Outdoor Education Curricula and Activities – Camp Fire Central Puget Sound

Our curriculum is designed for elementary school students but potentially can be adapted for older students with confirmation from the Outdoor Education and Retreats Director.

Forest Ecology

Students explore the cycles and systems of forests in the Pacific Northwest. Activities illustrate the diversity and interdependence of elements including soil, water, habitat, wildlife, and vegetation as well as showcase native Pacific Northwest plants.

Wildlife Ecology

Students learn about different kinds of wildlife that live in the Pacific Northwest and what their role is in their ecosystem. Activities involve learning about food webs, adaptations, population dynamics, and animal tracking using footprints and scat.

Wetlands Ecology

Students explore the diversity and dynamics of a wetland site. This class focuses on the interdependence of elements found in a wetland habitat. Build a watershed, identify wetland indicators, do stream studies, and discuss the role of wetlands in bird migrations and habitat.

Marine Ecology

The cold marine waters of Puget Sound and the Washington Coast are some of the most productive in the world. Study the intricacies of an aquatic environment and how they might compare to life and systems on land. Students examine intertidal invertebrates on the beach at low tide, collect and examine plankton, and learn about moon phases and tidal zones.

Nutrient and Energy Cycling

Forests would not be able to function without hard-working decomposers returning nutrients to the soil. Using both our camp garden and the forest as examples, students learn about plant growth, decomposition, and soil ecology. Activities may include exploring and working in the garden, plant biology, decomposer scavenger hunts, and helping maintain our worm bin.

Astronomy

Our Star Lab is a great place for students to start their exploration of the universe including activities involving our solar system, constellations, moon phases, and tides. Students will also hear stories behind the constellations from around the world.

Initiatives

Students participate in field game-style teambuilding activities and challenges that can help them get to know each other better as well as introduce them to basic teambuilding and leadership skills.

Low Ropes Course

The low ropes course is a tool for continued team-building, individual confidence building, and fostering good communication in a group of people (usually done after completing initiatives). Facilitators balance fun, teamwork, and learning through a series of physical and mental activities.

Bouldering Wall

Students climb horizontally around our former water tower using climbing holds with the help of fellow students spotting them. Spotting not only keeps students safe but provides an opportunity to practice their communication and teamwork skills learned while participating in Initiatives and the Low Ropes Course.