10 Reasons You Should Be an Outdoor School Student Leader This Spring |
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This article was written by ODS Student Leader Zoe "Twiggy" Ray.
It originally appeared in the St. Mary's Academy online student newspaper, Ms Print, on January 13, 2016.
It originally appeared in the St. Mary's Academy online student newspaper, Ms Print, on January 13, 2016.
Petrichor, Douglas Firs, campfire songs, and laughter – here’s why you should think about being an Outdoor School student leader this upcoming Spring session.
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1) It’s tons of fun.
If you went to Outdoor School as a sixth grader, you can probably remember how much fun you had. If you’re like me, and didn’t have a good Outdoor School experience, it’s ten times more fun as a student leader, and you’re able to provide other kids with the experience that you never received. You may have heard that the program is hard work, which is true, but it’s also filled with songs, field studies, dance parties, ice cream, field-day games, and more. |
“Being a student leader at Outdoor School is a lot of work and commitment, but it’s not without tons of fun! You meet amazing people from all over the Portland Metro Area and make incredible friends with people you wouldn’t meet otherwise. Some of my favorite memories come from Outdoor School: leading games and songs for a week straight!” |
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2) You gain leadership qualities.
Anyone who has attended Outdoor school will tell you one thing: It’s hard (but rewarding) work. To sixth graders, you’re not only their student leader, but also their parent, older sibling, teacher, roommate, boss, and friend. Some say that the effort overwhelms the fun of the program, which can be true for some people. It’s definitely a challenge, but when you hear a sixth grader shout “this is the best week of my life!”, suddenly memorizing all those facts about plants doesn’t seem so difficult. |
“I met my best self at ODS. Not only are you constantly surrounded by positive mentors, but you’re learning from kiddos that setting yourself up as a leader simply means embracing your strengths and that touching lives in magical ways can be achieved through a week in the forest.” |
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3) You learn awesome things.
The core of Outdoor School is learning science. Student leaders are assigned to one of four field studies: Plants, Animals, Water, and Soil. The lessons are memorized and then taught to sixth graders. This workload intimidates a lot of potential Outdoor School student leaders. However, after a day or so of instructions, you will have it memorized and know it like the back of your hand. Even better, once you have it memorized, you can teach it and fully appreciate how fascinating it is! |
Howard Outdoor School camp grounds and the “hobbit hole”
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4) It’s worth missing a week of school.
One of the biggest reasons for not attending Outdoor School is the week away from school, especially if a mountain of make-up work awaits the following week. While make-up work is never very fun, Outdoor School is worth the follow-up because of its life-long rewards. If you’re still on the fence about missing an entire week, most Outdoor School sessions are filled with half-weeks that are only about 3 days long, that way you’re missing only half the time. |
“The experience of Outdoor School is irreplaceable. You miss about a week, and it takes about a week to make up. Give yourself designated time. The make-up work is very doable and VERY worth it.” |
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5) You can join as a freshman! (technically)
Though Freshmen can’t participate in the Outdoor School Program, they can participate in the [4th Grade] Overnight for fourth graders. It works almost like a stepping stone for Outdoor School, as there’s less responsibility (since you aren’t living with sixth graders in cabins), more free time, and less to memorize overnight. |
“I did OT my freshman year and it was very fun. I bonded with other student leaders a lot and had a lot of upperclassman friends. You’re not with the kids as much but you teach them about history and it’s a blast!” |
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6) Sixth graders are the best.
From an every day perspective, teaching sixth graders might not seem very appealing. 12 year-olds can be a little grungy and smelly. However, something magical happens to sixth graders at Outdoor School. They become infatuated with the things they’re learning, kinder to other people, and joke in a hilarious way that only middle schoolers can. It’s hard to step into the sense of humor of a 12 year-old without actually joking with 12 year-olds, a practice you will master by the end of the week. At Outdoor School, you allow yourself to be refreshingly silly. |
“The preconceived notion that a lot of people have is that sixth graders are incredibly juvenile, and while they are obviously younger than you, the truth is that through Outdoor School you really get to see their maturity flourish. They’re given an opportunity to be more mature and grow so much as people.” |
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7) You get to know other people.
Every week of Outdoor School will employ about 15-20 other student leaders on average. They may be people that you wouldn’t usually talk to, but they become your closest friends during the week. |
“It’s so much easier than you think it is. Everyone there comes with such a good attitude and you’re all in the same boat. Everyone wants to make friends just like you, don’t worry.” |
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8) You get to know yourself.
A lot of people say that they have their best ideas while in the shower or while distracted– I like to think of Outdoor School in the same way. When you’re managing dozens of sixth graders (or even just one!), you don’t have time to worry about anything besides your job. By the end of the week, you’re feeling confident, safe, and not even thinking about problems that you might have considered in your regular life. |
“It’s made me really confident and [has] helped me to speak in front of groups. I felt like ‘Hey, I can do this! I can feel powerful and learn stuff on the fly!’ It really helped with a lot of things in my daily life.” “At Outdoor School, I can be the best, most positive version of myself that I can be. I can be a leader to kids that may not have other secure positive influences on their life in the real world. It’s a place where everyone’s there for the same thing: To have the time of their life and to give overwhelming support”. |
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9) Being a student leader comes with major bragging rights.
Being able to teach on the spot and manage an entire cabin of 6th graders is not an easy feat, and something to be proud of that you pulled off! This isn’t the only reason to do Outdoor School, but a job as hard as being a student leader is a skill that plenty of colleges, job applications, and people you know will appreciate. How many people do you know that have babysat one hundred 12 year-olds at once? |
![Walking through the forest of Camp Adams during a session of the [4th Grade] Overnight](/uploads/6/2/2/2/62229045/image-11_orig.jpg)
Walking through the forest of Camp Adams during a session of the [4th Grade] Overnight
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10) It can change your life.
As cheesy as it sounds, Outdoor School is a magical place. It’s filled with support, creativity, laughter, and love. It’s a place where you have a fresh start, and are allowed to be a goofy and real version of yourself that is difficult to find elsewhere. |
“Outdoor school is the reason I want to be an educator when I grow up. It changed my perspective on education, children, science, and so much more. Every time I go to Outdoor School I come back with new knowledge and a new passion and I never feel quite the same.” |
My wood cookie (name tag), “magic” pennies, and thank-you letters written by sixth graders.
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So, WHEN you decide to be a student leader, (*hint hint, wink wink*) come talk to any of your SMA Outdoor School recruiters about how to sign up or if you have any questions. The spring session starts April 3rd*, so you’ll have plenty of time to prepare! When you’ve decided, click the link below and fill out your info to join.
https://ods.apps.mesd.k12.or.us/ Still on the fence? Don’t sweat it, Outdoor School holds an orientation night where you go to the camp, meet the staff, and train to be a student leader. After the training you can opt out if you decide that being a student leader isn’t for you. We’ll see you in the spring! – Zoe “Twiggy” Ray |
*The session starts on a different date this year. Please see the Student Leader Calendar for workshop dates.
Registration is usually open starting in August and January.
Registration is usually open starting in August and January.
