Outdoor School in the 1980s
MESD Outdoor School > History > History by Decade > The 1980s

Spring 1980

Adams, Arrah Wanna, Collins,
​Howard, Sports Acres
 

Fall 1980
from Outdoor School - A History 1966-1996

Starting in the fall of 1980, Multnomah Outdoor Education created and conducted a local environmental.program, utilizing a "floating" outdoor classroom that traveled from Hayden Island on the Columbia River to the falls at Oregon City. Some fifty 8th graders, pre-exposed to local history through prepared classroom guides and filmstrips, boarded a boat for a half-day excursion. A trained educator/guide pointed out the sites of ancient Indian camps and modem industrial developments—from the water view—the best way to see Portland's industry. The program was financed initially by Multnomah Education Service District seed money, but was overwhelmingly funded by river-edge industries and the Port of Portland. Due to the financial recession of the early 1980s the program died for lack of funding. Titled the Willamette Harbor Tour, the project accommodated over 5, 000 metropolitan 8th graders.

Spring 1981
 

Fall 1981
 

Spring 1982
 

Fall 1982
from Outdoor School - A History 1966-1996

In the fall of 1982 a benchmark was reached when the 100,000th 6th grader arrived at the Howard Outdoor School site. An impressive ceremony was held for former and current Outdoor School participants. The high-lite of the occasion was the enthusiastic participation of former Governor Tom McCall, the Northwest's leading environmental advocate. It was to be his last public appearance and he died of cancer shortly after. Outdoor School was honored.

“All of us pray that outdoor schools won’t suddenly become environmental frills, especially in light of tax limitation efforts. It is really worthwhile to have this kind of sense, understanding and appreciation in your blood so that the causes so meaningful to Oregon have knowledgeable advocates. Don’t you doubt Oregon’s heritage. With the balanced view of the economy and the environment that you have gained as a result of this school, you know that this balance is vital to making Oregon the livability state of all the Union. Outdoor School has swept me off my feet—the concept, the success, and what it means down the line in terms of a viable, healthy, wonderful, green Oregon.”

Spring 1983
 

Fall 1983

Adams, Arrah Wanna, Collins,
​Eagle Fern, Howard
 

Spring 1984
 

Fall 1984

Arrah Wanna, Eagle Fern, Howard, Sports Acres, Trout Creek
 

Spring 1985

Arrah Wanna, Collins, Eagle Fern, Howard, Trout Creek
 

Fall 1985

Collins, Eagle Fern, Howard,
​Trestle Glen, Trout Creek
 

Spring 1986
 

Fall 1986

Collins, Eagle Fern, Howard, 
​Trestle Glen, Trout Creek
 

Spring 1987

Collins, Eagle Fern, Howard, 
​Trestle Glen, Trout Creek
 

Fall 1987

Collins, Eagle Fern, Howard, 
​Trestle Glen, Trout Creek
 

Spring 1988

Collins, Eagle Fern, Howard, 
​Trestle Glen, Trout Creek
 

Fall 1988

Collins, Eagle Fern, Howard, 
​Trestle Glen, Trout Creek
 

Spring 1989

Collins, Eagle Fern, Howard, 
​Trestle Glen, Trout Creek
 

Fall 1989

Collins, Eagle Fern, Howard, 
​Trestle Glen, Trout Creek