The Pendleton Outdoor School Program (ODS) and Intermountain Education Service District (IMESD) are preparing to celebrate more than five decades of teaching 6th grade students in the wilderness of the Umatilla National Forest.
Since the early 1970s, Pendleton sixth graders have ventured to Buck Creek Cabins and USFS Corporation facility on the banks of the Umatilla River to apply skills developed in the classroom to real -life situations found in the natural environment. To mark the 50th session of this event there will be a celebration at Buck Creek Cabins on Friday, April 29.
This event is open to former ODS campers, counselors, field study volunteers, teachers and community supporters. The planning committee would like to connect with these groups and individuals to invite and include them in the event. People interested in learning more about this historical event should connect with the program by emailing PendletonODS@pendletonsd.org and on its Facebook page.
At the April 29 Celebration, two events will occur: a Flagpole Dedication Ceremony and a Building Dedication Ceremony. Three ODS buildings are being renamed and dedicated in honor of three individuals who contributed their time, talents and skills to the ODS program:
- Cookhouse: Bob McMillan
- Bunkhouse: Jim Christensen
- Ranger Cabin: Vern Willcox (passed away in 2018)
Due to limited parking at the ODS site, IMESD is providing transportation via Mid-Columbia Bus Company from Pendleton for the event. Here is the schedule for the day:
- 11:30 a.m. – Bus leaves Pendleton (from IMESD parking lot, 2001 SW Nye Ave.)
- 12:30 p.m. – Bus arrives at ODS site, Corporation area
- 12:30 p.m. – Hot dog lunch is served
- 1:15 p.m. – Bus shuttles visitors to Buck Creek area
- 1:30 p.m. – Flagpole Ceremony at Buck Creek
- 1:50 p.m. – Bus shuttles visitors back to Corporation
- 2 p.m. – Building Dedications at Corporation
- 3 p.m. – Bus departs ODS
- 4 p.m. – Bus arrives back in Pendleton
