Philadelphia Private School Outdoor Program

where the city meets the woods

SCH Academy is uniquely situated bordering the Wissahickon Valley, part of Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park system—one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. Our Lower School students take full advantage of this "sylvan gift," venturing into the woods with boots on and tools in hand.

In an increasingly digital age, our outdoor classroom is a vital resource. By integrating nature-based learning into our curriculum, we provide a safe, engaging environment where students can stay active, curious, and connected to the natural world.

Lower School Owl Prowl

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

SCH Academy integrates the outdoors into its curriculum to build character and curiosity. From Lower School nature exploration to the 9th-grade Outward Bound expedition, students engage in hands-on experiences that foster resilience, teamwork, and a lifelong love of learning. By connecting academic lessons to the natural world, SCH encourages students to embrace discovery and challenge as essential components of their growth.

Lower School Outdoor Program

In Lower School, SCH's students are offered a variety of trips and outdoor adventures in our Lower School Outdoor Program. These trips are guided by Jamie LaMent—our Outdoor Program Director—and include nine half-day, full-day, and an overnight trip into the Wissahickon and beyond.

Our bi-annual trout hike occurs every fall and spring for the Lower School boys and girls. In the fall, students hike into the Wissahickon to conduct water-quality tests and habitat surveys. Here, they gather a better understanding of the requirements of the trout they will be raising from eggs in the classroom. Later in the spring, students port the young trout they have raised from fry back to the creek and release them into the Wissahickon.

Other trips include a day trip to the Philadelphia Rock Gym, bike hikes of varying length depending on grade level, a day trip to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, a parent-child overnight camping trip that follows the footsteps of Daniel Boone, and more.

Environmental Education

As an extension of our academic curriculum, all of our students travel beyond classroom walls. In science classes, clubs, and electives, students have the opportunity to see their studies come to life in new environments. These experiences—from wilderness to water—help students bond, take risks, and grow in new ways.

Many of our science classes take advantage of the campus's proximity to the Wissahickon woods. During the fall, Lower School students build a "bug hotel" in the woods for various insects after studying their behaviors and habitats. With our very own campus beehives, students also learn to collect data, study behavior, and even taste the honey produced from SCH bees.

These studies continue for our Middle and Upper School science electives. In SCH’s Upper School pharmacology elective, students experiment with various types of honey to see which is most effective at killing bacteria and compare results to known antibiotic drugs—like penicillin and streptomycin.

Off-Campus Trips

To complement SCH's rigorous curriculum, our Middle and Upper School students take scheduled off-campus trips to destinations across the tristate area.

Each Middle School grade level begins the school year with an overnight trip, returning a little bit wiser, stronger, and ready to take on the school year. Students have adventured to Camp Kweebec, Echo Hill, College Settlement, Refreshing Mountain, Pocono Plateau, and Pocono Environmental Education Center.

In Upper School, at the start of the school year, all 9th grade students participate in a challenging five-day Outward Bound expedition that encourages student bonding and builds self-confidence. Outward Bound has more than fifty years of experience, and our partnership with them ensures that the program is an intentional, safe, and dynamic experience.

Interested in more? Read a few blog posts from Head of Upper School Matthew Norcini about the Outward Bound experience.

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.

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 Instructor

Jamie Lament, Director of the SCH Outdoor Program

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