Berkshire Outdoor Science School Program |
The Berkshire Outdoor Science School Program (BOSS) is an educational program for schools that wish to encourage interest in science, environmental awareness and other aspects of our Outdoor Education programs in an intense, academic (outdoor) setting. Programs are primarily academic science, integrating social development through community living. Berkshire Outdoor Science School can be a three day or a five day program.
Overarching Philosophy
The Berkshire Outdoor Science School will give students the opportunity to bring learning from the classroom, into the outdoors. Students will be engaged in hands-on, experimental learning in an outdoor environment instilling a sense of appreciation and better understanding for the earth.
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The Berkshire Outdoor Science School incorporates a strong emphasis on science and environmental stewardship with recreational, leadership, and historical aspects linked to the program.
A typical day at the Berkshire Outdoor Science School consists of a morning activity period, two afternoon activity periods, and a large group evening activity. The morning activities will be chosen by the teacher prior to the visit from a list of science and leadership classes. These classes will be taught in trail groups that are also assigned by the teacher, and each trail group will be assigned its own Berkshire Outdoor Science School instructor. The goal of the morning activity is to inspire a sense of community within the group of students and to explore and learn about the natural world. For instance, one morning the students might examine how the relationships of animals in a forest affect the ecosystem, or they might spend the morning learning about teamwork and cooperation on the low ropes course.
The afternoon activities are designed to give the students a choice based on their own learning interests. Each afternoon a different set of classes will be offered to the students. Not every student will take every class; however, every student will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of classes that should peak their interest. These classes may be chosen by the teachers from our list of class electives that are offered or the afternoon classes can be left in the hands of the Berkshire Outdoor Science School instructors. The evening activities cover a wide range of topics and tend to focus on the entire group as a community. Examples of some evening activities are campfires, night experiences, the Underground Railroad, Alpha Beta, or a Science Fair. The evening activities aim to promote a sense of community, international understanding and cooperation, concern for others and respect for individual differences. Common goals include – improving self-esteem, confidence and self-image; working together; recognizing other individuals as components of the entire community; developing appreciation of the individuality and uniqueness of individuals within the group; gain an understanding of what education has to offer. The program is created in conjunction with the curriculum and goals of the school. The program also emphasizes the arts. |
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Activity Options and Daily Schedule |
Science
- Forest Ecology
- Pond Probe
- Beaver Ecology
- Predator/Prey
- The Lorax
- Animal Adaptations
- Berkshire Wildlife
- Habitat Hospitality
- Furry Friends
- Reptile Roundup
- Avian Adventures
- Burma Bridge
- Tree Identification
- Animal Ecology
- Animal Tracking
- Winter Tree Identification
- Winter Lake Study
- Orienteering
- Outdoor Living Skills
- Winter Orienteering
- Reading the Woods
- Map Making
- Exploration Hike
- Garbage Dissection/Recycled Ort
- Stalking
- Wildflower Identification
- Bog Walk
- Energy Conservation
- Geodome
Leadership & Cooperation
- Teambuilding
- Low Ropes
- Catapult
- The Beast
- High Ropes
Enrichment
- Alpine Tower
- Climbing Tower
- Canoeing and Kayaking
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Tubing
- Ice Skating
- Snowshoeing
- Archery
- Crab Soccer
- Dutch Auction
History
- Cemetery Walk/Scavenger Hunt
- Brewster House Tour
- Underground Railroad
- Broom Making
- Weaving
- Candle Making
- Paper Making
- Pioneer Games
- Pioneer Tin Craft
- Fire Building
- Apple Crisp
- Apple Cider
- Gingerbread
- Native American Games
- Native American Sign Language
- Native American Pictograms
- Native American Tools and Weapons
- Pottery
Evening Activities (Large Group Activities)
- Campfire
- Night Experience
- Underground Railroad
- Alpha Beta
- Science Fair
- Folk Dance
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7:15am - Wake Up
8:15am - Breakfast
9:00am - Cabin Cleaning & Free Time
9:30am - Morning Activities
11:30am - Free Time
12:00pm - Lunch
1:00pm - Free Time
1:15pm - Afternoon Activity 1
3:00pm - Afternoon Activity 2
5:00pm - Free Choice Recreational Activities
6:00pm - Dinner
7:30pm - Evening Activity followed by snack
Arrival and Departure
- Groups can arrive any time on the first day and depart any time on the last day (either day 3 or day 5 - depending on the length of stay).
- Following the group's arrival there will be an orientation and group 'icebreaker' games. Following this, the students will be able to move into their lodging.
- Prior to departure on the last day, there will be a large group gathering and debrief of their stay.
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Length of Stay |
Due to the nature of the Berkshire Outdoor Science School, we require that schools select either a three day or a five day stay.
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Other Details of the Program |
The large majority of the classes we offer have a scientific focus; however, the mid-week activities are geared more towards historical events that took place in the surrounding areas. In the morning investigative activity, students will tour the 220-year-old home of Oliver William and Jerusha Badger Brewster, to learn about the history of Camp Chimney Corners and to introduce them to the Underground Railroad. During the afternoon investigation, students will be able to choose from classes that are based upon Pioneer Living, Pioneer Cooking, Native American Living, and Outdoor Living Skills. The end of the day is rounded out by the Underground Railroad experience where the students travel as runaway slaves seeking freedom, bringing history to life.
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