Outdoor Education Program The mission of the Beyond the Bell (BTB) Branch Outdoor Education Program is to provide active programs in environmental education and human relations that will develop a cooperative spirit, a positive self-esteem, and a sense of common responsibility for the future of life on Earth. Outdoor education is often referred to as an approach to a teaching/learning process rather than a separate discipline unto itself. The program is characterized by discovery, exploration and observation in an environment that is located away from the school. Each experience is correlated and integrated with the traditional school curriculum to enable the student to see the relationship between real life situations and the work in the classroom. The activity-based curriculum focuses on developing skills, attitudes, knowledge, and commitment concerning the wise use of natural resources and the protection and enhancement of the environment. Program objectives include: • Reinforce, in a hands-on way, the California State Science Standards being taught in the classroom. • Provide opportunities for students to use science processes and skills in investigation. • Implement learning experiences that increase student language development. • Provide activities and opportunities for students to develop personal and group values based on individual responsibility and ethical conduct. • Provide professional development to classroom teachers in the area of environmental education. Students will gain knowledge, skills and experiences in many curricular areas in addition to science. Learning opportunities will be provided that support the California State Standards and Frameworks for History/Social Science, English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Visual and Performing Arts, Health, and Physical Education. Classroom teachers accompany their students to the outdoor program. Teachers spend time preparing their students for lessons taught at the outdoor school, as well as provide follow-up opportunities for them after the week or weekend at the outdoor school. The Outdoor Education Coordinator provides direction, support and assistance. The staff at each Outdoor Education facility includes a director, an assistant director, naturalists, outdoor education assistants, maintenance and food services personnel. All staff is trained in Red Cross First Aid and CPR. A District rotation is used which allows elementary schools to send 80 selected fifth-grade students and their teacher every three to four years to participate in the weeklong program. Fifty to sixty middle and senior high school students attend on weekends. Students from 3rd through 12th grade may participate in one-day field trips. Annually, 8,000 upper elementary and secondary students at approximately 125 LAUSD schools participate in outdoor education experiences. Elementary students attending the five-day program pay only for food and extended overnight insurance. Secondary students attending the weekend program pay for food, transportation and insurance. Residential centers operate at two locations: Clear Creek Outdoor Education Center (year-round) in the Angeles National Forest and Point Fermin Outdoor Education Center (summer only) in San Pedro. Five-day certified residential programs for 5th grade students are conducted at both locations. Clear Creek also operates a two-day weekend program for middle school students and one-day excursions for 3rd-12th grade students. High school students serve as junior counselors at the outdoor education centers.		EN ESPAÑOL