Outdoor Program
where the city meets the woods
We are extremely fortunate to have an amazing resource right at our backdoor, and we take full advantage of this sylvan gift. With boots on and tools in hand, all Lower School students spend a considerable amount of time exploring the Wissahickon Valley and the Fairmount Park system—one of the country’s largest urban parks.
Now more than ever, utilizing our outdoor classroom is vital for our students and young children growing up in a digital age. We are fortunate to be able to head out into the woods, discovering the natural resources around us, more often so that are students stay safe, educated, and curious.
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
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
Focus: Primarily on personal growth, skill development, and appreciation for the outdoors.
GOALS:
- Develop physical and mental health through outdoor activities.
- Foster teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Build a connection to nature and a sense of environmental stewardship.
- Teach outdoor survival and safety skills.
Methods: Experiential learning, hands-on activities, and outdoor adventures.
ENVIRONMENTAL science
Focus: Scientific study of the environment and human interaction with it.
GOALS:
- Understand environmental systems and processes.
- Analyze environmental problems and develop solutions.
Promote sustainable practices.
- Conduct research and contribute to scientific knowledge.
Methods: Scientific inquiry, data collection, analysis, and experimentation.