Increasing the Utilization of the Reedsburg School District's Outdoor Education Sites Through the Implementation of Inservice Programs and Resource Files

Abstract

It has become more and more obvious that many children are missing out on the opportunity of experiencing the simple joys of the outdoors. In an effort to expose students of the Reedsburg School District to the wonders of the outdoors, efforts were made to encourage the use of outdoor education sites within the district. Beginning in the autumn of 1995, teachers in the Reedsburg School District were surveyed regarding their use of and thoughts related to using the district's outdoor learning sites. They were then given the opportunity to participate in inservices / workshops that focused on curriculum for use at the outdoor learning sites, and provided vouchers for transportation of classes to the sites. A follow-up survey was performed in the winter of 1997-98. The data gathered, suggested that the workshops and vouchers were very worthwhile. Faculty and staff indicated that the information provided to them was applicable to curriculum, and the vouchers solved much of the problem related to transportation costs within the district. In the fall of 1998, the district will be faced with additional challenges in terms of funding workshops and transportation. However, an interest in using the main outdoor learning center has been created, both within the school district, and in the community. It is hoped that through continued encouragement, newsletters, etc. that interest will be maintained, and the problem of costs will be overcome.