Ahh...the Dirty Classroom. No sweeping or dusting necessary. Here you'll find our own effort at helping outdoor educators become better teachers. From the inspiration of our Blogs to the structure of our Lesson Plans to the pure visual fun of our Videos, we're doing our part at making the Dirty Classroom good, clean fun.

 

Nature Guide

 

Here's an old fashioned, printable field guide full of all the animals, plants, rocks and things you might find in our neck of the woods.

 

 

 

Adventure Course

Lesson Plan

Overview:

The Adventure Course takes students along a short hike through the woods loaded with obstacles and challenges.  There is one way through to the end of the path.  The only way to get there is to talk to each other, utilize everyone’s strengths, and work like a team.  This is a low ropes course with a goal; can the entire team make it all the way through?

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Establish and experience an atmosphere that makes use of trust, support, encouragement, communication, emotional safety, and challenge by choice through group goal initiatives.
2. Demonstrate safe and proper use of adventure course equipment and elements.
3. Participate and successfully complete unique problem solving initiatives using mental, emotional, and physical resources of the group.
4. Process and share what they saw, thought, felt, and learned during the initiatives.
5. Transfer and apply new knowledge to actual situations at camp, home, school, or the next initiative.

Archery

Lesson Plan

Overview:

The invention of the bow and arrow played an invaluable role in the progression and growth of the human race.  Students will not only learn the importance of archery, but they will also learn basic safety and shooting techniques and get to practice firsthand on our range.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Describe the history of the bow including native and modern hunters.
2. Summarize the interdependence between native hunting, modern hunting, and our communities.
3. List the major parts of the modern recurve bow and arrow.
4. Explain the safety precautions taken while inside the archery range.
5. Demonstrate the proper techniques for shooting. 

 

 

Astronomy

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

Always fascinating, always perplexing, and truly overwhelming, the night sky offers endless discoveries to those wanting to learn and explore. Students will discover the evening sky by gazing through our telescope and learn more about the systems that organize our solar system and beyond!

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Identify a diversity of stars, planets, constellations, and asterisms.
2. Describe the relationship between our planet and the solar system.

Climbing

Lesson Plan

Overview:

Fear. Limits. Safety. Challenge. Rewards. Relief. Memories. A million words can describe our Climbing Wall, which puts students 30 feet up into the air, powered solely by your own effort and determination. The experience is entirely safe and supportive. Afterwards students will discuss the difference between actual and perceived risk, and how it felt before, during, and after their experience.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Establish and experience an atmosphere that makes use of trust, support, encouragement, communication, emotional safety, and challenge by choice.
2. Demonstrate safe and proper use of high ropes equipment and elements.
3. Participate and successfully complete unique climbing elements using the mental, emotional, and physical resources of the group and self.
4. Process and share what they saw, thought, felt, and learned during the initiative.
5. Transfer and apply new knowledge to actual situations at camp, home, and school.

 

Earthworks

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

Mountains, valleys, volcanoes, and beaches.  Students become budding geologists as they study weathering, minerals, the wonders of rocks and the very dirt beneath our feet.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Describe the geologic cycle as it relates to the slow structuring and shaping of the earth.
2. Identify a diversity of elements, minerals, and rocks.
3. Describe the interrelationship wildlife and humans have with the occurring geologic events.

 

 

Environmental Awareness

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

Tree huggers! Earth muffins! Each and every one of us plays an important role in the long-term health and survival of our race and planet. This class will give students a clear understanding of our environment, the challenges we face, and what we can do about it. Conservation is cool...

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to:
2. Identify a diversity of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
3. Identify the natural origins of common objects
   Determine energy sources.
4. Summarize the interrelationship between natural resources and our communities.
5. Give examples of environmentally responsible choices related to conservation and natural resource utilization

 

Feathered Friends

Lesson Plan    background information    Bird Calls

Overview:

If only we could all jump into the air and soar off like  our birds, our feathered friends. In this class students will open their eyes in wonder as they explore the natural world of birds. They will investigate first hand the homes and habitats of small birds, hawks, eagles, and owls native to the San Bernardino Mountains.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. List biotic and abiotic factors that birds need in order to survive.
2. Identify a diversity of local birds and their adaptations.
3. Describe the interdependence birds have within an ecosystem.
4. Summarize the interrelationship between birds and our communities.
5. Give examples of environmentally responsible choices related to birds.

Furry Friends

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

One of the most unique characteristics of mammals is fur. Students will explore a diversity of mammals through exploration and active, experiential games. They will learn about the food chain and food web, how to spot the home of an animal, and the relationship mammals have with the rest of the forest community.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. List biotic and abiotic factors that birds need in order to survive.
2. Identify a diversity of local birds and their adaptations.
3. Describe the interdependence birds have within an ecosystem.
4. Summarize the interrelationship between birds and our communities.
5. Give examples of environmentally responsible choices related to birds.

 

Line Dancing

Lesson Plan

Overview:

After a busy day in the field learning science classes, students get the chance to cut loose and dance!  Whether you’ve brought your cowboy hat or not, the music will start you moving and the rhythm will carry you away.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Learn three simple and easy dances in a safe environment.
2. View adults (their instructors and teachers) taking a risk and being silly.

 

Little World

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

When was the last time you actually sought out those little creatures all around us? We generally spend much of our time trying to scoot these creepy crawly things away. But insects, arachnids, and decomposers like fungi and bacteria serve a valuable purpose in the world. This class will allow students the opportunity to learn about the little world of insects and other decomposers. They will search everywhere to see firsthand what these little creatures look like and what they actually do with all of their time.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Define the niche of decomposers within an ecosystem.
2. List four types of decomposers.
3. Describe adaptations of common decomposers.
4. Give examples of environmentally responsible choices related to decomposers.

 

Native Culture

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

Students learn which local plants to steep in a glass of tea, and which leaves make a natural toothbrush.  As students discover how Serranos utilized the local forest for survival, they will hear Serrano legends around a campfire they helped to build with a bow drill fire set! 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Explain the effect of disease on the local Serrano population.
2. Identify local edible plants and describe their uses.
3. Build, ignite and bank a fire safely.
4. Describe the Serrano culture in terms of artifacts, ecofacts and oral tradition known to archeologists.

 

Nocturnal Nation

Lesson Plan

Overview:

Nocturnal animals area a fascinating topic for everyone! Students will learn about the adaptations of nighttime creatures and compare them to the senses we possess as humans. To finish off the presentation, students explore the nighttime environment hands on. Utilizing the knowledge learned during the indoor class, the will explore the nocturnal world in search of owls and other nighttime creatures. This is a chance for your students to understand, appreciate, and feel comfortable in an environment that we traditionally shay away from.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Identify local nocturnal animals and their adaptations.
2. Describe the relationships nocturnal animals have with the ecosystem.
3. Give examples of environmentally responsible choices related to nocturnal animals.

 

Orienteering

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

Being in the wilderness means not only knowing about the animals and plants, but knowing how to find your way around as well. Map and compass skills will be learned as students challenge themselves to complete a designated orienteering course.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. List the major parts of the compass and topographic map.
2. Identify the four cardinal directions on a compass.
3. Orient a topographic map.
4. Demonstrate the proper use of map and compass to navigate forest terrain.

 

outdoor Survival hike

Lesson Plan

Overview:

You’re on a beautiful hike and the unexpected happens. Are you prepared? Though we can never predict what will happen when we venture off into the wilderness on a hike, we can learn skills that will help us cope if anything ever does happen. The focus of this class is on wilderness survival, but the skills are universal and can be tied to surviving a natural disaster such as an earthquake. Class begins with a comprehensive look at minimum impact hiking, how to hike, and what to carry while hiking.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. List ways to prepare for a hike and avoid survival situations.
2. Give examples of environmentally responsible choices related to hiking.
3. Identify a survival situation that could happen while hiking in the wilderness, at home, or both.
4. Develop and demonstrate methods for sustaining basic human needs.

 

Plant Detectives

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

Students will explore the fascinating world of plants and trees while learning about photosynthesis in a whole new way. The forest offers many opportunities to learn about the diversity and significance of plants and trees. Students will understand how important producers are to the earth and that through various connections; we are all dependent on plants to live.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. List biotic and abiotic factors producers need in order to survive.
2. Identify a diversity of local producers and their adaptations.
3. Describe the interdependence producers have within their ecosystem.
4. Summarize the interrelationship between producers and our communities.
5. Give examples of environmentally friendly choices related to producers.

 

Snakes

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

It's hard to imagine living with no hands and no legs until you really get to know the snake and the wonderful adaptations they have developed. Students will get the  chance to learn about, and handle in person, several different friendly and live snake specimens.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Describe snake adaptations.
2. Summarize the interdependence between snakes and other organisms in the ecosystem.
3. List the major parts of snakes.
4. Demonstrate the proper techniques for touching snakes.

 

Summits

Lesson Plan

Overview:

A stay at camp would not be complete without a visit from the Lorax.  This “wrap-up” class encourages responsible choices students can incorporate into their own lives.  It’s also an opportunity for campers to review the good times, new friends, and memories they have from High Trails!

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Evaluate their week and make  connections between High Trails and home.
2. Debrief the week with their group.
3. Take a final look at how their choices can affect the planet.

 

 

 

Team Discovery Hike

Lesson Plan

Overview:

Designed to acclimate students to their new environment. Through carefully planned activities, students will discover each other, their environment, and the importance of working as a team throughout the week. An excellent way to begin the camp experience, the Team Discovery Hike sets the foundation for a week of community, trust, nature, and exploration.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Establish a curiosity for discovery of self, group, environment, and surroundings.
2. Discover their new surroundings by locating camp on a California map and learning about local history.
3. Discover their new outdoor environment through planned sensory and natural history activities.
4. Discover their new field group through Name Games, Ice-Breakers, and Team Initiatives.

 

Tribes

Lesson Plan

Overview:

Tribes is a time where group bonding and sharing is paramount.  It is a safe environment for students to open up to a group and learn about each other.  Tribes is facilitated in a way that ensures that everyone is within their comfort zone and able to participate in anyway that suits them. Four guidelines for Tribes include (1) right to pass, (2) appropriate conversation topics, (3) no gossiping, (4) what happens in Tribes stays in Tribes!

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Be more accepting of their peers.
2. Identify commonalities of people in their group.
3. Form new positive social relationships.

 

Water

Lesson Plan    background information

Overview:

Water is the major ingredient of not only our bodies, but the earth as well. Every living thing in the world depends on it to survive. Discovering what lives in it as well as on it and around it, students will develop a practical understanding of water’s importance to a healthy and well-balanced world.

 

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

1. Explain the water cycle and its components.
2. Identify origins of water for Southern California.
3. Describe different types of pollution affecting the water supply.
4. Give examples of environmentally responsible choices related water.