Experiential Education

Field Outings

Field outings are central to our educational program. They provide a critical link  between our curriculum and resources throughout the region. Students and faculty take numerous one-day to multi-day urban and outdoor field outings during the school year.  Additionally, students participate in frequent service learning activities.  A high percentage of these field outings and service projects are outdoor-related.

When we make the world our classroom, we encounter factors outside our control. When we take students outside the walls of our school, they learn so much about themselves, working in a group, and the world around them. Students must be prepared for a flexible schedule and changing conditions. They learn to plan ahead for all contingencies and how to deal with logistical challenges. They discover the value of self-reliance and their contribution to group dynamics. Out of their usual element, they have opportunities for self-reflection that the natural world provides.

"For me, the field outings are definitely a highlight of attending Explorations Academy; not only because they get us out from underneath our desks, but because they ignite humbling and fascinating experiences. The outings provide meaningful opportunities to find my truth, and to discover and establish my values." - student

Explorations Academy generally provides all transportation and group camping gear. Field outings are often several days long. Study materials including field guides, hand lenses, and tools used in academic field research will also be supplied.  Students are required to bring their own outdoor gear into the field. We provide an equipment list and students must own or have access to all the items on that list. A trip requires specialized equipment, but we notify students in a timely manner about these needs. Students are also responsible for their own school supplies in the field  and for personal items.

Service Learning

Our curriculum places significant emphasis upon learning about stewardship, ecological literacy and principles of sustainability.  Students spend significant time actively contributing to the health and sustainability of the local community through frequent service learning projects and involvement with other local non-profit organizations focusing on salmon habitat restoration, self-reliance, and farming for those in need, to name a few. We embrace leading-edge programs like Smart Trips, Toward Zero Waste, Watershed Pledge and Green Power.

Further, Explorations Academy faculty plan and implement month-long international expeditions each year to places as diverse as Indonesia, Peru, Ireland, Cuba, India and Kenya. These trips focus include an academic curriculum, typically incorporating sustainability and ecological awareness, while featuring a service project component to address pressing needs in the host country. All students from Explorations Academy take part in at least one international expedition prior to graduation. (See International Expeditions)