Outdoor Education
Elementary
Upper Valley Christian School continues its long history of outdoor education for students at three different levels. The primary focus of outdoor education is to compliment student’s learning in the fields of science, geography, and history. These trips with hands on experiences compliment the book learning that occurs during the year.
At the third, fourth, and fifth grade level students camp overnight at a local campground where they learn about forests, animal life, and camping/survival skills.
middle school
At the sixth, seventh and eighth grade levels, students take one of three trips on a rotating basis so that in three years a student would be able to make each trip.
The first trip is to Whidbey Island where students explore life on Puget Sound. Day trips are made to tide pools, clam beds, and Deception Pass.
The second trip is to the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park. Students take guided and self-guided tours through the Rain Forest, a lumber mill, new forests, and the ocean beaches. The first two trips are for two to three nights.
The third trip is to Yellowstone National Park. This is a 10 day trip with historical and geological stops along the way. Students spend 6 days in Yellowstone exploring the park and taking guided tours. All three of the classes have a curriculum that has been developed over the years by UVCS staff.
High school
At the High School level, three major trips are scheduled every other year. The first trip is to the Washington DC area. This is a 10 to 14 day trip that includes stops in Yorktown, Williamsburg, Jamestown, Gettysburg, Mt. Vernon, and the greater Washington DC area.
The second trip takes in the Boston, New York, and Philadelphia areas. It also is a 10 to 14 day trip and covers much of the history of the area. Both trips require extensive research, planning and a daily log of activities for each student.
The third trip is to Mount Saint Helens where students camp together, visit the Ape Caves, and learn about the history of the volcanic landscape.
Besides the above trips, UVCS often takes shorter day trips in North Central Washington and the Seattle, Olympia, and Spokane areas. Some of those trips have included the Seattle Science Center, Pike’s Street Market, the Seattle Zoo, the Capital, the Planetarium at SFCC, local museums and flight museums, plus Safeco Field and the Mariners.
Fundraisers help absorb some of the costs of the longer trips. Some costs are usually accrued by students and parents. Parents and supporters of UVCS are welcome to join with us on any of these trips. Local day trips are typically covered by tuition.
