Media Coverage
2026
2025
Lake Oswego School Board Addresses Outdoor School Funding Shortfall (Lake Oswego Review, September 9, 2025)
Budget cuts could shorten Oregon’s Outdoor School (KPTV, August 26, 2025)
Outdoor School faces major budget cut despite public support (KDRV, June 2, 2025)
2024
Sixth Graders Dive into Nature at Annual Outdoor School Event (The New Era Newspaper Co, June 4, 2024)
Oregon’s Century-Old Camp Namanu Gets Historic Designation (Portland Monthly, April 1, 2024)
Oregon Tech Environmental Sciences and Klamath Outdoor Science School to collaborate in environmental education (Oregon Tech, March 20, 2024)
90 years of legacy at Camp Tamarack: Winter Sageland 2024 (The Madras Pioneer, January 31, 2024)
2023
Outdoor School is in Session in Hermiston (Elkhorn Media Group, September 20th, 2023)
HSD announces 5th grade Outdoor School schedule (Hermiston Herald, September 13, 2023)
After more than 10 years, the class of 2025 starts final climb to graduation (OPB, September 12, 2023)
Learning to let go: what being an Outdoor School mentor taught me (The Oregonian, July 24, 2023)
Natural education: Klamath Outdoor Science School takes learning outdoors (Herald & News, June 2, 2023)
Students from Baker High School join Outdoor School (Baker City Herald, May 28, 2023)
Outdoor School at Camp Elkanah offers students the chance to see nature up close (The Observer, May 28, 2023)
Pendleton School District shifts Outdoor School to fifth grade (East Oregonian, May 15, 2023)
Making it Work for More Oregon Students (Oregon Lottery, 2023)
Canceled by COVID, district activities are coming back (Columbia Gorge News, March 15, 2023)
2022
McCall Toasts 100,000th (MCESD Newsletter, Winter 1983)
SMS goes back to nature (Siuslaw News, June 4, 2022)
Outdoor School celebrates 50+ years (Eastern Oregonian, June 1, 2022)
Sixth Graders Take Their Learning Outdoors (Baker City Herald, May 22, 2022)
Inside the Program that Sends Thousands of Middle Schoolers into the Woods (Hipcamp, May 20, 2022)
Gray Family Foundation announces a $1 million dollar grant
No Child Left Inside Press Release (Congressman John Sarbanes, April 7, 2022)
WA House bill would expand outdoor education statewide (The Seattle Times, February 14, 2022)
2021
Outdoor School Receives $25,000 Grant (Herald and News, February 27, 2021)
Oregon Outdoor Alliance Member News (February 26, 2021)
2020
“Outdoor School another casualty of COVID-19” (The Outlook, December 29, 2020)
“Website offers lessons for Oregon students who missed out on Outdoor School this year” (KATU, April 15, 2020)
“Tadmor Hosts Outdoor School Organizers Looking to Beef Up Programs” (Lebanon Local, February 18, 2020)
2019
“Oregon’s Outdoor School numbers on the rise” (KTVZ, December 22, 2019)
“Planting the Seeds of Change” (Grant Magazine, December 2, 2019)
“Outdoor School has lasting impact for J.C. fifth graders” (The Madras Pioneer, October 16, 2019)
2018
“Class of 2025: More Money + More Days = more impact at Outdoor School” ( OPB, November 1, 2018)
"Life lessons: Outdoor School opportunities expand with funding" (Corvallis Gazette-Times, March 25, 2018)
"Coos Bay School District to use Camp Gray for outdoor education" (The World, January 11, 2018)
"Outdoor School Gets A Boost" (Baker City Herald, January 8, 2018)
2017
"At the end of a difficult year: Editorial" (The Oregonian, December 31, 2007)
"Outdoor School begins funding notifications for 2017-18 school year" (ktvz.com, December 21, 2017)
"New outdoor school funding program has high participation in first year" (Corvallis Gazette-Times, December 11, 2017)
"Oregon’s new outdoor school guru" (Corvallis Gazette-Times, October 25, 2017)
"Back to School: An Update on State Education Initiatives" (City Club's Friday Forum, September 22, 2017)
"Oregon Legislative 'Busy Work'" (Weekly Source, June 14, 2017)
2016
Outdoor School Sees Biggest Budget Cut in Years (Voices of Roosevelt, February 12, 2026)
Southern Oregon Outdoor School Seeks Restored Funding (KDRV, February 10, 2026)
"Summer Camps in Portland Cope with Extreme Heat" (KOIN 6, August 2, 2017)
"Oregon Governor's Budget Proposes Ways To Fill $1.7 Billion Shortfall" (OPB, December 1, 2016)
"Many local kids already go to outdoor school" (Bend Bulletin, November 29, 2016)
"Should all children get an outdoor education?" (Tween Times, November 18, 2016)
"Police facility; where do we go from here?" (Statesman Journal, November 12, 2016)
"Our View: Oregon voters chose carefully this election" (Mail Tribune, November 10, 2016)
(Change to come for Klamath County District Schools" (Herald and News, November 10, 2016)
"Measure 99 passes, dedicates funding for Oregon outdoor school" (KPIC Roseburg, November 10, 2016)
"Measure 99: Should lottery revenues fund Outdoor School for all Oregon kids?" (KVAL, approx. Oct. 6, 2016)
"Oregon Ballot Measures: Measure 98, 99 pass" (OregonianLive, November 10, 2016)
"Voters, corporations await Measure 97's outcome" (News Channel 21, November 9, 2016)
"Measure 99 passes, dedicates funding for Oregon outdoor school" (KATU.com, November 9, 2016)
"Voters guarantee public school kids a week in the woods" (Hechinger Report, November 5, 2016)
"Measure 99 an economical, equitable and effective way to support education" (Statesman Journal, November 4, 2016)
"Letter: Vote to support Measure 99" (Gazette Times, November 4, 2016)
"Oregon weighs whether all kids should get outdoor education" (San Francisco Herald, October 26, 2016)
"Oregon decides on whether to fund an outdoor school program" (Fox News, October 26, 2016)
"The Portland Mercury Endorsement: Yes on Measure 99 (Outdoor Education Fund)" (Portland Mercury, October 21, 2016)
"Downtown Portland Sculptures Boast “Yes on 99” Wood Cookies: Clever supporter uses Outdoor School tradition to promote Measure 99" (Willamette Week, October 19, 2016)
Letters in the editor's mailbag: "Measure 99 opens kids to outdoors" (The Register-Guard, October 14, 2016)
"Guest Opinion: Save Outdoor School for All" (Mail Tribune, October 14, 2016)
"KATU Rootopia on Outdoor School" (KATU.com, October 13, 2016)
"Vote yes on Oregon Measure 99 to help fund Outdoor School (Letters to the Editor)" (The Oregonian, October 13, 2016)
"Endorsements: State Senate District 27 & Measure 99 " (Bend Source Weekly, October 12, 2016)
"WW’s Fall 2016 Endorsements: State Measures" (Willamette Week, October 12, 2016)
"Nature is in Our Blood" (Columbia Land Trust, October 10, 2016)
"MY VOICE: Measure means opportunities" (The Observer, October 7, 2016)
"Outdoor school praised, funding questioned in ballot measure debate" (Bend Bulletin, September 25, 2016)
"A Wild Lesson" (Baker City Herald, September 23, 2016)
"Outdoor School Looks for Lottery Funds" (Eugene Weekly, September 21, 2016)
"Our view: We’ve got 99 problems but this measure ain’t one" (East Oregonian, September 21, 2016)
"Local Businesses Embrace Yes On 99 For Education, Economic And Community Benefits" (MyCentralOregon.com, September 12, 2016)
"The great outdoors at French Creek Outdoor School" (The Siskiyou Daily News, August 19, 2016)
"Save Outdoor Schools For All Garners Gov. Kate Brown’s Support – Generates Natl. Buzz" (MyCentralOregon.com, approx. August 13, 2016)
"Save Outdoor Schools For All Garners Gov. Kate Brown’s Support – Generates Natl. Buzz" (MyCentralOregon.com, August 11, 2016)
"Oregon considers outdoor school for all" (Education Dive, August 8, 2016)
"Nature-friendly buildings to help teach kids at Outdoor School" (Herald and News, August 7, 2016)
"Letter: Outdoor School measure makes sense" (Corvallis Gazette-Times, August 7, 2016)
"Oregon voters to decide on seven Nov. ballot measures" (KTVZ.com, August 6, 2016)
"Oregon asks, What if camp were part of school?" (Christian Science Monitor & Hechinger Report, August 6, 2016)
"Outdoor school initiative qualifies for ballot" (Corvallis Gazette-Times, July 27, 2016)
"Outdoor school funding measure qualifies for November ballot" (OregonLive, July 25, 2016)
"Outdoor School Initiative Qualifies For Oregon Ballot" (OPB News, July 22, 2016)
"Voters to Decide on 'Outdoor School for All' Campaign" (Hillsboro Tribune, July 15, 2016)
"Things To Know: Proposals headed for November ballot in Oregon" (KGW.com, July 12, 2016)
"Editorial: New mandates would make claims on budget" (Bend Bulletin, July 5, 2016)
"Outdoor school proposal gains enough signatures for ballot" (The Spokesman Review, July 4, 2016)
"Outdoor school proposal gains enough signatures for ballot" (Corvallis Gazette-Times, July 3, 2016)
"Outdoor school proposal gains enough signatures for ballot" (Hastings Tribune, July 3, 2016)
"Outdoor school proposal gains enough signatures for ballot" (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, July 3, 2016)
"Outdoor school proposal gains enough signatures for ballot" (Albany Democrat-Herald, July 3, 2016)
"Outdoor School measure likely to be on November ballot" (KGW.com, July 1, 2016)
"Group to save Outdoor School says it has enough signatures for November ballot" (KATU News, June 30, 2016)
"Outdoor School Initiative Could Make 3 Education Measures On Oregon Fall Ballot" (OPB, June 30, 2016)
"Outdoor school measure likely to be on November ballot" (Statesman-Journal, June 30, 2016)
"Oregonians should sign Outdoor School petition (OPINION)" (The Oregonian, June 7, 2016)
"Outdoor school grows" (Herald and News, June 3, 2016)
"Expanding the Classroom: Students take in Outdoor School" (East Oregonian, May 5, 2016)
"Outdoor education benefits kids, state economy" (Register-Guard, April 30, 2016)
"2016 Initiative Petitions Tackle K-12 Education" (Eugene Weekly, April 21, 2016)
"Kaiser, Nike and other outdoor school proponents prepare for funding push" (Portland Business Journal, April 18, 2016)
"Group wants to expand outdoor school" (The Register Guard, April 10, 2016)
"Group gathers signatures to expand Oregon outdoor school" (Mail Tribune, April 5, 2016)
"Group gathering signatures to expand Oregon outdoor school" (Education Week, April 5, 2016)
"Outdoor School campaign plans Corvallis meeting" (Democrat Herald, April 4, 2016)
"Outdoor School boosts attendance" (Portland Tribune, March 17, 2016)
"School Notes: Outdoor School funding rally" (Portland Tribune, March 1, 2016)
"Outdoor School for All campaign aims to secure state funding" (Central Oregonian, February 24, 2016)
"Outdoor School Supporters Seek Dedicated Lottery Funds" (Willamette Week, February 24, 2016)
"Group works to stem Outdoor School budget cuts, expand program" (KATU, February 22, 2016)
2015
"Outdoor School funding initiative pre-qualifies for ballot" (East Oregonian, December 10, 2015)
"Locals work to fund statewide outdoor school" (Bend Bulletin, October 24, 2015)
"Breaking the mold at Outdoor School" (Portland Tribune, October 20, 2015)
"Meeting to Discuss Outdoor School" (Albany Democrat-Herald, October 17, 2015)
"Coalition forms Outdoor School for All PAC" (East Oregonian, October 16, 2015)
"Lessons from the land" (The Source Weekly (Bend), October 14, 2017)
"Outdoor School benefit serves up support" (Albany Democrat-Herald, September 29, 2015)
"Outdoor School benefit set" (Albany Democrat-Herald, September 28, 2015)
"Outdoor School funding may appear on the ballot" (Portland Tribune, September 25, 2015)
"Lawmakers pass statewide Outdoor School" (East Oregonian, July 14)
Letter, Charlie Anderson and Lori Meadows: Save Oregon's Outdoor, Science Education (The Bulletin, June 28, 2015)
Guest opinion, Judge Gary Thompson and Susan Brown: "Outdoor School: An Investment in Rural Oregon" (Argus Observer, June 28, 2015)
Guest Opinion, Bill Hunt: “State should provide Outdoor School for all” (Mail Tribune, June 23, 2015)
“Parents, teachers rally behind outdoor education” (East Oregonian, June 17, 2015)
“Portland schools $575 million general fund budget adding staff and more heads to adoption vote" (Oregonlive.com, June 17, 2015)
Letter to the Editor, Tom Potter: My View: Outdoor School: A legacy worth saving” (Portland Tribune, June 16, 2015)
"Recent report shows outdoor education means big business” (Hood River News, June 16, 2015)
Letter to the Editor, Chuck Sams: “Outdoor school a life-changing experience” (East Oregonian, June 12, 2015)
Video: Portland actor Vin Shambry tells the story how Outdoor School changed his life (The Moth Seattle Mainstage, June 2, 2015)
"Reasons Why You Should Give a Darn About Public Health" (begins at 34:50; Rex Burkholder radio interview, Thank You Democracy show, XRAY.fm, June 3, 2015)
"Legislature Considers State Funds for Outdoor School Programs" (OPB, May 26, 2015)
"Outdoor Education OUT-of-Doors" (Jefferson Public Radio, Jefferson Exchange show, May 19, 2015)
"Coalition wants statewide funding for Outdoor School" (East Oregonian, May 14, 2015)
Letter to the Editor (Edie and Ted Jones, Nugget Newspaper, April 2015)
"Preserving Funding: Outdoor School is Priceless" (The Source Weekly, Bend, Apr 29. 2015)
"Advocates of ‘Outdoor School’ gather at Riley Creek" (Curry Country Reporter, Apr 29, 2015)
2014
"Outdoor School Backers Take the Campaign to the Road" (Portland Tribune, Dec. 23, 2014)
"Oldtimers Return to Outdoor School" (Portland Tribune, Nov. 13, 2014)
"Outdoor School: Three Days Not Enough for Children to be with Nature" (The Oregonian, Oct. 26, 2014)
Letter to Legislators for those who cannot attend Advocacy Day!
Pro Photo Supply's Community Profile video of Friends of Outdoor School and our annual Photo of the Year contest
2013
Outdoor School, an outdoor tradition (KATU news video produced by our friend Chelsea Sherier, May 3, 2013)
2012
Outdoor School (Oregon Field Guide, OPB, Nov. 5, 2012)
Dear PPS blog
Outdoor School is mentioned in the Portland Plan (April 25, 2012)
"The Secret Bonus of Outdoor School" (The Oregonian, May 6, 2012)
Larry Didway's letter to all Portland Metro superintendents
2011
Light a Fire 2011 (Portland Monthly, October 14, 2011)
"Help Save ODS" (Metro Parent, July 11, 2011)
"Grownups Should Follow Kids" (The Oregonian, July 12, 2011)
"Outdoor school teaches waste reduction to next generation" (Metro website, June 11, 2011)
"Preserving a Piece of Portland" (The Oregonian, Jun 11, 2011)
"Outdoor School Worth Saving" (Portland Tribune, May 26, 2011)
"Portland School Board Votes to Cut Teachers, Shorten Outdoor School" (The Oregonian, May 23, 2011)
"Save Outdoor School" (The Oregonian blog, May 21, 2011)
"SOS: Sustaining Outdoor School" (The Oregonian, April 25, 2011)