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Outdoor Classroom

for homeschooling families

Every year more parents choose to school their children at home. It can be a daunting task.

That's where the Outdoor Classroom comes in.

Homeschooling families generally have little difficulty covering the core subjects (reading, math, language arts), but sometimes they can use a little help with other parts of the curriculum (science, history, geography and fine arts).

Camp Trinity introduced the Outdoor Classroom in fall 2020 to assist homeschooling families with disciplines outside the core curriculum. The Outdoor Classroom has included sessions on wildlife flora and fauna, history, wilderness survival, physical and cultural geography, mountain music, sculpture, drawing, photography, archeology, botany, engineering, and orienteering. Classes are taught by Camp Trinity staff and guest presenters.

Guest speakers have included Petit Jean State Park interpreters, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission officers, University of Arkansas Extension agents, zookeepers, cowboys, master gardeners, law enforcement officers, helicopter pilots, firefighters, EMTs, historians, professional musicians and artists, zoologists and exotic animal keepers, as well as archeologist sand veterinarians.

Families can choose when to participate and pay just for the classes they attend or they can sign up for the entire 10-week semester at a steep discount (prices below). Those who sign up for the semester are not required to attend every session but can attend only the classes of most interest.

The sessions are for children 6-14. Depending on the subject, participants may be divided into groups by age.

The fall schedule dates are below, with details to be added later. Classes are subject to change as scheduling conflicts arise for guest speakers:

Sept. 18 & 19: MAGNIFICENT MAMMALS

A wildlife officer with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission will teach all about mammals native to Arkansas.

Sept. 25 & 26: O CANADA

Homeschooling mom Courtney Kuiper will teach about the customs and culture of the country of her origin, America's neighbor to the north.

Oct. 2 & 3: EMERGENCY!

Emergency service personnel — paramedics, EMTs, police officers, firefighters — will talk about their work. Learn how these brave men and women risk their lives to keep civilians safe.

Oct. 9 & 10: CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

This field trip to the Arkansas State Capitol and Clinton Presidential Library and Museum coincides with the upcoming election. Students will learn about the role (and limits) of civic engagement.

Oct. 16 & 17: PAINTING ON PETIT JEAN

Artist Julia Pointer will teach students to paint mountain-scapes using natural materials.

Oct. 23 & 24: TAKING FLIGHT

Retired Naval pilot Craig Henderson will land his plane at Petit Jean Airport, then take us through his military journey, from F18s to his current small aircraft.

Oct. 30 & 31: FALL FESTIVAL

This session will feature a hay rides, pumpkin carving, costumes, s'mores and more.

Nov. 6 & 7: ARCHEOLOGY

The class will join archeologist Dr. Emily Beahm at the WRI Archeology Research Station to learn about an ancient civilization on and around the mountain.

Nov. 13 & 14: AMERICAN BATTLES

Students will learn about great battles of American wars as the kids go from the classroom to the battlefield for re-enactments. Battling will be involved.

Nov. 20 & 21: OUTDOOR COOKING

Petit Jean State Park interpreter Jake Curry will teach campfire culinary arts as we sample dishes prepared outdoors on outdoor cookware.

SESSION PREPARATION

Homeschooling families as well as students from school classrooms attending will need to bring their own lunches and water bottles. Children should wear sturdy shoes and clothes they can get dirty. They may also need raincoats, binoculars, flashlights, gloves or compasses, depending on the session and weather. Families may also need to bring facemarks for use off-site.

FEES

The cost for a single session is $40 for the first child from each family, $18 for each additional child from the same family.

The cost for the entire semester is $200 for the first child from each family (half price), $90 for each additional child from the same family (half price).

No one will be turned away because of finances. Financial assistance is available to any who need it. To request financial aid simply email the camp office: director@lutherancamp.org

STAY A LITTLE LONGER

Families are invited to stay overnight in cabins, tents or RVs and enjoy other activities at Camp Trinity: fishing, disc golf, gaga ball, sand volleyball, foosball, cornhole, horseshoes, campfires and board games. Lodging fees are modest. Check out the Facilities page under the ABOUT pull-down menu at the top of the page for options and pricing for lodging.

PLEASE NOTE: BOTH THE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FULL-SEMESTER SESSIONS OF THE FALL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM ARE FULL. PARENTS CAN REGISTER CHILDREN FOR INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS STARTING WITH THE OCT. 2 or 3 CLASS.