Outdoor Education | The Buckley School

The photos above were taken on the last outdoor education trip in the fall of 2019. We're so excited to update these photos following the conclusion of our spring 2022 outdoor education trips, so please check back soon!

About Outdoor Education

Outdoor education is an important part of Buckley student life. Each off-campus experience is designed to align with topics students encounter in their academic programs. During these trips, students learn about the environment and how human beings benefit from and affect it. They also build leadership and teamwork skills, learn to value their community, and form and deepen their friendships.

Each trip includes a variety of activities and educational experiences. Experienced counselors and teachers facilitate learning about the natural world and encourage critical thought and informed action towards responsible and sustainable living. As with all good teaching, our outdoor education trips are designed to inspire curiosity about and appreciation for each unique environment.

Lower School

The Lower School curriculum includes several field trips throughout the year in each grade. Students travel via a chartered bus with their teachers and additional chaperones to the following destinations:

Kindergarten: Farm, Community Walk, Nine O’Clock Players (Children’s Theatre) and Zimmer Museum
First Grade: LACMA and Griffith Observatory
Second Grade: Aquarium of the Pacific, Shanghai Circus, IMAX/Science Center
Third Grade: Community Service to Retirement Home, Thomas Payne Foundation, Wishtoyo Chumash Village, Autry Museum of the American West
Fourth Grade: La Purisima Mission, San Diego trip (2 nights away)
Fifth Grade: Pali Institute (2 nights away), Whale Watching and Marine Biology Lab, Beach trip

Middle/Upper School

We are so thrilled to bring back our Outdoor Education program in the 21-22 school year! Due to the uncertainties of COVID-19, and the need to plan in advance, we moved our Middle and Upper School programs to March 2022, right before spring break. All outdoor education programs for students in grades 6-12 will leave campus on Wednesday, March 16 and return to campus on Friday, March 18. Trip locations include:

Grade 6 – Camp Ramah, Ojai
Grade 7 – El Capitan Canyon, Santa Barbara
Grade 8 – Cedar Lake, Big Bear
Grade 9 – Joshua Tree National Park
Grade 10 – Day Service Trips
Grade 11 – Mountain River Camp Ground, Kern River
Grade 12 – Canyon Creek, Lake Hughes

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