Expeditionary Learning

Tug on anything at all and you’ll find it connected to everything else in the universe.
~ John Muir

When we teach in places as astonishing as the Olympic Coast or paddle among whales in British Columbia with marine scientists at our side, we frame learning in a way that is powerfully alive. When middle school students stretch themselves – in new countries or on new trails – they create their own identity, built upon personal stories of experience that last their entire lives. When we integrate the study of science and cultures into active research and field study, we model a lifestyle filled with personal responsibility and wonderment.

students hike Olympic coast

 

Program Objectives

  • Facilitate self-discovery and independence through new, challenging experiences.
  • Promote empathy, compassion, and interdependence through shared group expereinces.
  • Foster a respectful relationship that incorporates awe and wonder for the natural world.
  • Develop an understanding of sustainability and our impact on the planet.
  • Inspire lifelong interst in outdoor pursuits through acquisition of technical skills and confidence.

Every Billings student participates in the Outdoor Program trips a core of our middle school curriculum.

During their three years students will:

  • Backpack
  • Camp
  • Alpine ski/snowboard
  • Snowshoe
  • Rock climb
  • Snow camp
  • Learn wilderness survival skills
  • Learn backcountry navigation skills
  • Participate in service work
  • Be exposed to otehr regions and people in the Pacific Northwest

Expeditionary Learning in the Curriculum

6th adn 7th grade students have weekly GO (Green Lake Outdoors) classes. The curriculum of this class includes routine group activity outside, place-based environmental science, and technical skills needed for other Outdoor Program trips. Outdoor education is a core part of students' weekly routine. This opportunity promotes a greater awareness of our local environment as well as develops a school culture of with values of exploration adn wonder for our world.

40 Nights in the Field

Over three years at Billings, student trips include:

  • Orientation on Orcas Island
  • Travel Study to Vancouver B.C.
  • Service Learning on Whidbey Island
  • Overnight Ski School at Mt. Baker
  • Hiking & Ecology Study on the Olympic Coast
  • Archeology & Rafting in central Washington
  • Social Enterprise Trip to Ilwaco, WA
  • Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR

40 Days in the City

Extensive field trips include our on-going science and service partnerships:

  • Discovery Park Native Plant Recovery
  • University of Washington
  • iEARN: International Education & Resource Network
  • Indo-American Environment Leadership Program
  • Fulbright Memorial Fund Master Teacher Program
  • Teaching Tolerance

And Beyond...

Billings offers numerous summer and curricular trip experiences specifically for individuals 11-15 years old. These trips are designed to broaden perspectives, introduce new cltures, and examine connections to the larger community. Our students travel, hike, kayak, work, play, explore, and learn in a multitide of places.

Travel Study & Service Trips have included:

  • Hurricane Relief to New Orleans, LA 2006 - click here for more information
  • Washington D.C. & Colonial Williamsburg
  • New York City
  • Cross-country bus and train to Chicago & the Midwest

Outdoor Adventure Trips have included:

  • Kayaking with Orca whales in Johnstone Strait, B.C.
  • Horse Packing in Winthrop, WA
  • Hiking the Juan de Fuca Trail on Vancouver Island, B.C.
  • Summit glacier trip to Mt. Olympus
  • Rock Climbing to Smith Rock, OR