The Outdoor Science Explorers Program is a great way for kids to spend some time outside after school, exploring, playing and learning in nature. Kids will engage in activities and games that strengthen their observational skills, build self reliance and social skills, and increase their knowledge of local plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Ages: 5-11
Time: 3:00 – 5:30 pm (drop-off starts at 2:45; pick-up ends at 5:45)
Times: 2:00-4:30pm* (drop-off starts at 1:45; pick-up ends at 4:45)
*The time is following McMinnville School District’s early release schedule for elementary students.
Get your kids outside to Play, Adventure, and Learn on teacher-in-service days. We will explore parks and natural spaces around Yamhill County. Kids will play games and make observations of the plants and animals we share space with. These camps are scheduled around no school days for certain school districts but are open to all.
Ages: 5-11 years
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Dates:
We will have Spring Break Adventures in both McMinnville and Newberg. You can sign up for any or all of the days. Yep, it’s generally wet and muddy, but kids have a great time searching for and learning about all of the animals that are returning to the area as well as the plants that are just waking up after a cold winter. As always we will spend time playing games, exploring, and making discoveries.
Ages: 5-11 years
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Dates:
Back by popular demand. Nature Play is a program for children under 4 years old and their caregivers. An experienced nature educator will model how to explore the outdoors with young children and allow healthy risk taking. Activities will be guided by the children’s natural curiosity and wonder as they freely play and explore their environment.
This program takes place at the site of our Maple Grove Nature School and is a very child friendly natural space to explore.
Children must have an adult caregiver present with a maximum of two children per adult.
Ages: infant – 4 years + an adult caregiver
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Dates: April 15th & May 20th (You may register for one or both sessions)
Come explore the Maple Grove Nature Preschool site during this summer camp program for young children and an adult caregiver.
Nature Play is a program for children under the age of 4 and their caregivers. An experienced nature educator will model how to explore the outdoors with young children and allow healthy risk taking. Activities will be guided by the children’s natural curiosity and wonder as they freely play and explore their environment.
Children must have an adult caregiver present with a maximum of two children per adult.
Ages: infants – 4 years + an adult caregiver
Times: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Dates:
Each day of summer camp is structured to encourage curiosity, creative thinking, and exploration and is filled with a mix of free exploration and guided activities. Campers will discover some amazing facts about local plants and wildlife and the land we share.
Ages: 5-12 years.
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Click on the links below for camp details and to register:
Ages: 12-15
This program is perfect for the young teen who loves the camp experience and wants to share that love with younger kids while gaining some leadership experience. Jr Naturalists will participate in a camp-like training day where they will learn about local ecology, play and lead camp games, and build leadership skills. Following the training day a select few will be invited to help us for a week of summer camp.
Participants need to submit an application and be available for the training day. Submitting an application is not a guarantee of participation. OEA staff will consider all applications and select participants based on their ability to complete the application process and demonstrate follow-through.
We will begin accepting Applications May 1st, 2023.
Application Deadline: June 1, 2023 by 6:00 pm
Training Day: TBD | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Registration Fee: $65.00 (paid upon acceptance to the program to cover training and mentoring)
If your application is accepted you will be invited to register. Registering will hold your place at the training day. Following the training you will be notified if you are invited to help during a week of summer camp.
Tuition assistance is available, and payments for programs may be tax-deductible as childcare. We invite families to check out our tuition assistance options. For your records, OEA’s EIN is 82-0836935.
Serving ages 3.5 – 5.5
Registration for 2022/2023 is closed.
Contact the Nature School’s Director with questions or to be added to a waitlist.
Learn more on our Maple Grove Page.
This program has been canceled for the remainder of 2022/2023. We are considering a revamp of this offering that will make it more accessible to youth in our County. We hope to launch a revised program in fall 2023. Stay tuned.
Are your older kids ready to take on more responsibility for themselves while they stretch their desire for a little more freedom? Are they ready to learn survival skills and heighten their sense of awareness? Do you want them to get off of their screens and have some real-world adventures? Then it’s time to register for the Wilderness Explorers Club.
Ages: 11-15 years
Are you looking for an outdoor experience customized to meet the needs of your group? Whether it is an adult group of friends looking to learn a little more about the natural world or a group of kids of any age who want a little guided outdoor time we have naturalist educators ready to create a nature enrichment opportunity for you.
Contact us to design your nature experience!
© 2022 Outdoor Education Adventures. Outdoor Education Adventures is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization provides educational summer camps, field trip opportunities, spring break programs, family adventures, and outdoor school activities to the McMinnville, Oregon & surrounding Yamhill County areas.
