FRIENDS OF OUTDOOR SCHOOL
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : k*m@f********************l.o*g
Mission Statement
Friends of Outdoor School’s purpose is to connect, support, and advocate for all of Oregon’s diverse students to learn at inclusive and accessible Outdoor School programs that contribute to educational development, inspire youth, promote personal growth, and embrace justice.
About This Cause
At Outdoor School, students in fifth or sixth grade leave their school classrooms, moving into the outdoors to learn, immersed in nature, and led by skilled educators. Outdoor School transforms recreational camps or parks into a living laboratory where students are immersed in nature, often overnight. While there, educators guide students to learn about the natural sciences of soil, water, plants, and animals specific to the local ecology, examine the historical and present use of the land, and discover how they can make healthy and informed choices for themselves and future generations. Friends of Outdoor School (Friends of ODS) is the key connection between Outdoor School and the larger community of individuals, businesses, community organizations, and government agencies that support Oregon’s statewide Outdoor School system. We accomplish our mission through network-building, community engagement, and advocacy. With a flexible, responsive, nimble, and adaptable approach, we work to build the capacity of the statewide Outdoor School system to ensure that Outdoor School provides equitable and inclusive learning experiences for each and every Oregon student. Our Vision Outdoor School is a place where every child can belong. Our role is to: -Connect people in Oregon who care about Outdoor School -Facilitate the Oregon Outdoor School Network which includes the Programs & Places Network and the Community Network -Lead the advocacy efforts for Oregon Outdoor School Friends of ODS manages the statewide Outdoor School networks. Our networks work together to: -Promote equitable access to Outdoor School -Champion Outdoor School to decision-makers throughout the state -Examine the impact of Outdoor School on students -Tackle problems and capture opportunities as they arise -Advocate for state funding for Oregon students to attend Outdoor School -Raise awareness of Outdoor School throughout Oregon Our current strategies include: -Positively influencing the implementation of Senate Bill 439 and Measure 99 by working in cooperation with Oregon State University Extension, Oregon State Legislature, the Governor, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon State Board of Higher Education, and other relevant State agencies. -Facilitating an active network of Outdoor School providers and sites committed to equitable access to and inclusive experiences at Outdoor School for every Oregon student. -Actively connecting program providers, sites, schools, community members, and resources. -Engaging Outdoor School stakeholders across the state to advocate for equitable, inclusive, accessible, and affirming Outdoor School to decision-makers in their communities and statewide. -Supporting communities around the state to support their local Outdoor School programs and sites. Our successes include: -Securing and advocating for continued statewide funding for every 5th or 6th-grade student to attend a week of Outdoor School. -Championing high-quality inclusive, accessible, and equitable Outdoor School programming that meets the needs of Oregon’s diverse students. -Securing tens of millions of community philanthropic dollars and in-kind donations to support Outdoor School. -Mobilizing thousands of committed volunteers to support and promote Outdoor School Broadly communicating to the public and decision-makers about the importance and benefits of Outdoor School. Investing in Friends of Outdoor School ensures that while at Outdoor School, students can feel safe, included, and experience meaningful outdoor education. We are moving Outdoor School from an opportunity for students to their right! Friends of Outdoor School ensures that Outdoor School is a place where every child can belong.