OUTDOOR EXPLORERS PROGRAM
Register for the 2024-25 school year today!
The Outdoor Explorers Program (OEP) combines place-based natural science with experiential learning and community-building. Our staff ensures your child grows in their knowledge of ecology while gaining skills in teamwork and outdoor activities. The program is conducted year-round (weather permitting) at Bluff Lake Nature Center in partnership with the Alpine International Preparatory Academy. A variety of activities, experiments, challenges, service projects, explorations, and just plain fun help our participants build nature knowledge, self-awareness, and skills outdoors.
This tuition-free program is designed to supplement your homeschool curriculum with social development, conceptual understandings of ecology, and practical applications of outdoor skills in our unique setting. We have age-appropriate options for grades K-5.
Each student enrolled will have the option to take two self-paced online classes in addition to the weekly Outdoor Explorers Program.
Register for the 2024-25 school year below!
Questions? contact us at mark@blufflake.org
2024-25 School Year Logistics
LOCATION:
Bluff Lake Nature Center (building by parking lot)
11255 E. MLK Jr. Blvd, Denver CO 80238
9:00am-3:00pm, Daily Drop-off & Pick-up
COST:
If your student is already enrolled in an options program, or if you would like to join part-way through the year there is a pro-rated cost of $3,200/year per student.
YEARLY SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:
34 Week Long Program from September 3rd, 2024 thru May 22nd, 2025
Fall Trimester September 3rd**-November 14th
**First Monday session will be held on Tuesday September 3rd due to Labor Day on the 2nd. (Classes that fall on Holiday Mondays will be held on the Tuesday immediately following them.)
Themes: Ecosystems & Team/Community Building
Winter Trimester November 18th – Feb. 28th
(Fall Break Nov. 25th-29th)
Themes: Adaptations, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Safety & Risk Management
(Winter Break Dec. 23rd - Jan. 3rd)
Spring Trimester Mar. 3rd - May 22nd
(Spring Break Mar. 24th - 28th)
Themes: Biodiversity, Leadership & Stewardship
AGES/DAYS OF THE WEEK:
Mondays: Kindergarten-1st
Wednesdays: 3rd-5th (WAITLIST ONLY)
Thursdays: 1st-3rd
STUDENT TO STAFF RATIO:
16 students per day along with 2 staff members
DAILY SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:
9:00am-3:00pm, Daily Drop-off & Pick-up at location listed above
Sample Daily Schedule:
9:00-9:15 am Check-In time
9:15-9:30 am Community and introduction to the day’s topic
9:30-10:30 am Morning Activity #1 (hike, lesson, skill development)
10:30-11:00 pm Snack Time
11:00-12:00 pm Morning Activity #2 (hike, lesson, skill development)
12:00-12:30 pm Lunch
12:30-1:30 pm Afternoon Activity #1 (hike, lesson, skill development)
1:30-2:00 pm Snack and Free Time
2:00-3:00 pm Afternoon Activity #2 (hike, lesson, skill development)
Students will engage and learn with the following activities:
Social and Community Development
Mindfulness practices
Leadership / Followership
Challenge Course
Teambuilding Games
Service-Learning Projects
Group Problem-Solving
Outdoor Skills and Experience
Fire building and safety
Basic first aid
Leave No Trace practices
Clothing and shelters
Hydration / Nutrition
Navigation and travel techniques
Place-Based Environmental Science
Flora and fauna
Colorado’s life zones
Astronomy
Weather patterns
Geology
Water Cycle
Ecological concepts
Watch this video for a walkthrough of the 2024-25 school year and what to expect!
Contact Us:
School Programs Manager - Mark McMullen Bushman (mark@blufflake.org)
