Outdoor Science School

Experience a one-of-a-kind, completely customized science learning opportunity! OMSI offers three different outdoor school sites with varied curricula all aligned with Oregon’s content standards and benchmarks. It’s an experience your students will never forget!

The days begin with an early morning walk and breakfast, followed by five hours of field study, getting up close and personal with your customized topics. It’s back to camp in the early afternoon for a little rest and relaxation followed by interest groups. These 90–minute group sessions allow students to delve deeper into more focused topics ranging from survival skills to the formation of fossils. Students then unwind with some free time and a homecooked meal followed by an evening program, which might include a bat slide show or a night hike. Days end with the time-honored camp tradition of songs and skits around the campfire.


Download our Complete Educator Resource Guide: 2011–2012 OMSI Educator Resource Guide (PDF)

For more information or to register: Call: 503.797.4661 Email: register@omsi.edu
Hancock Field Station  
Pacific Marine Science School
Santiam Science School

Pricing & Subject Options

2 Night, 3 Day Program
Grades 1–12, college students, adults, families
12 Person Minimum $145 - $155 per person

4 Night, 5 Day Program
Grades 1–12, college students, adults, families
12 Person Minimum $245 - $260 per person

Customize Your Experience
contact us to discuss additional options

Subject Options

One great feature of Outdoor Science School is the amount of choice you have in designing an outdoor experience that works for your particular interests and styles. For example, for each day of your visit, you choose field study topics, including cultural history, ecological mapping techniques, and many others. You also select from a long list of interest groups, which are short classes that meet after field study. Topics include paleontology field techniques, spiders and insects, and aquatic study. Evening programs occur between dinner and campfire and run the gamut from a slide show about bats to Eco-Jeopardy. 

Cost includes:

One OMSI educator for every 15 students, program coordination, lodging, meals, pre-and post-materials, and field equipment.

Groups provide transportation, chaperones at a 1:8 ratio, and lunch on the first day.

Typical Schedule

Arrival Day Full Day Departure Day

12:00pm Arrival & Orientation
1:30pm Field Study
4:00pm Snack
4:15pm Class Time
5:00pm Free Time
6:00pm Dinner
7:30pm Evening Program
8:30pm Campfire
9:15pm Bedtime
6:30am Optional Walk
7:30am Breakfast
9:00am Field Study
2:00pm Cabin Time
3:00pm Class Time
3:30pm Interest Groups
5:00pm Free Time
6:00pm Dinner
7:30pm Evening Program
8:30pm Campfire
9:15pm Bedtime
7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Pack and Clean
9:30am Interest Groups
11:00am Lunch
12:00pm Depart

Science Store

Visit the OMSI Science StoreThe OMSI Science Store has the perfect mix of educational and entertaining gifts, games, and gadgets. Shop in the museum or online.
Visit the OMSI Science Store

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