CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Each year fifth-grade student and teachers in the Hermiston schools take delight in having classes in the foothills of the Blue Mountains.
This year over four hundred fifth graders were able to enjoy the addition of kayak, paddles, and life vests to their learning experience. Roger’s Toyota and Hermiston Noon Kiwanis donated eight kayaks along with paddles and life vests to the Outdoor School Program.
On Wednesday, a few Outdoor School organizers and students were at Roger’s Toyota to thank representatives from Roger’s Toyota and Noon Kiwanis for their recent contribution.
This year, as a pilot program, the students went during the fall to see if this was a better conducive learning environment instead of going in the spring time.
During Outdoor School students learn to identify plants and how wild fires affect the forest with the help of the U.S. National Forest Service. Students also learn about birds of prey, do hands-on science experiments, participate in team building activities, go on teacher led hikes, and participate in other fun activities. For many students this is the first time they’ve experienced the outdoors.
Outdoor School has been possible with the support of great organizations that have contributed to ensure that fifth graders continue to have this opportunity. Some of the contributors have been Walmart, Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation, Wildhorse Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation –RAI Project, Tom Denchel Ford Country (Drive One 4 UR School event).
Outdoor School would not be successful without the community partners, parent volunteers and the staff’s disposition to make Outdoor School a memorable experience for fifth-grade students.
