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Outdoor School

Outdoor School

Residential (Overnight) Outdoor School:

Spring and Fall, Grades 5 & 6 – State Funded

Outdoor school is a residential field trip experience where students learn about the natural world. Topics of study include soil, water, plants, animals, habitats, and natural cycles. Immerse students in Oregon’s natural landscape while learning about the Klamath-Siskiyou region through deep nature connections and place-based inquiry. Students engage directly with nature to investigate, do hands-on activities, and report discoveries while enhancing their social and emotional development through discussion and collaboration.

Since 2017, Measure 99 provides funding for ALL Oregon 5th and/or 6th graders to attend Outdoor School free of cost! Schools and school districts must apply for this state funding through the Oregon State Extension Service.

Contact our Education Program Manager to register your group today: Call (541) 597-8530 ext. 106, or email edmanager@thesfi.org

Once a group leader has set a program date, they will receive a confirmation email within 3-5 business days. The confirmation packet will include deposit information, a cost estimate, all relevant deadlines and necessary paperwork.

Program Brochure
Program Summary
Teacher Packet
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Program Options

Curriculum Content Areas

All lessons led by SFI Instructors and meet NGSS Standards

Year-round, grades K-12

In this class, students will engage in fieldwork to assess the health of local water bodies through macroinvertebrate searching and water quality testing. By studying the presence and diversity of macroinvertebrates, students will learn to evaluate aquatic ecosystem health indicators in the Rogue River Watershed and Deer Creek. 

Module emphasis: Stream inventory/survey, water quality measurements (pH, temp., oxygen) comparing ponds and streams, macroinvertebrates, aquatic food webs, stream retention and flow.

Year-round, grades K-12

Students examine the role of fire in ecosystems, what influences their spread and intensity, and how fire can be used to maintain ecosystem health. Due to the 2018 Klondike fire, the 2017 Chetco Bar fire, and the 2002 Biscuit fire, SFI and its surroundings demonstrate extensive successional changes that create the perfect lens for looking at fires and their role in forests. 

Module emphasis: Human management of forestland, fireboard study, vegetation survey, tree identification, plant adaptation to climate/fire, and exploration of the University of Oregon’s on-site climate study experiment. 

Year-round, grades K-12

Students explore the unique serpentine ecology of this region and the flora that has adapted in its mineral-rich, nutrient-poor soils. Hosting a Darlingtonia fen and serpentine outcroppings, the SFI property provides ample opportunities for hands-on exploration of insectivorous and endemic plants.

Module emphasis: Tectonic plates, Siskiyou geology, serpentine endemic species, soil testing/comparison (pH, soil type), abiotic/biotic relationships.

Year-round, grades K-12

Students practice citizen science by investigating animal and plant biodiversity and their adaptations.  SFI’s property is situated in the heart of the Klamath-Siskiyou ecoregion, a global center of biodiversity that harbors more conifers than any other temperate forest in the world, 280 species of flowering plants that are found nowhere else, and an abundant array of wildlife. 

Module emphasis: Plant community exploration and identification, animal adaptations, songbird and migratory bird observation, habitat requirements, animal specimen investigation.

Year-round (depending on weather), grades K-12

A Siskiyou experience like none other! The Ropes Challenge Course at SFI consists of three different elements: Diversity Trail, Vertical Spider Web, and The Bridge is Out (the low elements). Under the direction of our trained facilitators, students connect the challenges they face while completing the course with real-life obstacles, and develop self-confidence, trust, and teamwork. 

All evening programs are taught by SFI instructors. Each evening program is approximately an hour (or a little over) and takes place after dinner and before sundown each evening your class is at the site. 

Options are:

  • Campfire
  • Compass course
  • Dusk hike
  • Invention Convention 

What to Expect

Each school is responsible for transportation to and from the Siskiyou Field Institute campus. We encourage each group to bring at least one personal vehicle in case of emergencies. Arrival time on Day 1 of overnight programs is 12:30 PM, and departure on the last day is 10:30 AM. Day Program arrival and departure times can vary. Transportation may be organized via carpool or bus. Buses are allowed to remain on SFI grounds for the entire program length, if needed.

We are proud to provide healthy and filling meals for our overnight campers. SFI asks that schools plan for the first day of overnight programming by bringing a sack lunch. The first meal served for overnight programs is typically dinner on the first day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are prepared by SFI’s onsite camp cook. SFI serves snacks throughout the day. All allergies and sensitivities can be accommodated.
For our day programs, SFI asks that schools plan to bring sack lunches. Refrigeration is available if needed.

Students who come to outdoor school at SFI experience  the adventure of sleeping in a campsite-like setting with their peers. SFI has two sleeping yurts with bunk beds that sleep 12 and 18 individuals. We also have bell tents with sleeping mats that sleep 10 individuals each. All students and adults need to bring their own sleeping bags!

Students use a group bath house with four stalls and three private showers on each side. Yurts and the bath house are ADA accessible. 

We offer separate lodging accommodations for teachers in our Kendeda House lodge if there is a sufficient chaperone to student ratio in the yurts/tents. Enjoy a private shower, climate control, and wifi!  

A non-residential Outdoor School program option is also available at SFI. In order for non-residential programming to qualify for state funding, it must include four consecutive days of learning and meet the science learning requirements. If a non-overnight option may be a better fit for your school, email edmanager@thesfi.org to learn more.

Day Programs

SFI Day Programs can be tailored to fit K-12 public, private, charter, and homeschool students. Day programs typically run four hours long and can include multiple curriculum modules over consecutive days. Pricing can be adjusted if a group would like more or less than four hours. Please contact the YEP Manager to customize your program schedule. One curriculum module per day should be chosen by the group leader.

SFI offers field-based, educational day programs that can be tailored to fit the needs of K-12 public, private, charter, and homeschool students. All SFI curriculum aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards.
Year-round (depending on weather)
A Siskiyou experience like none other! The Ropes Challenge Course at SFI consists of six different high and low ropes challenge course elements: Giant Swing, Catwalk, Staple Climb (the high elements), and Diversity Trail, Vertical Spider Web, and The Bridge is Out (the low elements). Under the direction of our trained facilitators, students connect the challenges they face while completing the course with real-life obstacles, and develop self-confidence, trust, and teamwork. Harnesses for the High Ropes section of the course accommodate waist sizes between 22-51 inches. Consider reserving it for your next business retreat, family reunion, or birthday party!
Pricing varies based on income eligibility guidelines. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required within 14 days of scheduling to reserve your date. If scheduling a day program less than 14 days in advance, your deposit will be due upon scheduling. Please see the Youth Education section of our website, siskiyoufieldinstitute.org for Day Program pricing.
Field Trip Contact Form
Click Here for Funding Resources

Outdoor School and Residential Programs

Our residential overnight programs provide an unforgettable learning experience for fifth grade through high school-aged public, private, charter, and homeschool students. Residential programs are typically one to four nights in length and include meals, lodging, instruction from qualified instructors, and evening campfire activities. All SFI curriculum aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards.

Year-round, grades 5-12
Fit more fun and exploration into your students’ field studies by staying overnight at SFI with your class! Our residential overnight programs provide an unforgettable learning experience for fifth grade through high school-aged public, private, charter, and homeschool students. Choose from one, two, or three nights of programming, and choose from our learning modules to fit your curriculum needs. All of our programs emphasize social and emotional development, deep nature connections, collaborative skills, active inclusion, and mindfulness.
Please contact the YEP coordinator to customize your program schedule.

SFI Day Programs can be tailored to fit K-12 public, private, charter, and homeschool students. All SFI curriculum aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards. Day programs typically run four hours long and can include multiple curriculum modules over consecutive days. Pricing can be adjusted if a group would like more or less than four hours. Please contact the YEP coordinator to customize your program schedule. One curriculum module per day should be chosen by the group leader.

A $500 non-refundable deposit to reserve your date is required within 14 days of receiving your confirmation email and estimated cost invoice. The package fee provides lodging, food, snacks, equipment and instruction.

A 10% non-refundable deposit is required to keep the date, within 14 days of receiving your confirmation email and estimated cost invoice. If you schedule a day program less than 14 days in advance, your deposit will be due upon scheduling.

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