Outdoor School
Outdoor School gives homeschool students the opportunity to learn, explore, and build community through hands-on experiences in the natural world.
Meeting on Fridays at Cool Spring Preserve, Outdoor School is designed for homeschool kids who are curious about the world around them and ready to take their learning outside. Each month features a new theme, giving students the chance to investigate different aspects of nature through active exploration, observation, discovery, and play.
Students will spend most of their time outdoors, using Cool Spring Preserve as their classroom. Activities may include exploring habitats, observing plants and animals, conducting hands-on investigations, creating nature-inspired projects, and asking questions about the world around them. Our goal is to encourage curiosity, build confidence as young scientists and naturalists, and help students develop a deeper connection to the natural world.
Each month brings a new theme to explore! Outdoor School is more than a chance to spend the day outside – it’s an opportunity for homeschool students to learn alongside others, share ideas, make discoveries, and develop a sense of wonder about the world around them.
Program Structure
- Location: Cool Spring Preserve
- Ages: 6-10 years old
- Day: Fridays
- Schedule: 9 am – 3 pm on most Fridays. 3- or 4-session monthly programs with new themes each month!
- Cost: $50 per session, sold month-by-month in bundles of 3 sessions or 4 sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
To attend Outdoor School, your child must:
- Be okay with being outdoors all day (with appropriate opportunities to cool down/warm up inside the Case Nature Center).
- Be potty trained and be able to use the bathroom on their own.
- Be capable of staying with their assigned group with minimal reinforcement.
- Be capable of maintaining appropriate self-control in social situations.
- Be capable of regularly following staff instructions.
Please note: If your child cannot follow directions and/or control themselves, they may be asked to leave.
We’re happy to make reasonable accommodations for children with special needs, depending on their requirements. Parents and guardians with questions regarding the ability of staff to meet a child’s needs should contact staff before registering.
Outdoor School is a drop-off program with a small group size. Currently, sessions are limited to 8 students to ensure that each child can receive adequate attention and a personalized instruction experience. The program instructor holds an active First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes infant and pediatric specialization. A second adult is always present on site for the duration of the program in case of emergency.
At this time we are not a Hope Scholarship Provider. However, we have submitted an application to become a Hope Scholarship provider. Please check back for updates.
At this time we do not provide any financial aid for our Outdoor School program, although we hope to do so in the future. However, PVAS members are eligible for a 10% discount.
View our policies page. Applicable policies are listed under “Fee-based programs.” Please note that we do not offer partial refunds for multi-day/multi-session programs.
What to wear to camp
- Comfortable clothing that can get dirty
- Sunscreen (please apply before camp)
- Bug spray (please apply before camp)
- Hats and sunglasses are recommended
- Hiking shoes or sneakers, or hiking sandals that are strapped to the foot (i.e. Chacos, Tevas, Keens, etc.)
What to bring: (Please label with your child’s name)
- A packed lunch
- Sunscreen and bug spray (for reapplying later in the day)
- A backpack or bag to hold all of the camper’s belongings
- An additional empty bag or backpack to carry water, snack and camp supplies while on the trail
- A refillable/reusable water bottle/s already filled to start the day (We have water for refills)
- Outer layers suitable for the weather: Rain jacket, poncho, sweater, coat, hat, gloves
Outdoor School is lead and taught by PVAS Program Specialist Ellie George. As this program is at its start, we are presently keeping the group size to no more than 8 kids.
At this time we do not have opportunities for Counselors-in-Training from our summer camps. However, we are considering a future role similar to Counselors-in-Training for older homeschool students who wish to help. Please email ellie@potomacaudubon.org if interested.
Email Ellie George, Program Specialist, at ellie@potomacaudubon.org