Student Leader Workshop
MESD Outdoor School > For Student Leaders > Student Leader Workshop
​
Registration for Spring 2025 Outdoor School is open!
Fall registration will open in August 2025.
Download Old-Fashioned Student Leader Registration Card (PDF)
​Each fall and spring, an on-site Student Leader Workshop is held at each of the Outdoor School and 4th Grade Overnight sites (spring only for 4th Grade Overnight). This gives prospective Student Leaders an opportunity to see the site, meet the staff, and get hands-on training about their role as a Student Leader.
​
TO SERVE AS A STUDENT LEADER, YOU MUST ATTEND A WORKSHOP EACH SESSION.  Register for a Workshop online or turn in a signed registration card to the MESD office (or your school's counseling office). Register online using the blue button, or download a paper registration card. Paper registration cards are also available in your school's counseling office.

Where

The Student Leader Workshop will take place at the Outdoor School site you originally registered for. If you marked "any" or you can't remember, contact the Outdoor School office and we can look up your registration! If you would like to switch sites, you may do so up to a week before the overnight workshop. We can accommodate your request only if there is space available. 
(503) 257-1600 or [email protected]. 
​

When

OVERNIGHT Saturday and Sunday, March 9-10, 2024.
If you have prior family, academic, or extra-curricular commitments, there are alternate workshop options available.
​

Why

At the workshop, you will meet the staff, become familiar with the site, and learn some of the skills necessary to become an effective leader. You will also be assigned to a field study and practice teaching skills while familiarizing yourself with the lessons. Please bring paper and pencil to take notes.
​

Rules

Outdoor School is considered part of school, and is approved by all public high schools in Multnomah County. Your school's rules (as well as all state and federal laws) apply and will be enforced while you are at Outdoor School. Specifically: sex is forbidden, as is the use or possession of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco / nicotine / vape products. Violation of these rules will result in immediate removal from the Outdoor School program, and your school will be notified. If you cannot live with these rules, please don't come.
​

What to Bring

There is no cost for the overnight workshop or for bus transportation. You will be working outside; please wear comfortable / casual clothes, and prepare for the weather (sturdy shoes, sweater, rain jacket, hat, warm socks, etc.). You will be staying overnight; please bring sleeping bag, pillow, and personal effects. If you do not have any of the above items, please contact the ODS office—we have items you can borrow. A flashlight is recommended. Please do not bring valuable items.
​

Getting There

Bus transportation is provided (see: Bus Schedules). If your school isn't listed, feel free to catch the bus at a different school on the schedule. The workshop begins as soon as you get on the first bus, and ends after you get off the bus at your high school on Saturday. We expect your behavior during registration, in the parking lot, and on the bus to be polite and courteous at all times, in keeping with school and bus rules.
​

Week Assignment

At the workshop you will identify weeks you are available to participate, and weeks you are not available to participate. You will not be assigned to a week you mark as "not available." Outdoor School weeks typically run Sunday - Friday and 4th Grade Overnight weeks run Monday - Friday, beginning the week immediately following the workshop. Fall runs for 6-7 weeks and spring runs for 7-10 weeks. Please arrive at the workshop with a good sense of your personal schedule including exams, sports events, performances, family commitments, etc. Once you have been assigned to a week, it can be difficult to switch.
​
If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact us!​
[email protected]
(503) 257-1600, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., or leave a message evenings or weekends.

We are looking forward to seeing you at Outdoor School!

Typical Workshop Schedule (may vary by site)

Friday after school    — ​
Catch the school bus from your high school to the MESD.
At the MESD    — ​
Check in at your site table, and board a school bus to your site.
At your site    — ​
Check in again, and receive your cabin assignment for the night.
Dinner    — ​
Buffet style; meet the staff and other prospective Student Leaders, hear announcements, and learn about the available field studies.
Field Study Choice    — ​
Fill out a card with your preferences of field studies and weeks you are available to serve as a Student Leader.
Evening Segments    — ​
Learn how to work with students in cabins, at meals, in social settings, and accomplishing tasks as large and small groups.
Snack and Campfire    — ​
Many students' favorite part of Outdoor School is the campfire program.
Saturday Morning    — ​
Move out of your cabin and store your luggage in a centralized location; learn your field study assignment.
Breakfast    — ​
Family style Outdoor School dining and announcements.
AM Field Study    — ​
Learn teaching techniques and how to manage students in an academic setting.
Lunch   — ​
Family style Outdoor School dining and announcements.
Cabin Time    — ​
Learn how to build a positive community within a cabin group of students.
PM Field Study    — ​
Learn the science or history content you will be teaching to students.
Final announcements    — ​
Confirm your availability schedule and your desire to be a Student Leader (it's OK to decide that you don't want to be a Student Leader at this point). Load your luggage and ride the school bus back to the MESD.
At the MESD    — ​
Catch the school bus to your high school. Buses typically arrive back at area high schools around 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
Next week    — ​
Visit your high school counseling office to pick up your packet and learn your week assignment.