathic supplements, enzymes). Please include the health care provider note with the Permission and Student Health History Form, if sending separately include the name of the school and the site your student is attending. Outdoor school medical staff will not dispense any vitamins/supplements that do not meet the above requirement.

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS: The outdoor school consulting physician has issued orders permitting the dispensing of common over-the-counter medications. These medications will be dispensed, as needed, to the student in accordance with the physician’s standing orders. Brand names have been listed but their generic equivalent (the same medication of a different brand) may be substituted. Some of the medications that are supplied on site are found on the Permission and Student Health History Form.

RELIGIOUS OR PERSONAL OBJECTION: If you have a religious/ personal objection to medical treatment please check the appropriate boxes on the Permission and Student Health History Form. Additionally please include any medications your student cannot take for religious reasons on the Religious/Cultural Observance form. You understand and consent that in the event of a life-threatening situation, your student or ward, regardless of religious or personal convictions, will be administered life-sustaining first aid and medical care.

Yes. Be sure to share any concerns about your child's participation at outdoor school with your child's teacher. Outdoor school supplies your child's teacher with forms that help us understand your child's dietary, medical and/or special needs.  Additionally, families can complete the Religious/ Cultural Observance and Other Accommodations Form which provide us with more information about your student. These forms are delivered to the outdoor school office at least two weeks before your child attends outdoor school.

The information will be shared with the site supervisor, the nurse, and the head cook at your child's camp before they arrive. Sometimes, we will call parents to clarify any concerns relating to dietary, medical and/or special needs.

We can accommodate a variety dietary needs with advance notice. In addition to regular meals, we also provide snacks and desserts. See our Sample Menus.

Please call our administrative support team at 503-614-1402 or email them at ODSOfficeAdmin@nwresd.k12.or.us with questions.

A little homesickness is very common at outdoor school. Our staff and teachers work to keep children active and engaged in the activities at outdoor school. Most homesickness fades away after the first night. To help prepare your child for success before their departure, encourage them to have a good time. Be sure to emphasize that you want them to enjoy outdoor school, build memories while they are there and return home with stories to tell them.

For many students, this trip is their first extended period away from home. Reassuring your child about the fun you want them to have decreases the likelihood of homesickness.

Student leaders are typically high schoolers in grades 10-12 who sign up at one of our recruitment events. Eligible students show an aptitude for leadership and demonstrate responsibility, enthusiasm and leadership skills and participation must be approved by their teachers, guidance counselors, and their parents. 

Student leaders must participate in two training events:

• In-town training - 2.5 hours
• On-site training - 8.5 hours

 Our trainings provide (at minimum):

• program overview
• site tours and daily schedules
• leadership skills
• student management strategies
• curriculum guidance
• campfire roles, skits and songs
• what to do in an emergency
• so much more!

Student leaders work under close supervision of outdoor school staff and classroom teachers. We encourage Student Leaders to volunteer frequently. Occasionally, student leaders are college students, all of whom must pass a background check and be fingerprinted.

Cabins: Cabins are considered semi-private spaces that are for the students and staff who reside there. Students are not permitted inside cabins that are not their own. Furthermore, each cabin works together to set their own agreements around behavior and boundaries. Student leaders are trained to alert staff to any situations where students are not meeting behavior expectations, and Northwest Outdoor Science School staff are consistently in the cabin area to monitor and ensure that all students and student leaders are safe.

Every student’s bed is a one-person space and all cabins have designated private changing areas. 

Staff and student leaders are trained on privacy measures including:

• explaining that privacy measures are for all students, not just some students with “exceptional requirements”
• establishing important privacy expectations in the cabin such as staying off each other’s beds and out of others’ belongings 
• setting rules about respecting privacy including obtaining consent prior to giving hugs, high-fives, or other forms of touch 
• speaking to students who may need extra support away from the larger group

Showers & Bathrooms: Every site has private showers and bathroom stalls. Students are encouraged to change in one of these private, single-occupancy areas. There are also designated gender-neutral bathrooms at every site for students and staff to use. There are also gendered bathrooms at most sites, which can be used by students and staff who self-identify with that gender.

Learn more about NOSS Safety Measures

Yes. All cabins at outdoor school are weatherized and heated. Students sleep on bunk beds with mattresses. Bathrooms are either in the cabin or in a nearby building and are furnished with private flush toilets, sinks and showers with hot water.

The weather at outdoor school sites is quite variable. We operate sites in Vernonia, Salem, Welches, Rockaway Beach and Cloverdale.

Students should come prepared for any kind of weather. While you can check the weather at our varied sites before hand, remember that Oregon weather changes frequently and we suggest being prepared for varied weather patterns. We are frequently under the cover of trees which can be cooler than expected. Students need to bring layers, warm clothing and raingear with them. Every outdoor school site has rain ponchos and warm coats that children can borrow if needed.

The daily schedule includes activities that occur outside in a wide array of weather conditions and students will get wet. When the weather is especially adverse, we use rain shelters and dry rooms. Students sleep in winterized, heated cabins. 

Student safety informs all NOSS policies, processes, and procedures. This is a summary of our minimum requirements:

Staff Mandatory Requirements

Every Staff member must be fingerprinted and clear:

• Criminal Background Check 

• Sexual Misconduct Verification System Check

Every Staff member is considered a mandatory reporter and must complete the following mandatory yearly trainings:

• Abuse, Sexual Conduct and Appropriate Communications in Oregon

• Recognizing and Responding to Child Neglect and Abuse in Oregon

• Suicide Prevention / Youth Suicide Awareness

• Media Literacy and Digital Safety for Students & Staff 

• Cultural Sensitivity in the Workplace

• Preventing Bias Incidents and Hate Crimes in Schools

• Bloodborne Pathogens for School Employees

• Fire Safety and Fire-Extinguisher Use

Additionally, all staff members are required to:

• Hold a current CPR and First Aide Training Certification

• Understand site-specific emergency procedures

Privacy and General On-SIte Safety 

• All Staff and Student Leaders adhere to the “rule of three” which means that no student is ever alone with a staff member or student leader.

• All cabins have designated private changing areas

• All sites have private bathroom stalls

• All sites have private shower stalls

• There are designated gender-neutral bathrooms at every site for students and staff to use

• Privacy expectations are set for all students: 

  • Cabins are considered semi-private spaces that are for the students and staff who reside there. Students are not permitted inside cabins that are not their own.

  • All student beds are single occupancy, only the assigned student is allowed to be on that bed.

  • Students must obtain consent prior to giving hugs, high-fives, or other forms of touch 

• Student leaders are trained to alert staff to any situations where students are not meeting behavior expectations, and Northwest Outdoor Science School staff are consistently in the cabin area to monitor and ensure that all students and student leaders are safe.

• Student Leaders receive a full day of on-site training to review our expectations, protocols, and who to contact in a variety of situations,

Medical & Dietary Safety

• Every site has a Nurse on site who follows NOSS’ consulting doctor’s Standing Orders (we follow direct student doctor's orders for diabetic patients and patients with complex medical needs).

• Nurses can dispense medications (with prior authorization on the Student Health History Form).

• Nurses help to monitor diabetic students and students with other complex medical needs or concerns

• Nurses will assess and treat illness and injuries (when appropriate)  and alert parents when needed. 

• Students who become too sick for school will stay in the nurse’s office until a caregiver can arrive to pick them up.

• All staff are required to hold a current CPR and First Aid Training Certification

• We review all dietary restrictions and make accommodations as needed.

View Printable NOSS Safety Measures Document

We recommend you pack the following items for your child to bring to outdoor school. Please bring older clothing and equipment that you already have around your home. Be sure to pack enough clothes for your child to layer and to change if they get wet. Choosing fleece (or another warm, quick-dry fabric) is better than cotton, which takes much longer to dry once wet. If your student does not own or cannot borrow these items, each site has a gear lending library, so there is no need to buy new items.

Please pack your gear in a suitcase or duffel bag. Do not bring a large backpack with an external frame. We recommend you mark your first & last name on ALL of your items with a permanent marker. Please leave all valuable items at home.

Download a printable, PDF version of this packing list in English & Spanish. Other languages of the packing list are available on the Additional Languages Parent/Guardian Forms & Letters section.

Clothing

• Shirts (2 or 3)
• Jeans or heavy pants (3-4 pairs)
• Warm jacket
• Warm hat
• Sweatshirt (fleece is best)
• Underwear (3-4 pairs)
• Socks (4-6 pairs)
• Pajamas
• Extra pair of shoes
• Thermal underwear/Long Johns
• Gloves
• Waterproof raincoat
• Waterproof boots
• Waterproof hat/hood 

Sleeping gear

• Warm sleeping bag and pillow
• Extra blanket if sleeping bag is light
• Two extra large garbage bags (for packing)

Toiletries

• Bath towel
• Wash cloth and hand towel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Soap (in a container)
• Comb/brush
• Sunscreen (pack in a bag to prevent leaks) 

Other important gear

• Flashlight
• Water bottle with a tight cap
• Small daypack
• Gallon Ziploc bags
• Pencils (at least two with sharp tips and erasers)

Optional

• Camera
• Reading book/journal (for quiet cabin time)
• Letter-writing materials (paper, envelopes, postcards, pencils and stamps)
• Shorts (may only be worn at times approved by staff)
• Flip flops/water sandals (for showering)

Medication

• All medication(s) must be handed to the teacher in the original over-the-counter or prescription packaging. 

Please do not bring

• Improperly labeled medications
• Money
• Electronic items (mp3/iPods, smartphones or video games)
• Hair dryers
• Make-up
• Hair spray
• Perfume or body spray
• Matches or lighters
• Knives
• Food, candy or gum
• Bathing suits, tank tops or halter tops

Please call our office at 503-614-1402 if your child loses something at outdoor school.

Northwest Outdoor Science School provides an Outdoor School experience for 10,000 students across 20+ school districts and nearly 100 schools across in Oregon. Planning for each school year begins the prior spring when schools and districts submit their scheduling preference forms to our team.

Because our locations are privately owned, we are not able to mange mail delivered by any type of carrier. If you would like to send letters to your child, we recommend sending letters with your student when they attend outdoor school. Often times parents will mark it as "Read Later" or "Read on Day 2."

Do not send care packages, food or candy. Please be cautious of your word choice in your letters. Sharing your feelings of sadness at their absence can spur homesickness in your child. Instead, focus on how much you are looking forward to hearing about their week when they get home.

Northwest Outdoor Science School is an NWRESD program and one of many outdoor school providers in the state. Outdoor school is free in Oregon for students enrolled in a public or charter school. 

On Nov. 8, 2016, Oregon voters passed Ballot Measure 99, authorizing funds from the state lottery to provide all fifth- or sixth-grade students in Oregon access to a week of outdoor school. Measure 99 provides the funding for the outdoor school law, which was passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2015.

Student transportation is arranged by your childs school. Your child's teacher will have specific instructions for bus departure.

Your child will learn in the outdoors while participating in hands-on, interactive and experiential activities that are taught mostly in small groups. Our inquiry based field study activities are designed to teach them about nature while actually being in nature, which promotes a curiosity about, and appreciation for, the natural world.

Your child will be exposed to careers in science and natural resource management and participate in scientific research through data collection and analysis.

They will also build community at outdoor school through participation in meal times, campfire programs and activities with their cabin groups such as duties, games, team-builders, skits and songs. 

Take a look at our Daily Schedules at Sites