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The Alligator is my friend!
Hands-on education is the heart of our Outdoor School program. We offer both day and overnight programs that incorporate environmental education, team building, and retreat-type activities to over 6, 000 students per year.
Teambuilding
Teambuilding trips help promote bonding, cooperation, communication, group cohesion, and problem solving skills among students. Our teambuilding activities are designed to welcome inclusion without coercion, and see how team spirit can be naturally grown. With over 25 stations on our Group Challenge field, these activities can be adapted to be more or less challenging, depending on the group dynamics.
Environmental Activities and Lessons
Our goal is to provide lessons and activities that fit into your existing curriculum. Abstract classroom science concepts come to life when students are able to demonstrate their knowledge and apply it in their Outdoor School lessons! Your students will work collaboratively in new social settings, exploring different environments, and sharing new experiences with their peers. Students leave the program with a new sense of personal responsibility, independence and understanding of the natural world around them. This learning model supports the Next Generation Science Standards approach to student understanding of science concepts.
Some examples of lessons we offer to include:
- Pond, Wetland and Stream Study
- Animal Introductions
- Wilderness Survival
- Forest Succession / Interpretive Hike
- Animal Tracking
- Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture
Has your school booked a trip to College Settlement?
All the information you will need for your trip is in our Planning Guide. We have included Sample Schedules, Food Menus, Lesson Plans as well as a Suggested Packing List for overnight trips.
Testimonials
“I have experience with the Outdoor School both as a teacher who attends the trip, and as the mother of two children who have attended the trip. As a teacher, I find the trip to be deeply meaningful in its ability to allow students/staff to have hands on experiences and see each other “in a different light.” Every year, I am surprised at the aspects of students that we see while at camp that we didn’t see in the regular classroom. It also helps students bond with each other and to experience the benefits of nature. As a mother, both of my daughters felt passionate that their overnight experience was one of the most enjoyable and memorable of their middle school years.”– 5th Grade Teacher, Germantown Academy
“The work you are doing is fantastic. It allows for students who struggle in a traditional setting to shine in a different venue, interact with the environment, interact with counselors from different countries/cultures, and allows for some to disengage from the electronics they have come to rely on for entertainment.” – 4th Grade Science Teacher, The Shipley School
“I’ve been attending camp with my students for over 15 years and it is the single best experience that my students get during their elementary years. The bonding between classmates is one of the most obvious benefits. Every year, we see kids making friends with students from our partner school, which is extremely helpful as they move into the middle school. We also see kids reaching out to and interacting with their classmates in new and different ways every year. The staff-led activities are all excellent. The staff knows how to communicate with students in a way that is both educational and entertaining.” – 5th Grade Teacher, Crooked Billet Elementary
Day Trip Programs
Overnight Programs
Overnight Programs
Day Trip Programs are fast paced and jam-packed with activities. A typical day trip typically includes two hours at the team building course tackling small group challenges, a picnic lunch, then one or two environmental activity options such as visiting Pennypack Farm, shelter building, animal tracking, or meeting the camp critters at our environmental center. Most day trips are scheduled around bus availability. Students usually spend 9:30 am to 2:15 pm at our site. Some schools stay with us for extended day trips and enjoy dinner with us before heading home around 8:00 pm.
Overnight Programs
Overnight Programs
Overnight Programs
Overnight Programs (2-3 day) are an incredible, immersive, memory making experience! We offer two-day trips (spend one night at camp) or three-day trips (with 2 nights at camp). Overnight trips include a customized selection of activities that combines group challenges, environmental education, and incredible learning opportunities that capture those “intangibles” such as being away overnight with your best friends.
Interested in Summer Camp too?
Come Visit During Our Open House Events
Come Visit During Our Open House Events
We have some great programs during the summer, too! To learn more about our summer programs on our Day Camp or Overnight Camp page.
Come Visit During Our Open House Events
Come Visit During Our Open House Events
Come Visit During Our Open House Events
Come on over and see the camp for yourself — and learn more about all we offer. Open House days, Annual June Supper and Fun Day events can be found on our events page each year in the spring.