Outdoor Program

Lower School girls roots in outdoor education
Lower School Boys learn how to pitch a tent at SCH Academy
4th grade boy Outdoor Education at SCH Academy
Middle School boys outdoors
High School Environmental Class gathers chestnuts from SCH's Chestnut Trees
9th grade goes on Outward Bound each year at SCH to kick off their freshman year bonding

Today, our children have more digital distractions competing for their attention than ever before. SCH's Outdoor Program immerses our students in nature. Here, they leave virtual things behind and engage in hands-on experiences. Our students take time to focus their attention on the world and people around them in a setting that nurtures open eyes, ears, and minds. With quality time spent in nature, our students learn to become good stewards of the land. Together we will build an ethic of caring and respect for this resource that is theirs to protect and maintain.

JAMIE LAMENT
Outdoor Program Director

Jamie Lament, Director of the SCH Outdoor Program

Outdoor experiences at SCH Academy build character and complement the curriculum.

At SCH, seemingly simple walks in the woods can transform into lessons on microbiology, while a curricular lesson on bird calls can spark a lifelong passion. From kindergarten onward, students are introduced to curricular and extracurricular outdoor experiences that foster teamwork, resilience, and a love of learning. 

At the start of the school year, 9th graders embark on a five-day Outward Bound expedition, leaving behind their cell phones to focus on team-building activities and effective communication skills. This tradition extends across all grades, with Middle and Upper School students participating in nature-based trips that strengthen bonds within the community. Lower School students engage in an Outdoor Program, exploring woods on foot and bike, and studying nature through the Science Outdoors program. These outdoor activities foster teamwork, resilience, and a love of learning, transforming simple walks into lessons on microbiology or bird calls. SCH Academy emphasizes the connection between the natural world and academic pursuits, encouraging students to appreciate and learn from nature, leaning into importance of discovery, challenges, and risks for healthy growth and maturity.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION VS. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

While both outdoor education and environmental science share a connection to the natural world, they have distinct focuses and goals. In essence, outdoor education is about experiencing and connecting with the natural world, while environmental science is about understanding and protecting it.

However, there is overlap. Outdoor education often incorporates elements of environmental science to enhance understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Similarly, environmental scientists often benefit from firsthand experience in the outdoors to inform their research and problem-solving.

Outdoor Education Stories